Page 15 of A Virgin for the Duke of Depravity
“Now, let’s go,” Margaret said, turning to walk away from him.
He watched her walk for a moment, but eventually she grabbed him by the hand again and pulled him after her.
With that settled, he knew he would be having guests at his house party in just a few days. He would have the little nun under his care and protection, and he could only think where it might lead.
He hoped it would lead to her bedroom. Even just one night with the nun-to-be would be enough to cure him of his lewd thoughts. The way he fantasized about what her skin would feel like. The way her cheeks flushed when she was frustrated or embarrassed.
Would she blush for him?
All he had to do was play his cards right over the next week and hope that Margaret’s secret would come out. He would offer her the protection she sought in the convent. Leo was certain that he could charm the woman who had captured his attention.
Now, he just had to hope that it was not misplaced optimism.
One week was not much time to make so grand a difference, but he would do his best to persuade her to postpone her vows. He had to try, or he would always wonder how he had let the little nun slip through his fingers when she expressed interest in his little club.
He would always wonder what could have been if he had opened himself up to caring about someone for more than one evening.
Maybe this could be good for both of them.
CHAPTER 6
“Hurry,” Margaret urged. “We only have a few minutes before they start looking for us. It would not do for us to be found alone together.”
Leo let out a derisive laugh that made her want to turn back to him, take his hand, and drag him back to the study where he and Aaron had holed up after the women took their leave. She turned when she did not hear his footsteps behind her.
“My little nun,” Leo said mockingly. “Last night, you were eager to explore the pages of my book. Today, you do not want to be alone with a man in your friend’s home.”
“Last night was different. It was unexpected.” Margaret tried not to look at him and kept walking ahead.
“Yes, there were many aspects of the night that were not quite what I expected. You being chief among them.”
“Contrary to what you believe, I wasinvitedto the party last night, even if the invitation did not come from you.” She made a sound in the back of her throat that almost sounded like a laugh. “The King of Olympus is not the only one who could have invited me.”
“But it is the King of Olympus who will save you,” Leo said. He reached out and grabbed her hand, forcing her to turn around and look at him. “You do want my protection, do you not?”
“Hurry along,” Margaret said shortly.
They turned the corner on their way back to the study, just a few feet away from where Aaron had left them to check on Theresa. But it was too late.
Theresa stood on the threshold of her husband’s study, tapping her foot impatiently. She would not be happy that Margaret had used her to secure an audience with Leo. While she might be a duchess now, she would still have something to say about spending time alone with a man Margaret was not married to.
“Why did you lie to Aaron?” Theresa did not waste time getting to the heart of what bothered her. She did not look past Margaret to where Leo stood, trying to avoid being dragged into the conversation.
“I know what it?—”
“Up to your old tricks again?” Theresa demanded.
“There was no trick involved, dear friend,” Margaret said, trying to keep her voice as even as possible. “It was just a matter of?—”
But Leo cut her off and saved her from having to explain herself. “I believe that I must take my leave of you now, ladies. There are many things to be done to prepare for a house party, as I’m sure you know, Theresa.”
“It still perplexes the mind that you are in the mood for a party,” Aaron said, coming up behind his wife.
“I will see you all tomorrow, I presume?” Leo asked as he began to back down the hall toward the front entrance of Blackwell Manor.
“While I may disagree with you, we will be present for such a momentous occasion,” Aaron offered with a stern look in Leo’s direction.
At the mention of a disagreement, Margaret peered at both of the men with curiosity. Perhaps Aaron already knew about Leo’s offer. Perhaps he knew where she had been last night.
