Page 11 of A Lady's Christmas
Theo’s rage is barely contained. “Put that accounting book down, please. You are dismissed, Mr. Dunkin.”
“I beg your pardon?” Brown eyes wide and lips pulled to a thin line, Dunkin’s skin pales, which would have seemed impossible just moments ago.
“It would seem you are not a good fit for my estates. I shall pay for your travel expenses and a room at the inn for the night if you leave quietly now. If you linger, I will have you tossed on your ass by my footman and you will pay your own way home.” Theo considers punching the man in the nose just for good measure but resists the urge.
With a huff, Dunkin tugs the front of his coat into place and storms out of the room.
From the foyer, Lamb says, “Good day, sir.” The door closes.
Stepping from the shadow of the threshold, Gwen steps inside the study. “You sent him away.” Her eyes are wide and full of confusion.
Theo’s heart tightens, and he steps closer to her.
ChapterSix
Gwen shouldn’t have stayed by the door and eavesdropped. It had only been that she’d worked so hard to keep all of the estates running in good order and couldn’t bear the idea of some hardheaded man making a mess of them. If she stayed and heard something untenable, she could talk to Theo about it later. That was it; she was there to advise the duke and that’s what she would do.
Never in her wildest imagination would she have expected Theo to defend her. “You sent him away.”
Theo steps closer, eyes blazing with something warm and dangerous. “He wasn’t a good fit.”
“Why not?” She takes a step back despite her desire to bring him closer and comes up against the door, which clicks shut.
Not stopping, Theo leans in until she has to crane her neck to look into his eyes. Why does he have to be so handsome? “Do you think I would allow anyone to speak about you that way?”
Breath coming too fast, she finds her voice. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d care how anyone spoke about me.”
Drawing his face close to hers, he closes his eyes. “You would have thought wrong, Gwendolyn.”
All her life, she hated the way he said her full name, and he was the only one who called her that, yet at this moment, it sounds lovely. “Are you going to kiss me, Theo?”
His eyes open. “I considered it very seriously but thought you might slap my face.”
Reaching up, she skims her fingers over his jaw with half a day’s stubble. “It’s a risk.”
A half smile tugs at his mouth. “You’re worth it.”
As his lips meet hers, a bolt of fire and feelings rush through her. His mouth is both soft and strong.
She gasps and his tongue presses between her lips. A riot of emotions and lustful thoughts rocket through her, though none of it makes sense. Her body trembles, and her knees buckle.
Theo wraps his arm around her waist and cups her cheek, brushing his thumb over her skin and settling his hand around her neck.
Touching her tongue to his sends heat between her legs and a soft moan rises from her. She grips his shoulders, pressing her body tight to his.
Footsteps in the foyer wake her from the fog his kiss creates. Pushing on his chest ends the kiss though he doesn’t move away. Instead, he presses his forehead to hers and breathes in great gulps of air. “Was this a foolish mistake, Gwendolyn?”
The warmth of his body is too good and too right. She ducks under his arm and moves away. “I think we must have been caught up in some kind of strange moment, Your Grace. I should leave you alone. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a more suitable steward in a few days and in the meantime, we can plan the ball.”
Still hunched and leaning his arm on the door, it takes him a few breaths to recover enough to straighten. “Would you like to look over the guest list I’ve made?”
All she can think is that she needs to get away from him and clear her head. She never should have let him kiss her. He has no reason to court her, so he either intends to humiliate her or prove some point. Lifting her chin, she swallows down all the tender emotions that forced their way into her stupid head. “I’m going to my room now. If you’ll leave the list on the desk, I’ll come and look at it later.”
When she reaches the door, he steps back so she can open it. “I know I shouldn’t have kissed you, but I can’t regret it, Gwendolyn.”
Part of her wants to believe he kissed her because he likes her, but the greater part is sensible. Dukes don’t pursue their uncle’s ward and Theo Dandridge can barely stand to be in the same room with her. It’s always been that way. She runs up the steps and doesn’t stop until she’s in her room.
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