Page 94 of Dukes for Dessert

“I don’t want to walk to the village with everyone.”

“But you invited me to walk today. In fact, that’s why I came downstairs.”

Another flash of surprise, but different from the previous—there was a spark in his gaze too. Anticipation, perhaps. “Is it?”

“Now I wonder if I should find someone else to walk with.”

“No,” he said quickly. “I just… This is not the walk I had planned.”

She cocked her head to the side. “What did you have planned?”

“Just the two of us.”

“I see.” She thought of what he’d said the night before about not being able to tolerate so many people and about not liking to change plans. “What if we walk behind everyone else?”

He relaxed, his shoulders dipping. She could see some of the tension leave his frame.

“Why are you so very rigid?”

“I like routine. I like knowing what’s expected.”

“You don’t like surprises, and this spontaneous activity has set you off-kilter.”

Appreciation warmed his gaze. “You understand.”

“I think I do.”

A smile teased his lips, and she wished he would just outright grin. He was even more handsome when those flashes of humor lit his face. If he allowed it to take over, she suspected the effect would be devastating.

Cecilia came toward them. “Ready, then? We’re going to leave in a few minutes. Unfortunately, Lord Cosford isn’t able to join us due to an emergency with one of his horses.”

The duke’s brow furrowed. “I hope everything is all right. Does he need any help?”

“I’m sure all will be well. Thank you for your concern, Duke.” She inclined her head toward him, then departed.

Juno was a bit surprised she hadn’t lingered. She rather expected Cecilia would want to walk with her, which would ruin the duke’s revised expectations. Perhaps she wouldn’t. And if she did, well, Juno would deal with that problem when and if it arose.

She turned to him as the others began to leave the drawing room. “I suppose we should be on our way.”

“I’m amazed you’re able to perceive me so well.”

She cast him a sly look as they waited for everyone to precede them from the room. “I’m not sure that’s flattering.”

“I only mean that you’re so different from me. You aren’t rigid—I believe that’s the word you used—at all. You’re cheerful and charming, obviously quite comfortable with any number of people around you. I wonder if you thrive on it.”

“I do. Somewhat. I’m always keen for a reprieve.” She sent a look toward the last of the guests leaving and whispered, “Especially with Society types.”

He laughed. “Am I not a Society type?”

She stared at his face, shining with amusement. Absolutely devastating. “Oh, do that again.”

“What?”

“Laugh. Promise me you’ll do it again before the day is over.”

“With you beside me, I’d say that’s a great possibility. I don’t recall the last time someone provoked me to laughter.” He looked at her in bemusement. “That’s what I mean—we’re so very different. You are light, the very sun, while I am darkness. Not even the moon, for that can glow brightly. Rather a void.”

She frowned at him. “You can’t think that about yourself. You are certainly not a void.” She grasped his forearm and gave him a squeeze. “See? You’re flesh and bone, a man.” Suddenly, she was thinking of him in the most primal way.

---