Page 28 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
For a long moment, Miss Jeffries said nothing. She just continued to gaze at him, studying his face as though she were trying to ascertain what had just happened. Then, as he watched, her eyebrows lifted, her eyes rounding.
“This is to do with the scandal some years ago, is it not? The one that involved your sister.”
Jonathan closed his eyes and immediately felt her hand on his arm.
“Forgive me, please.”
When he opened his eyes, Miss Jeffries’ face had gone scarlet and she was looking away, clearly embarrassed.
“I should not have said anything. It is not my place to make assumptions nor to ask you about something that you have no desire to speak of. You have not told me of this and...”
“But you know of it.”
Her hand fell from his arm, her head dropping forward. “I know some, as I have already told you. I have heard the whispers and the rumours – none of which I believe, of course – but they are unavoidable when one is in society.” Slowly, her gaze travelled back up towards him, though her eyes did not linger on his. “My brother shared a little but nothing specific. He has told me often that you are an honourable gentleman and that no rumours ought to be given any weight.”
“I do appreciate that,” Jonathan muttered, pushing his fingers through his hair as he realized that he would have to tell her all regardless. “I have always tried to be so and yet, even in my attempts, I have had society turn their back upon me.”
“Which they ought not to have done.”
“No.” Jonathan winced, then shook his head. “I must appear very foolish to you, Miss Jeffries.”
She pressed her lips together. “Not at all, Your Grace.”
“I will explain all to you, I promise.” Seeing how she still would not hold his gaze, Jonathan reached out to capture her hand, not feeling any hint of animosity towards the lady. “I can assure you that there is nothing wrong in what you have said and in what you know. I value your brother’s friendship highly and his defence of me to you. I thank you for what you have done in assisting me, even though you do not understand why I have asked such a thing nor what it is that I have run from.” He closed his eyes for a moment, a harsh breath coming out from him. “Forgive me for my lack of explanation and for my weakness.”
“You are not weak.”
Jonathan’s eyes opened as Miss Jeffries put one hand on his chest, her eyes suddenly filled with a fire that he had not expected to see.
“You have displayed no weakness here, Your Grace,” she continued, speaking more firmly now. “I have not seen that within you and I certainly would not eventhinkthat of you. Whatever it is you have turned from, whatever that lady means to you, it is clear that you have already endured a great deal by her hand. Little wonder that you wish to rush from her! I can imagine that your thoughts must be in turmoil, that your heart must be filled with all manner of conflicting emotions. Do not think for a moment that I either condemn you or think you weak, Nottingham, for I most certainly do not.”
She was breathing hard now, her eyes flashing but her hand now curled lightly against his heart. Jonathan’s mouth went dry as he felt the warmth of her nearness, sensing the desire growing within him to warp his arms tight about her waist and pull her even closer. He licked his lips, all the past troubles seeming to fall away as he gazed down into her eyes, thinking her the most beautiful, the most remarkable and astonishing creature that he had ever met.
“Elizabeth.” He practically whispered her name, one hand reaching up, brushing his fingers lightly across her cheek as she caught her breath, blinking rapidly, her hand slowly falling back to her side though she did not move away. Jonathan also took his hand away, the moment still lingering, capturing them both tight within it as his heart began to roar with an even more astonishing plea – a plea to bend his head and kiss her.
“Elizabeth? Do you think we should – oh! Your Grace! I did not see you arrive.”
Everything shattered as Lady Annette came to join them, her warm words not as welcome as she might have expected. Jonathan cleared his throat and took a step back from MissJeffries, inclining his head to Lady Annette. “I thought to come to the bookshop after all,” he said, aware of the slight tightness in his throat, blood now roaring in his ears. “Are – are you ready now to go and have the ice at Gunters?”
“Yes, I am.” Lady Annette beamed at him, though her eyes went directly to Miss Jeffries. “Are you, Elizabeth?”
Jonathan let his eyes turn to Miss Jeffries, seeing how she smiled and nodded but how stars lingered in her eyes as she caught his gaze. He returned her smile with one of his own, his heart trembling with the awareness of all that he now felt… and all that he hadjustbeen about to do had he not been interrupted by Lady Annette.
“I am, yes. Your Grace?” Miss Jeffries lifted one eyebrow gently. “If you do not wish to join us any longer, then I would quite understand.”
Appreciating her concern, Jonathan shook his head. “No, I am quite contented to join to you both.” Now that he knew the lady had left in her carriage, he did not feel any great concern any longer. “Come now, let us go. I am sure we will all have a most enjoyable afternoon together.”
Chapter Fifteen
He almost kissed me.
A flush of heat touched Elizabeth’s cheeks as the carriage made its way towards the Duke’s townhouse. An invitation for dinner had arrived shortly after her return home the previous day – the day when the Duke had practically held her tight in his arms – and both she and her brother had been eager to accept. There was a soiree to attend later in the evening but Elizabeth did not mind whether or not she made her way there. She wanted to be in the Duke’s company and in his company alone.
Though I have not told him about the letters.
Her brows pulled together as she bit her lip. If she admitted to herself or to the Duke of her feelings, would she not have to also admit to him thatshehad been the one who had been writing to him? That was not a truth that she wanted to keep back from him but, at the same time, she was a trifle concerned over what his response might be. Would he be embarrassed? Would he be upset with her and her brother for the deceit? Or would he understand that it had been well intended?
“You are frowning, Elizabeth.”
