Page 72 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
There was a large bath, a commode and a fireplace.
‘That bath is huge,’ she said.
‘I gather the previous owner was a large man who enjoyed bathing every day. He had this installed. I saw no point in changing it when I bought the house. But my tenant said it took far too much water to fill itand did not use it.’
‘So this house has not been in your family for generations.’
‘No. It is a recent acquisition. My tenant was the wife of an old family retainer. When he died she had nowhere to live, so I offered her this place.’
‘That was very kind of you.’
‘I saw it more as a duty than a kindness.’ He shut the door.
He did not like being accused of softer emotions, Barbara decided. Why would that be?
Perhaps it wasn’t ducal or something?
‘And here we are back at the bedroom.’ His voice deepened. Her blood hummed along her veins and the sensual note in his voice.
‘It looks just as charming in daylight as it did by candlelight,’ she said, trying not to sound breathless.
‘As do you.’
Warmth enveloped her. Pleasure at his compliment. She turned to face him.
He held his arms and she moved into his embrace.
‘You are a flatterer, Your Grace,’ she said, rising up on her toes to kiss his cheek.
He turned his head and his lips found her mouth instead.
They fit together so well, she thought vaguely. He was tall and broad of shoulder, yet their bodies aligned beautifully as he bent his head to kiss her deeply, his arms pulling her tight against him. She combed her fingers through the hair at his nape, caressed his shoulders, his back.
So lovely.
He made her feel slight and feminine instead of tall and gawky.
Both of her husbands had been on the short side and embraces had been uncomfortable.
He broke their kiss and gazed down at her. ‘Thank you for coming today. I wasn’t sure you would.’
Overcome by his obvious happiness, and unused to anyone really caring if she was present or not, she was about to make some flippant remark about who could refuse a duke, when she stopped herself.
He was, she was certain, being sincere. She had the feeling that to brush aside his appreciation would be hurtful.
‘I promised I would,’ she said. ‘And I would not go back on my word for all the world.’
His Adam’s apple in his strong column of throat moved as he swallowed.
His gaze travelled from her face and down her length. ‘You are so damned beautiful,’ he murmured. ‘I desire you more than I have desired any other woman.’
‘Good,’ she said, once more overwhelmed by the directness of his words.
His smile broadened. ‘Good? Is that all you have to say?’
‘What more is there to say?’ She leaned into him and rested her cheek on his chest, not wanting him to see her expression, lest he see the longing that had risen up inside her. The yearning to be truly loved.
It was animpossible dream.
