Page 39 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
‘Ugh. With my skin tone all of those colours make me look insipid.’
She certainly had not looked insipid at Almack’s.
‘Well, you suffered no ill consequences from it, so it is of no matter.’
‘I suffered no ill consequences because you danced with me.’
Frank to a fault. He could not help it—he cracked a laugh.
She grinned back, a saucy, delighted grin that made him want to smile like a fool.
He lowered his brows in a frown.
‘And,’ she continued, ‘if I am not mistaken, while I assured everyone that my painted nails were all the go in Paris, it was not until you confirmed my words that people stopped turning their noses up.’
‘Quite possibly.’
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why do people accept your word as if it is gospel? Because you are a Duke?’
‘Partially, I expect. But also, I have shown myself to be a man of exemplary character, though I only say so because of the nature of our conversation. They trust I wouldnot lie to them.’
She gave a little shiver. ‘Is that true? You would never lie?’
He thought for a moment. ‘I would not lie in order to cause someone harm or to give myself advantage over others.’
‘Oh, my.’
‘You find this remarkable?’
‘No, no,’ she said hastily. ‘Most admirable, I am sure.’
He had the feeling she was mocking him. He did not care. These were the mores he had been taught by his great-uncle after his parents died. All his life they had stood him in good stead.
They reached the end of the row and he turned the carriage around.
There were a great many more people in the park. Sooner or later, they would be forced to a stop by the slowing traffic, which would mean there would be no further opportunity for meaningful conversation.
She touched his arm in an impulsive movement. Tingles radiated from where her fingers gripped his sleeve.
Only by force of will did he prevent his arm from jerking away. Not because he did not like her touch. He did. Very much. But because the sensation of being touched so intimately was both delightful and shocking.
‘I know,’ she said, a smile breaking out on her face as she gazed up at him. He had the dreadful urge to kiss the corner of those upturned lips. ‘I have the perfect answer.’
Perfect answer for him kissing her mouth?
‘I—’
‘My aunt made a list of the rules I should follow. Why don’t you make a list of the things that I absolutely must not do? Things that would be absolutely terrible, even for a widow. Then I will know exactly what I must avoid.’
Xavier stared at her, wanting to kiss her so very badly.
Kissing her would be a terrible thing to do. It would ruin her completely in the eyes of Society.
And yet he was so tempted.
