Page 30 of Taken By the Duke of Stone

"Find away," she replied, eyes locked on his, "I'm an open book, Your Grace."

"I also prefer life in the country."

Which meant that they were going to be living under one roof, and most likely with just a wall separating them. Or would she be banished to the other wing of the house? Did she want to be so close to him? Going to bed each night just knowing he was on the other side.

It was only then that she realized they had found their way into a dark alcove, partially hidden by one of the thick pillars that encircled the room.

"Do you have dogs?" she blurted out.

He looked taken aback for a second. "Yes, but I have no fondness for the beasts. Georgianna found them half dead in the woods and brought them home. She's got a dire case of a bleeding heart."

Lavinia laughed. "Truly? How many are they? What are their names? I've always wanted dogs but my aunt dislikes them, they make her sick."

"There are three of them and about their names, you will have to ask my sister. I've never concerned myself with such things," he made a face, "They scratch up the furniture and make an awful amount of noise. Worst of all, they completely ignore Georgianna and insist on following me everywhere."

Her mouth curled up into a fond smile, "You play the brute so well."

The Duke glared at her, very much unamused, "There is nothing feigned about my dislike for those three."

She couldn't help but laugh, entertained by how disgruntled he looked.

"There you are," someone said, approaching them, "This is quite a romantic scene."

They hurriedly pulled away from each other and Lavinia looked over the Duke's shoulder to see Lord Dillon staring at them curiously. Even though their interaction had been completely innocent, Lavinia felt her cheeks heating up like they had been caught doing something bad.

There was also the slightest bit of annoyance at being interrupted, which made no sense.

"My lord," she dropped into a curtsy.

"I had better start getting used to calling you Your Grace," he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Did you need something?" Victor asked curtly and the Viscount turned to him with barely concealed surprise.

"I came to congratulate the happy couple and get away from some people who believe your new and sudden marriage fever must have affected me too."

She managed to chuckle, "if you'll excuse me, I must go back to my aunt. I have dithered enough."

The Duke opened his mouth to say something and then promptly snapped his mouth back closed. She could have sworn he was going to protest against her leaving. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.

But as she crossed the room back to her aunt's side, she couldn't help but wonder if she wasn't the only one who hadn't wanted their conversation to end.

Lavinia looked over her shoulder and met those intense blue eyes, staring right at her and paying no attention whatsoever to the man before him. The breath froze in her throat and she quickly snapped her head away.

"Are you alright?" Lady Hartfield asked her, "you look rather flushed."

"I'm alright."

Even as she replied, she could feel his heavy gaze on her like hot poker pressing against her skin. It stayed that way for the rest of the night.

CHAPTER 10

"The green dress will bring out the color of your eyes, dear," Her Aunt said the next day as she stood in the middle of her room in just her petticoat.

"You do not think it makes me look washed out?" She took the dress from the lady's maid and held it up in front of her. It was an apple green color with a bit of lace lining the throat and the ends of the sleeves. A darker green sash made a bow around the waist.

"Not at all."

"Very well then," she nodded at the servant then handed the dress back to her, "This one please."

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