Page 86 of Dare to Love a Duke
Yet as Lucia neared him, she saw the brackets of strain around his mouth, and the tenseness of his shoulders.
His first oppositional vote had been cast today. But he spoke before she could. “I’ve brought you something.” Like a magician casting a spell, he waved to the trunk at his feet. “In truth, it’s for the girls. But I hope it pleases you.”
Heart thumping, she sank down beside it and undid the latch. With a shove, she pushed the top open. The scent of paper and leather rose up, and her hands flew to her mouth.
The trunk was full of books. She picked up one and read the spine.A Child’s Guide to Geography.
Elspeth took another book and opened to the title page. “The History of Europe and Asia For Young Readers.”
Lucia’s gaze rose to his—while her heart felt ready to tear from her chest and throw itself at his feet. “These are yours?” she whispered.
“Some.” He moved into a crouch beside her, and examined one of the books before setting it down. “The rest I purchased from McKinnon’s. I asked McKinnon himself for his finest books for eager young minds.”
“Oh, Tom.” Her fingers brushed over the books, as though she could feel the knowledge they contained. Each one was a key opening a door to new worlds. Tears prickled her eyes.
The cost of books was not inconsequential. It had taken her months to save up for half a dozen texts for her students, and what this trunk contained surely cost over fifty pounds.
Awed, delighted, she cupped her hand over his jaw. He pressed a kiss into her palm.
“I believe I hear Kitty calling for me,” Elspeth said, though Kitty was, in fact, out with Liam, visiting a friend.
A moment later, Lucia and Tom were alone. She gazed at him, knowing full well that her heart was in her eyes, yet she didn’t fear showing him her vulnerability. If there was anyone she could trust, it was him.
“These can be part of the library for the girls’ home,” he said, almost shy. “I can bring more, but this seemed like a good start.”
Her pulse throbbed, and she had to swallow hard to find her voice. “This is the finest gift I’ve ever received.”
He—the consummate rake and libertine—blushed. “Glad you like it,” he said with sudden gruffness.
“It’s truly wonderful.” Words seemed so paltry, so inadequate. Given time, she might be able to articulate her gratitude. What he’d done for her, for the girls, was bigger than any phrasing of thankfulness. But seeing the tautness of his jaw reminded her that today, he’d made a difficult choice. “How was—”
Tightly, he said, “Purchasing these books was an antidote to the ugliness I experienced today.” He shook his head. “We’ll talk of that anon. Did I interrupt you in the middle of anything important?”
She rose, and he unfolded himself to stand. Though she burned to know what had happened in Parliament, she had to respect his request.
“Your timing is impeccable. In half an hour, I’m to tour an empty house in Spitalfields to see if it will suit for the girls’ home. Will you...” She swallowed. “Will you accompany me?”
Lucia had never before invited anyone along with her on a property tour, not even Kitty or Elspeth.
“It will likely be exceedingly dull,” she continued. “I have to inspect rooms for signs of vermin, make certain there’s no mold in the walls, check the plumbing and—”
“Lucia.” His voice was low and velvet, achingly tender. When she silenced, he stroked his fingers over her collarbone. The jangling nerves within her quieted at his touch. “I’m honored.”
She dipped her head, unable to form words. This was entirely new—a man at her side, supporting her, seeking nothing but her company.
“My carriage is in the mews,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone that seemed specifically selected to calm her.
“If the landlord sees it,” Lucia said, striving for a straightforward manner herself, “she’ll charge me three times her asking price, thinking she’s got a rich pigeon in the net. A cab will suit us well enough.”
Though it would be beneath a duke to ride in a lowly hired cab, he merely said, “As you wish.”
“Let me fetch my reticule, and we’ll be on our way.”
“Before you go—” He drew her close, and she inhaled his scent as she pressed herself to him.
When he tipped her chin up, she rose onto her toes, her mouth finding his. There was urgency in his kiss, as though he wanted to lose himself in her and never be found.
“Was today as bad as all that?” she whispered. “Tell me honestly.”
