Page 41 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

She ran a hand over her hair and dress, and feeling nothing was out of place, she suddenly didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Richard, I think we should head back. They might?—”

“We’ll go back in a minute,” he said, voice sounding strained.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, suddenly worried. “Are you hurt?”

“Not exactly, no.” He laughed softly. “You just surprised me, that’s all.”

“How?”

“You kiss well,” he stated plainly, as if she wouldn’t be ruined if they were overheard. “I am almost tempted to ask if this wasn’t your first kiss.”

She blushed hotly and was grateful for the darkness. “I assume that means I don’t need more lessons.”

He stepped closer to her, and her heart beat a little faster with anticipation. Her lips parted as she tried to catch her breath.

“You make a very tempting point, Miss Burlow,” he whispered, but he stepped back after barely brushing her lips with his. “Come. It’s best we head back now.”

She nodded and accepted his proffered hand, her other hand reaching up to rest above her racing heart.

Once inside the ballroom, her eyes subconsciously tracked his movements, noting every graceful slide of his body, and when hewinked at her from across the room, she knew she had well and truly fallen for him.

Damn.

She moved into a hidden alcove, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. She already knew that Richard in no way fit in the future she wanted for herself, and allowing him to continue to lead her down their current path would only set her up for unnecessary heartache.

If she wanted to live the quiet life she’d always wanted, she would have to end whatever this was between them before it was too late.

Chapter Thirteen

As Emmy tried to appropriately name the cutlery she’d spread out on the table, Catherine tried not to be distracted by the fact that she wanted to end her arrangement with Richard.

If she kept a constant appearance in their townhouse, she wasn’t sure she would be able to maintain her stand on ending their forbidden relationship, and she knew very well that there were always new heights of ruination to be attained. With a man like Richard, who had no inhibitions, she didn’t think her self-control could last.

She was grateful to hear that he wouldn’t be back till late as he had some business matters to attend to.

“No, Emmy,” she corrected for the fifth time. “That is the salad fork.”

Emmy nodded and tried again, but she made the same mistake and kept looking over her shoulder at the door as if expecting someone.

Usually, she was always focused and even excited about their lessons, but the girl looked somewhat distracted, as though something was weighing heavily on her mind.

“Is something wrong Emmy?” Catherine asked softly. “You don’t seem your usual self today.”

“No!” Emmy answered, wringing her hands. Then, as if realizing she was overreacting, she added softly, “No, nothing’s wrong.”

Catherine smiled at her friend. “You know you can tell me anything, right, Emmy?” she soothed, placing a hand on hers.

“Oh, Cathy,” Emmy sighed, squeezing her hand. “I am worried about Richard.”

Oh? Catherine was not expecting that.

“Has something happened to him?”

“No, not at all,” Emmy answered, shaking her head. “I just worry he’ll be upset with me when he finds out what I’ve been doing.”

“Emmy… should I be worried?”

---