He had to search his memory. “A woman. A whore. I think I was seventeen. At that age, young men are hard and quick, and she showed me there were other ways to take care of—”
He was not sure what word to use. Normally he would not even talk about this with a woman, lady or whore. His utter contentment at the moment permitted it.
“To take care of fairness?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for that.”
“Only that? Not for keeping my word?”
“Oh. Yes. Of course. Thank you for that too.”
He laughed, and she did too.
“Inconvenient however, as you said,” she added.
He flipped her onto her back and rose on one arm so he could look at her. He traced around her neck, then along the side of one breast with his fingertips. “You are far more than passable. You should know that. I am not lying to flatter you.”
Her lids lowered.
He continued his strokes. The way the light showed her form captivated him. “What are you afraid of? It is in you all the time when you are with me. I sense it trying to interfere with your contentment even now.”
She looked up at him but did not answer.
“Are you in fear of your safety? Are you . . . misused in some way?” He sensed that she yearned to confide. “If you are, I can help you. You would be amazed how much influence a duke has.”
“I would not be surprised. I assume your power is untold.”
“Let us just say that people listen to us. I do not like to think of you living in fear of an abusive relative or someone who uses threats to—” To have his way with you. He did not know why that notion entered his head. Perhaps the way she’d embraced the freedom of the passion tonight had planted the idea that she might not be inexperienced so much as normally unwilling.
“No man is having his way with me,” she said evenly. “Not now. Except you. Tonight.”
The tonight sounded clearly.Onlytonight.
“I have not had my way with you. Remember?”
“Close.”
“I assure you, close is not nearly the same. Release me from my promise, and I will gladly show you what I mean.”
“That would be . . . unwise.” He sensed she almost said something more affirmative. Her brow puckered again. “You mean it was unpleasant for you? I did not realize it would be.”
He laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “It was very pleasant. However, also imperfect because it was incomplete.”
“You expect perfection? Dukes have high standards.”
“There is no reason to do something if you don’t do it well. I was taught that by my father. He had other somethings in mind, of course.”
“Ducal somethings, I suppose.”
“All kinds of somethings. Just not this something. At least I don’t think so. I will have to ponder that, though. It never before occurred to me that it was a sly exhortation to sensual perfection along with the other somethings. If so, my admiration for the man increases tenfold.”
He settled alongside her and tucked her close. After a moment of awkward stiffness, she relaxed into him.
“You are entrancing when deprived of your armor, shepherdess.”
“I thought my name was Alice. And I expect any woman is more entrancing naked than clothed.”
