Page 24 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
She took it all in—ginger, saffron, caraway seeds, all lifted into the air in a strong aroma. Plum cakes and honey cakes were laid out on silver platters, with French toast glistening and drizzled with honey. The scent of cooked meats made her mouth water.
“What is all of this?” The question was out before she could express her gratitude.
The Duke looked up, setting down his cutlery. “This is the first of many things I will provide,” he began. “I have brought some of my servants to begin working on your estate. Your brother’s current state requires a proper, fuller household, and, quite frankly, so do you, Lady Edwina.”
She ignored the slight jab, still in shock. “Thank you.”
“Your brother is still in bed,” the Duke continued. “I have instructed your staff to allow him to sleep off his ailments, so he will not be joining us for breakfast, I imagine.”
Edwina nodded, fighting the urge to shake her brother awake and ask him what he had been thinking, throwing himself out of the window, where he had gone, and when he had returned.
The Duke’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I would like you to join me. Please sit. Eat with me.”
She slid into a chair near him, careful not to meet his eyes.
Neither had spoken since their kiss in the carriage the night before, and now she found her tongue leaden, even as she piled her plate well with food.
The Duke watched as she heaped on cakes and meats, finding them the most decadent thing she had eaten in a while. The look in his eyes was not judgmental, but the look of somebody who knew that a person was grateful for receiving something.
“Do you intend to watch me eat, too?” she asked, smirking.
“I simply find the way you conduct yourself fascinating.”
Edwina swallowed a bite of honey cake. “How so?”
“You are proud and stubborn, I see that. However, there is an undercurrent of… something in your eyes, and I am trying to work it out.”
“If you cannot, then perhaps it is not for you to know,” she said, trying to be teasing, but it came out sharp.
“Indeed.” His eyes bored into hers for a moment longer.
Edwina turned back to her breakfast, maintaining her nonchalance, and licked honey off her fingers.
She was aware of the Duke’s eyes on her, and she slammed her napkin down after she was finished.
“You have provided this, and I am grateful, but I suppose that makes you think you are entitled to anything now.”
“I am asking for nothing in return,” he quipped.
“Then whatareyou looking at?”
“I would tell you, but it would make you blush rather furiously.”
His gaze had fallen to her hand, and she realized what he meant a moment later. She licked honey off her lips and did indeed blush slightly. She swept her tongue over her lower lip again, and his eyes followed the movement.
“There is the seductress I assume you were trying to be back at the Raven’s Den.”
Edwina pressed her lips together tightly, glaring at him. “I was not trying. I was aware I was not convincing, but a lady cannot help but be nervous when forced into such a predicament.”
The Duke huffed a laugh. “Your dress alone carried the performance, not you. If that is any consolation.”
“No,” she admitted. “I do not think it is.” She paused. “You liked my dress that night?”
The Duke scowled at her before drinking deeply from his teacup.
When he lowered it, he answered, “I would have had a clearer opinion of your dress had certain… parts of you not practically fallen out of it.”
“So, you were distracted by me?”
