“I’m sure that’s not a place you often find yourself.”
“To say the least.”
Suddenly, that same amused smile played at her beautifully shaped lips again, and it irritated the hell out of him. So much for his and Morgan’s thinking she’d be horrified at being left alone to sip her tea for the better part of an hour.
“Do you mind if we speak alone?” she asked.
She was full of surprises.
“No, of course not. I’m more than willing if you are sure you are comfortable with that.”
“Your Grace?” the duchess’s companion said, moving to stand closer to her. “Are you sure you want me to leave the room?”
“I am. The rain has stopped. Perhaps you could take a short walk in the garden.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The woman’s spine stiffened, and her shoulders lifted as she turned and marched out of the room.
The duchess turned back to him and smiled again. Race’s heart fluttered so fast he felt thunderstruck. What the devil was that feeling all about? And why was he so sensitive to every move she made?
She was the most intriguing woman he’d ever met. And it had nothing to do with her being a duchess. Because of his cousin Blake, Race had been around dukes and duchesses all his life, and he wasn’t awed by them as were most of the people in Polite Society. Her Grace’s beauty was very appealing, but that wasn’t what unnerved him, either. He often had the pleasure of spending time with beautiful women.
She unsettled him because of her poise, her self-confidence, her regal manner. She was simply alluring, and when he looked at her, he was completely enthralled. His fingers itched to touch her. He had never met anyone so captivating. Everything about her told him that with her, he had met his match.
“I believe I owe you an apology for arriving at your home unannounced.”
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t apologize often, Duchess?”
He saw a brief look of admiration flash in her eyes.
“I’m sorry that in my eagerness to speak to you I rushed right past my good sense as if I had none. I should have written and asked for an appointment to see you.”
“That’s difficult to dispute. I admit to being a little astonished that you didn’t.”
A soft smile lifted just one corner of her lips. “Only a little?”
She was teasing him.All right, it surprised him a damned lot!
The duchess was controlling their conversation, and he seldom let that happen with anyone other than his two cousins. She was too confident, too beautiful, and too desirable.
His gaze focused fully on hers, and in a more relaxed tone he said, “Tell me what I can do for you, Your Grace.”
“I’m here because you possess something that belongs to my family, and I want it back now.”
Race went still. That proclamation raised the hair on the back of his neck. He couldn’t have been more shocked if she had suddenly slapped him.
What kind of accusation was that? You have something that belongs to my family, and I want it.
What astonishing nerve she had.
Race grinned, and then he laughed. She was truly an amazingly strong-willed lady who had no problem speaking her mind. He appreciated the courage he sensed in her, but he couldn’t let her get away with being so brash.
His laughter caused the first crack in her overconfident demeanor. She bristled noticeably. It made him feel damned good to finally see her rattled.
“I’m sorry for laughing, Your Grace.”
She lifted her chin a notch to counter his arrogance. “No, you aren’t.” Her voice was taut and steady. There was a determined set to her lips and genuineness in her eyes that gave him a moment’s pause, but only a moment.
“All right, I’m not. I must admit you have amused me greatly.”
