Page 19 of Her Beastly Duke
Exciting. Briar caught her breath at the rushing sensation she felt when she heard the word. A rush of something indescribable fluttered in her belly. The thought of excitement made her heart race with anticipation of an experience she had yet to discover. She had a heightened sense of energy, and she was eager to release it. Briar put a delicate morsel in her mouth and slowly chewed. How could this be happening to her? Her mother would be mortified if she knew what Briar was thinking. She mustn’t. Yet, she could not help herself.
“In addition to having a tutor, I went to a fencing school and it had its advantages. In the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised by the strict set of rules, but I understood they were for the safety of all of us, as well as the visitors. The rules provided a suitable environment for the students' pursuit of learning the art.”
Otis appeared before the footmen cleared the table and served another course. Otis left and closed the door softly behind him.
Briar took a sip of red wine, and it must have been what emboldened her. “And did you obey them? These rules.”
“I was fined a time or two for breaking them.”
“Hmm,” Briar replied.
“Students were prohibited from swearing, discussions of an indecent nature, drinking, smoking, and fooling around or mocking other students while they practiced. I can assure you there were many fines.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I would like to spar with you tomorrow.”
Briar chuckled. “I thought you had enough, considering what happened the last time.”
His gaze gleamed. “Enough? I can never have enough.” His eyes wandered over her face and slowly down to her neck and …Oh.
There was a long moment of silence as Briar wondered if he implied, he could never get enough of … anything. She was as still as a statue except for biting her lips as she imagined his hand taking the same path his eyes took and then his lips. Her meal was long forgotten.
Briar nodded. “Very well. I will spar with you tomorrow. It is not as if I have much of a choice, but let's sweeten the deal. If I win, I can ask you anything I want, and you must provide an answer.” She wanted to know more about him, personal things, but she couldn’t just ask based on the nature of their connection; other wise she risked appearing too familiar, or impertinent. This deal negates that.
“I will agree if I have the same proviso.”
Interesting. He was just as curious about her as she was about him. She would do whatever it took to win.
He was being reasonable, so she could hardly refuse. “That is fair enough?”
“Then it is settled.”
The corners of her mouth lifted in a smile, and her eyes issued him the challenge. “I am sure I shall enjoy the game.”
“You have somewhat of a competitive nature.”
“I suppose it comes from having a twin brother who got all the attention.”
“What is it like having a twin?”
“Mama said we had always been close. The nursemaid tried to put us in separate cots, but I would not have it. Mama said I wailed until I was put in the same cot with Duncan.”
The duke chuckled. “You did not fight? I can remember Baxter, and I went a few rounds.”
“We did not fight. For the first few years, Duncan and I did not know what it was like to be apart. That was how it was until I was taught that he was a boy, and what a difference that made.”
The footmen came in and cleared the table, signaling the end of the meal, but Briar did not want it to be over. She was enjoying the duke’s company … immensely. She had a strong desire to understand this complex man who would be aloof in a moment yet kind and considerate in the next. She needed nothing more than to remain close to him to maintain this overpowering connection that she felt.
“Shall we retire to the drawing room?” The duke asked, gaze longing, expression wistful. He did not wait for an answer as he pulled out her chair.
She should end the evening now. She should leave and go to her room, firmly closing the door behind her. Her reasoned mind said that, but her emotions dictated something else entirely. Suddenly, self-conscious, she tucked a few tendrils of loose hair behind her ear, and her eyes darted to the door.
Briar followed the duke into the adjoining room. He moved to the table and held up a flask.
“Red wine?”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He had been charming all evening.
