Page 60 of The Duke's Virgin

“Nonsense. The eyeshaveto be mean, otherwise, why hide behind a mask? Now, the other theory has to do with emotions. Clowns represent unrealistic, exaggerated emotions. It’s like dealing with somebody whosmilesall the time.” He shuddered dramatically.

I broke out into laughter. “I think you missed your calling. You should have been an actor.”

“Maybe.” He gave a bow. “But I prefer to spend my days racing around a track. That’ssane. Who wants to live their life being scrutinized in front of a camera?”

* * *

Emmett turnedout to be as charming and funny as he’d first appeared, and after I’d escorted him around the venue and gone through the schedule of events, I asked him what plans he had for the rest of the evening.

“Room service.” He rolled his eyes and added, “I’m limited as to how much walking I can handle without paying for it later, and I’ve reached that point for the day.”

“How about if the only walking you had to do was to and from a car?” I checked my watch. Ricky was in the city since I’d planned to go to my mother’s house and update her on the event. I might just call her instead. I’d rather spend the evening talking to Emmett. “I’d love some company for dinner.”

He considered the idea, then nodded. “As long as you let me buy. It’s the least I can do after talking your ear off the past few hours.”

“That’s fine with me.” There wasn’t anything romantic about the offer, I told myself. He was a cute guy, andsoeasy to be around, but I didn’twantanything romantic. Not when I still found myself doing a doubletake if a tall, leanly built man with hair just the right shade of brown passed by me on the street, or if I heard a voice with the faintest hint of an accent.

No, romance wasnotwhat I was looking for.

But a distraction?

A friend?

That was more than welcome.

* * *

It was far earlierthan I liked when I rolled out of bed the next morning.

I’d sent my mother a text, letting her know I’d call her later with an update, and she’d insisted I come to the house and give it. When I’d explained I was having dinner with a friend, she’d waved it off and told me to come anyway as I knew she was a night owl.

Fine,shewas. I wasn’t. But she didn’t care.

I’d been tired enough, and unlike my mother,notselfish enough to demand Ricky wait for me, so I’d stayed the night in my old room and simply selected an outfit from among the clothes I still kept at the house. This was far from the first time my mother had insisted I drive out to speak with her late at night.

Now, as Ricky pulled up in front of the hotel, I smothered a yawn.

“You should try to get more sleep, Stacia,” Willa Harden said, studying me from dark brown eyes that were just now starting to show the faintest signs of wrinkles. “You must care for your body now if you want to keep it in good shape your entire life.”

“I had planned to get more rest last night, but it didn’t work out,” I said, resisting the urge to tell her I would have gotten plenty of sleep if I hadn’t had to drive out to the estate to update her on the event in person.

Next to her, my father tapped away on his phone, oblivious.

“How long is this supposed to last, Willa?” he asked, tugging his glasses off as the car stopped.

“The event ends at three. We can leave around one, as Stacia has agreed to stay until everything is wrapped up.” She gave me a tiny smile as Ricky opened the door. “I’ll send Ricky back once he’s dropped us at home.”

“There’s no need. I’ll take a Lyft.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but I climbed out of the car before she could.

My father was behind me, and he’d wait for her. Knowing they’d move at a measured pace—mustn’t be seen hurrying!—I strode quickly on ahead, tossing Ricky a wave over my shoulder. I’d text him later, just to make sure he didn’t head back. I didn’t need a driver for the twenty minutes it would take to get back to my brownstone.

I was grinning by the time I stepped into the fairytale circus that had been created overnight.

“I have to admit.” Emmett’s voice had me turning. He pushed off the wall and gestured to the silks overhead where a clown in an exaggerated tutu was pretending to climb. “These clowns aren’t too bad.”

“They were hired to entertain kids,” I said loftily. “They better not look scary or have mean eyes.”

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