Page 86 of Dukes for Dessert

“You’re obnoxious and rigid. I don’t think you have it in you to do what’s necessary to entice a woman to wed you.”

“You don’t think Lady Marina plays any role in this? She’s perhaps less interested in this union than I am. At least I try to draw her into conversation. She behaves as if I’m anathema.”

“So it’s her fault that you’re a complete boor?”

He winced, hating that his goddess thought so poorly of him.

She arched a brow at him and set a hand on her hip. “Perhaps you don’t feel a connection with Marina because you’re incapable of feeling that for anyone. Have you considered that?”

“I don’t have to,” he said softly. “I do feel a connection with someone. In fact, she drives me mad with her giddy smiles and forthright demeanor. I want to learn every single thing about her even though I shouldn’t. More than anything, I want to kiss her and see if she’ll taste as divine as I expect.”

As he spoke, Juno’s eyes went from narrowed to round. Her face paled shade by shade until she was the color of fine bone porcelain. “You can’t mean…me?”

He moved toward her, his pulse thrumming as his body sang with want. “I can, and I do.”

6

Juno froze as the duke invaded the space directly in front of her—far too close for a gentleman to come. She ought to move the basket she held between them, but didn’t. Because her heart was beating frantically, and her breath was coming faster and faster.

He wanted to kiss her. She hadn’t considered that. Not because she didn’t find him attractive. She just hadn’t allowed herself to think of him in that way. But now that was all she could think of. His lips covering hers, his hands touching her—

She shook her head. “That would be bad.”

He stopped moving, one dark brow shooting up. “Bad?”

“You need to court my charge—Lady Marina. You should make her your duchess.”

“I’ve already explained that I doubt the match will be acceptable to either of us,” he said patiently.

He seemed utterly at ease, while she worried about her ability to catch her breath. He was the most frustrating man!

The sound of the door opening and voices in conversation carried from the other end of the orangery. They both snapped their heads in that direction before looking at each other.

“I thought I saw another door in the corner,” he said, moving swiftly past the orange trees.

She followed him, clutching the basket with both hands. Thankfully, there was a door, because the voices were moving closer.

He opened it, and unfortunately, it was only a cupboard for gardening implements. “Do we go inside or explain to whoever is coming why we’re here and Lady Marina is not?”

Juno swore under her breath and hurriedly preceded him into the cupboard. He stepped in behind her and closed the door.

Darkness didn’t descend, for there was a window high on the wall opposite the door. She held the basket in front of her, a sad shield between them. A shield? It was necessary, she reasoned. He’d said he wanted to kiss her. And she was not opposed. Indeed, the idea had rooted deep within her and taken hold.

She forced herself to listen to the conversation outside the closet. They were also looking for an orange. Hopefully, they would soon be on their way.

Juno let her gaze drift to his. His dark stare was fixed on her, coaxing the heat inside her to build. The small closet suddenly felt quite hot. She pressed one hand to her cheek and let the basket fall to her side, loose in her grip.

The voices outside began to diminish, as if they were returning to the house.

“I did try with Lady Marina,” the duke said quietly. “Whatever you think of me, I did try. I realize I’m not the most charming of gentlemen.” His mouth lifted in a small, self-deprecating smile, and it completely melted her.

He was an attractive man, but with a smile, he was absolutely captivating. She couldn’t look away.

The smile began to fade. “What?”

“You did it again,” she whispered. “Smiled. Why?”

“Because you’re here.”

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