Page 247 of Dukes for Dessert

She kissed him back not as if they’d just seen each other yesterday, but as though the two weeks that remained should only be spent in each other’s arms.

He could not agree more.

When at last their lips parted, her hazel eyes gazed up at him from beneath her lashes. “I’m sorry I had to run off to meet my father.”

“Don’t be,” Adam said, and meant it. Last night, he’d already added

* * *

Thoughtful

Puts family first

* * *

to his list of required qualities in a future bride.

“Besides,” he added, “it gave me extra time to refine my flirting techniques.”

She lifted a brow. “It’s been one night, and already your technique is ‘refined?’”

He nodded. “I made a chart.”

“A chart of what?” she asked suspiciously.

“Opening lines.” He affected an innocent expression. “I’ll be the Duke of Azureford, you be Deborah Debutante. Ready?” He made an exquisite bow, then lowered his voice dramatically. “Why, Miss Deborah, your hand looks so heavy… Shall I hold it for you?”

Carole burst out laughing. “Do not incorporate that into your introductions.”

“Brr.” He hugged himself and gave an exaggerated shudder. “I must be a Christmas snowflake, because I’ve fallen for you.”

She covered her face with her hands. “No. Absolutely not.”

He pulled her hands from her face and gazed down at her soulfully. “May I borrow an atlas? I keep getting lost in your eyes.”

“If she has an atlas, she’ll hit you with it,” Carole said warningly.

He stroked his chin as if in deep thought. “Kiss me if I’m wrong, but… we’re betrothed, right?”

She was laughing too hard to kiss him, but she tried to anyway. “You’ll never be betrothed. You’ll lose your Almack’s voucher if the patronesses hear you. You’re going to be the first duke spinster.”

He pretended to be offended. “If you don’t want my kisses, just return them!”

She swatted his shoulder, then stepped past him toward the dining room. “When will Thurston’s crew arrive?”

Adam started to follow, then froze in place. Her long blond hair had been plaited to loop about her head in five golden rings. Because naturally it had. At this point, he was surprised she didn’t arrive with five gold rings on each finger.

Carole glanced over her shoulder as if she’d sensed him paused to stare. “Is it the hair? I told Judith it was too much. She loves braiding the way some women love chocolate.”

“Or pear tarts,” he added wisely.

“You’re right.” She tapped the side of her chin. “If a blizzard blew through the village and I could only rescue one thing from this cottage… it would have to be your chef.”

He clutched his chest. “You wound me! I am wounded!”

“Wait until your billiard table arrives,” she said with a wicked smile. “Then you’ll witness true destruction.”

Little did she know the devastation had already begun. Spending the past few weeks with her had cracked a hole in who he thought he was, and what he believed himself capable of. He’d just been bantering, for God’s sake. With her, he forgot to be shy.

---