Page 4 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

She made her way into the room and plopped down on a plush sofa in front of an unlit fireplace. The smell of smoke hung heavy in the air, and she took in a deep breath. She always enjoyed reading in front of a roaring fire. She closed her eyes and took one more deep breath, settling into the comfort of the quiet.

“I think it would be wise if, upon entering a room, looking for solitude, one should make sure it is not occupied. Unless you want company, that is.”

Jenny’s eyes flew open at the deep baritone that floated from a darkened corner of the library. Apparently, the room was lit enough to see the furniture but not enough to see the stranger sitting in the corner.

CHAPTER 2

Jenny jumped up from the sofa and stumbled towards the door out of pure instinct.

She pressed her hand to her thundering heart. She couldn’t quite determine where the voice came from. She squinted as she slowly spun in a circle, trying to see into the corners of the room.

Finally, her eyes landed on a dark figure sitting in a chair in the far corner of the library. She couldn’t make much out of the form other than broad shoulders and long legs.

“Oh!You scared me. I had no idea this room was occupied.” She took a deep breath and then released it before continuing. “Do you wish me to leave?”

She waited for an answer from the sitting shadow, but none came.

“Hello?”

Was someone there? She did hear someone, didn’t she?

The shadow shifted.

Definitely not alone.

“Um, if you don’t mind, could we sit in silence together? I promise not to bother you. I just needed a short break from the ball.” She waved her hand towards the door with a laugh.

Nothing. The stranger continued to sit there, staring at her. At least itfeltas if he was staring at her. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could feel them on her.

“So… I’m, um, I’m just going to sit back down if that’s alright with you.”

As Jenny sat, the stranger rose and moved towards her. She watched as he closed in on her. Her previous nonchalance was quickly replaced with uncertainty. She looked nervously at the door and began to calculate the distance in her head. Then, after a nerve-wracking moment, she shook her head.

Lady Staunton would never invite dangerous people to her home… would she?

Jenny squared her shoulders and stood back up. She thought better on her feet. Plus, didn’t she just tell Lord Banefield that she could handle her own in situations such as these?

“Is there an issue?” She mentally cursed the tremor in her voice.

The intolerable man said nothing but continued to stalk towards her until he was standing right in front of her. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over her, but she couldn’t help but notice that a small flicker of interest bloomed in her chest. In the moonlight, she couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, and for a brief moment, she regretted not knowing their true color. She felt captivated by them.

Her breathing quickened as he took her in. Her mind was surprisingly quiet as she waited for him to say or do anything.

She licked her lips in anticipation.

His eyes followed that small movement, and his lips curled into a wicked smile that sent a wave of heat through her body.

“I’m not one for propriety, but I do know that being alone with a man is frowned upon. Are you willing to risk it for a moment ofsolitude?”

His voice was deep and soothing, and Jenny found herself wanting to say something just to hear what he’d say next.

She waved off his concern. “I’m not worried about that. After all, if we both want peace and quiet, then there is nothing to cause alarm even if someone were to open the door and find us here. Besides, I doubt you’ll do anything untoward to me, with a ballroom full of people just outside the door.”

The man tilted his head to the side ever so lightly.

Jenny hesitated at the small gesture before continuing, her voice breathier than before. “You were enjoying the solitude, and nothing has changed that. Consider me another piece of furniture—forget I’m here.”

The man took another step closer to her, causing her to step back, and the back of her legs hit the sofa. He cocked his head and leaned in. “And what, my darling girl, makes you think I will not dosomethingto you?” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

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