“Many coachmen are not opposed to receiving gratuities in return for their helpfulness.”
“In other words, you bribed my brother’s servant.”
“I suspect your brother would have told me for free, but I did not want to create trouble between the two of you.” He once more surveyed the chamber. “It is a handsome library.”
“Thank you. I like it. I have some changes to make and was attempting to do so when you arrived. Actually, you can help.”
“I would be happy to do so.”
She pointed to the second chair, then the new spot where she wanted it to go. “I need that moved to there. My maid and I managed the first one, but she rebelled at lifting the second.”
“She showed more sense than you did. You should not be lifting furniture.” With two strides he faced the chair. He moved it right where she told him.
She should thank him, and be more polite. Only he had accompanied his help with a scold, and she thought that negated her obligations. Only it didn’t. She wished she could pretend he did not fluster her. Only he did. Enough that she had some trouble maintaining her cool disdain and thinking clearly enough to find a way to get him out the door.
“Thank you.”
He acknowledged that with a bare nod before pacing the length of the library and gazing out the back French windows. “You bought this, I assume.”
“Why do you think so?”
“The furniture is too fine for a house that you let. No one would risk these drapes to the care of tenants. They are not utilitarian but speak of the taste of a woman denied the indulgence of her wardrobe for a while.”
His interpretation of the drapes proved very accurate. She had relished the chance to choose the fabric and trim and consult on the style.
“The furnishings also mean that you have owned it a while too, even if you only now have taken residence.”
“I do not know why you are wasting your superb talents of perception on me and my humble abode, Duke.”
“I am wondering why you bought this house if you did not intend to live in it. It is idle curiosity on my part, nothing more.”
Not too idle, from the look he gave her.
She really shouldn’t. Truly she ought not. But—“You have found me out. I needed a secret place to meet my lover.”
“Ah. Well, we cannot have that now.” He walked back through the room, his attention all on her. “I will have to post a guard at the door to discourage such visits. Should no lover arrive, I am left with the conclusion you spoke of the future, and of me.”
He stood too close now, looking down in a way that did not bode well for her composure. She was determined, however, not to make a fool out of herself the way she had in the park. “That is a shocking thing for you to say. It is bad enough for you to make assumptions regarding a marriage. It is far worse to imply what you just did.”
“If you would prefer marriage to a love affair, the offer still stands. However, if you are set against it, as you claim, I will accommodate your desire.”
She never found herself speechless, but she did now because she could not conjure up a good response. How had she allowed him to trap her between two options that consisted of the same thing, only one was honorable and one not? It did not help that his eyes all but glowed when he added thataccommodate your desirepart. She could not ignore the double entendre, nor the way an unhelpful thrill streaked through her body.
He appeared amused at her predicament. “This house will be convenient in either case.”
“It would not be appropriate for you to call on me here with any frequency, if that is what you mean.” She stammered it out. She felt as though a cloud had entered her head.
He reached out and softly stroked her lips. Only then did she realize they were trembling. She was being an idiot again but could not stop, especially since that feathery touch felt very nice and made her face and neck tingle.
“I will be very discreet. There will be no scandal. However, I like the idea of visiting you here, where the dowager and your brother cannot interfere.”
Interfere with what?She had no idea if she said it or thought it.
“With this.” He bent until his lips met hers.
That kiss stunned her in the best way. Marvelous little sensations multiplied while vague observations floated in her dulled mind. She marveled at how surprisingly soft his lips were, and how he did not merely press her mouth but made impish nips and movements that increased the enchantment. She noted when he took her head in his hands and held her to his exploration. She enjoyed too much when those hands dropped and embraced her until she pressed his body and felt the tension in him. Then she was accepting kisses to her neck and chest and caresses down her body.
He intends to seduce me. She did not know how that thought emerged, but it was in her head while Stratton lured her deeper with pleasure. Stratton.The Duke of Stratton. Some of the cloud dispersed while that name fixated in her mind.
