Page 63 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
For a while, he simply enjoyed her nearness. Then he leaned his own head back and tried to clear his mind of the yearning he’d felt since the moment he saw her again. He’d agreed to help her. He had no right to all his other wayward desires.
Bella’s hand landed on his thigh and his eyes shot open. She’d moved so that her head leaned against the carriage window and her arm had fallen slack at her side.
Rhys laid his hand on hers gently and realized how much he relished the simplicity of touching her. But there were rules, and Bella’s resolve, and he couldn’t deny that he wanted far more than to hold her hand.
With tender care, he placed her arm back against her body, letting her hand rest on the stretch of seat between them.
He couldn’t turn back time and undo the past, buthe owed her the most honorable behavior he could muster now.
Glancing at her, he noticed the pulse dancing at the base of her throat and could only think of how much he wanted to kiss her there.
“Damn it,” he mumbled under his breath. This wasn’t going to be bloody easy.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning Bella sat in the dress shop of one of London’s most touted modistes and glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering when she could reasonably slip away.
Rhys seemed nervous too and eager to escape, if his fingers tapping insistently against his thigh were any indication.
When Lady Margaret and the dressmaker settled down on a settee to peruse a catalog of possible dress designs, Bella clutched the portmanteau she’d brought containing the pages of her manuscript. A few minutes later, she eased out of her chair, hoping to quietly depart.
But Rhys beat her to it. “Ladies, do you mind if I leave you to order what you wish? I’ll return in an hour.”
Meg cast a glance Bella’s way and Bella nodded atthe girl. Perhaps it was best if Rhys left first. Her appointment wouldn’t take as long as an hour, and Meg would be well occupied with the modiste and her assistants. When Rhys returned, he’d be none the wiser.
“Perfect,” Meg told him. “I have Bella to help me and I’m certain we’ll still be here in an hour.” She offered Bella a surreptitious wink.
“Excellent,” he said, though the look on his face was anything but pleased.
He was nervous and unsettled and had been all morning. During the latter part of carriage ride, rather than engaging in conversation with his usual enthusiasm, he’d kept watch out the carriage window or napped as Meg chattered on about the shops they’d visit and items that needed to be purchased.
Rhys offered Bella a nod and then started for the shop’s front door, but at the threshold he turned and beckoned her to join him.
“You seem troubled,” he said quietly. “Is it about Mr. Radley?”
Radley. Of course, they still had the address in London to visit. “No, I’m just anxious for things to go well today.”
She didn’t want to tell him about her appointment. Not until she could report success rather than failure. Even if he would encourage her, and she suspected he would, this was something she needed to do on her own.
“Don’t worry. You’ve helped immensely, and once we meet with the Tremaynes and the duchess meetsMeg, all the burden of assisting her won’t be solely on your shoulders.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Good.” The smile he offered her was full of the kind of ease they’d once shared, and she felt guilty for not telling him of her other purpose for coming to London. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
Once he’d gone, she retrieved her bag and told Meg, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. The office isn’t far.”
The girl stood immediately, nearly toppling two bolts of fabric on the settee next to her. “Good luck.” She kissed Bella softly on the cheek. “I don’t know much about your puzzles but Rhys always said you were the most intelligent girl he’d ever known.”
“Did he?” He’d complimented her occasionally in the past but she’d never dreamed he’d shared those opinions with others.
“Always. He still thinks so. It’s why he asked for your help with the ledgers.”
“I know.”
“Who knew it would lead to such a quick engagement?” Meg’s smile was full of genuine warmth. “I’m glad we’ll be sisters.”
Bella couldn’t meet her gaze. Guilt had been her constant companion since they’d begun their charade.
