Page 34 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“Do tell more,” he said, startled by the idea. They lapsed into a conversation about the play. Asher became more and more amused by it, for though their opinions matched in some ways regarding the play, in others they differed entirely, much to each of their amusements. “No, you are quite wrong I am sure of it.”
“How can I be wrong when it is in the text?” she said laughing. “Benedict is in love with Beatrice from the very beginning.”
“No, he’s not,” he said with animation. “Yes, he is certainly attracted to her, but he only realizes that he has the capacity to love her later on in the text, once he is tricked into believing Beatrice loves him first.”
“I am sure you are quite wrong.”
“Then we shall have to settle our wager somehow.”
“How?” she asked in challenge, lifting her chin toward him.
“A bet? The winner gets our usual wagers,” he said, reminding her of what had happened the other night. She blushed and hung her head. The idea of winning another kiss off her was tantalizing, but now he wanted more too.
“Is this your new suitor, Lady Penelope?” The words from a new incomer made them both flip their heads around, startled.
“Suitor?” Lady Penelope asked in surprise. “Oh, no, My Lady,” she answered hurriedly to their hostess, the Countess of Sussex.
“No? That was a rather vehement reply. Your Grace, you must be slipping in your charm,” the regal older lady said as she turned her gaze on him. He felt rather pinned by that steely gaze. “I could have sworn I had spied out another courtship then. I’m excellent at finding them out, you know.”
“I…er…” Asher had never been speechless before, but he felt it now.This is supposed to be a secret, and it is most definitely not a courtship. It is a tryst.
“I am afraid, My Lady, you have no luck here,” Asher said, finding his voice at last. “Lady Penelope and I are friends. That is all.”
“Oh, what a shame,” she said with a sigh. “Your Grace, do be so kind as to pour me some tea. With no good gossip to find here, I must go and find some elsewhere!”
Asher hurried to pour her tea, aware that she was watching the two of them, her calculating gaze flitting between the two. As she walked away, looking back at them more than once, Asher could see Lady Penelope shifting so much between her feet that their arms practically brushed.
“She thought we were courting,” she said in a panicked whisper.
“Fear not; our secret is safe,” he assured her.
Asher was aware now that Lady Sussex was not the only one watching the two of them. Lady Margaret and Lord Larson were too as well as his own friends, but he didn’t seem to care anymore. All that mattered was Lady Penelope and the next night of their tryst.
He reached across her toward the tea table, lifting a teacup and using it as the opportunity to whisper in her ear.
“How about tomorrow night?” he asked.
“Tomorrow?” she repeated, pretending to be nonchalant as she lifted the teacup to her lips.
“The whole night.”
“What?” she said, nearly dropping the teacup. He reached out, grabbing the cup and fumbling with her. “Your Grace,” she said, smirking, “you are taking hold of my hand in public.”
“I’m rescuing you from a falling teacup,” he whispered to her, watching as she smiled all the more.
“Then you should probably let go of my hand now.”
He did as she requested before glancing over her shoulder, looking around at the people attending the tea party. He hesitated when he caught sight of Dorian and Vincent with their heads turned his way. They seemed to be whispering something intently, something about him…
“You said the whole night?” Lady Penelope’s question urged Asher to look back down to her.
“Yes,” he said. “Come tomorrow, early if you can. I have an idea for our night together.”
Chapter Twelve
“Iwill not stay the whole night,” Penelope murmured to herself as she knocked on the door. Despite the Duke’s proposal to her, she could not accept it. It would be risking things too much. What if she fell asleep and had to return to her own house the next day? She would surely be seen, and the gossip would be out in less than a day!
The door opened, revealing the Duke on the other side.
