Befuddled by their overlap, Gabriella allowed a helpless smile, and then tried again. “I should probably go.”
“Of course.”
She turned away, ignoring her heart’s wish to stay.
“You look very pretty today,” he called after her. His voice was shallow, the compliment so unexpected that she couldn’t help but look back at him. His eyes caught hers and the edge of his mouth lifted. “Beautiful.”
“I . . .” She shook her head. “You don’t have to say that.” She couldn’t bear the thought of him making her believe that she was anything but plain.
He shrugged one shoulder. “I know. But I thought it was time for me to tell you that I quite like looking at you.”
I quite like looking at you. The words vibrated through her.
She stepped back further, suddenly more afraid than she’d ever been before in her life. Because here stood a man—the most incredible specimen she’d ever seen—and he was telling her that he thought she was beautiful. That he quite liked looking at her. And she was tempted—tempted to let herself wish for something she’d never allowed herself to wish for before—tempted to bask in the joy of his appreciation—tempted to turn her back on her responsibilities just as her sister had done.
Dear God. What was she thinking? It was just a compliment, for heaven’s sake. Nothing more. “Th . . . thank you,” she said, then added, “My eyes are too big and my mouth too wide.” Other girls had made her aware of her flaws years ago.
He nodded. “A strange combination and yet so lovely.”
Was he mocking her?
“Are you mocking me?” She had to know.
“No.” The word rumbled out from somewhere deep inside his chest. “I was just making fun.”
“Of my appearance?” Of course he was. So many others had done. Why would he be any different?
“Oh no, love, not of something so perfect. Just . . . your nerves seem a bit frayed, so I thought to ease the tension. I’m sorry if I offended you.” He puffed out a breath. Scratched the back of his head. Eyed her carefully.
She stood completely still now, unable to move or to gather her thoughts. What had he said? That her looks were perfect?
Something like that.
It seemed impossible. Incomprehensible. It made her feel like laughing.
Instead she simply smiled.
He kept on looking at her until he was smiling as well—grinning almost. “Do you know how tempted I am to kiss you right now?”
The question was so astonishing it landed like a punch to Gabriella’s senses. She almost stumbled from the shock of it. “You . . . you . . .” Oh God, she didn’t know what to say, except, Yes please. I think I’d like that. And then what? Break her engagement to Fielding just as her sister had broken hers to Bellmore? Add fuel to the scandal her sister had started? Disappoint her parents? Marry Huntley? Heavens, he said he wanted to kiss her, not marry her. What was she thinking?
“I . . . I . . .” She retreated a few steps. “I have to go.”
He didn’t comment, simply watched her with curious eyes as she moved closer to the door leading back to her garden.
Reaching it, she gave Huntley one last glance and then flung it open. Hurrying back to her house as fast as her feet could carry her, she dared not contemplate the feelings the Duke of Huntley had stirred in her as he’d stood before her just now, bare chested, and with thoughts of kissing. To do so would be dangerous territory indeed.
Chapter 13
Returning upstairs to his bedroom with a brisk stride that made his boots click sharply against the marble floor, Raphe waited for the footmen and maids preparing his bath to leave before shedding his breeches and smalls. Christ, what a morning. And it wasn’t over yet. Lady Gabriella would be back soon to tutor his sisters.
He thought of her as he sank into the warm water. Yes, she was dazzling and yes, she was tempting, her luscious lips inviting him to imagine all sorts of naughtiness. But it was more than that. It wasn’t all physical. His attraction was also based on her stalwart determination to defy her parents in the name of something that mattered more to her than their censure—namely doing what she believed to be right. Her kindness toward his sisters and her willingness to face all kinds of disaster on their behalf exceeded anything he’d ever experienced or witnessed before. Selfless. That’s what she was. And then there were her quirks—her peculiar fondness for insects. He couldn’t help but smile. Most women would prefer a puppy or a kitten. Not Lady Gabriella though.
Lathering himself with soap, he pondered her reaction to his complimenting her looks. She’d doubted his sincerity. That much had been obvious. The question was why? Why didn’t Lady Gabriella realize how gorgeous she was? Her face was delicately shaped but with strong features, her body slim and lithe, perfectly proportioned—her breasts, he’d noticed, not too big or too small. And her bottom . . . for heaven’s sake, he could not shake the vision he’d had of it. Could not stop himself from wondering what it might look like without several layers of fabric draped over it.
Indecent.
That was what he was. He set the soap aside and lowered himself further into the water, washing away the suds. What if some man were having such lewd contemplations about one of his sisters?
