Page 20 of A Virgin for the Duke of Depravity
Margaret kept the orange in her hand as they resumed their walk through the gardens. Theresa and Aaron had wandered deeper into the field of trees, leaving Margaret and Leo behind. Perhaps her intrigue was not so obvious as she had thought.
Theresa would never leave her alone with a man she did not trust. Margaret was sure of that. Theresa would not risk that her friend would not be able to take her vows in a week.
As Margaret walked along, she wondered what she would do at this estate all day long. Theresa and Aaron had granted her leave to explore the estate, the gardens, and even the city. Here, she had no idea whether she might wander into another one of Leo’s parties.
“Will there be book club meetings during your house party?”
The question had been burning the back of her throat for some time. She was not surprised that it made its way to her tongue.
Margaret was always in trouble for saying the things that popped into her mind. It was one of the main reasons she was frequently disciplined by Mother Superior.
Leo halted beside her and turned to look her in the eye. His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide in shock. She could not tell if it was real or make-believe, but he did look surprised she would ask such a thing.
“A little nun should not be asking such questions,” he chastised her.
Margaret jutted her chin. “You did not answer my question, Your Grace.”
“Nor will I, for you have no right to ask about something you know nothing about.”
Leo continued walking, dragging Margaret along with him. It seemed that he was eager to catch up with their friends. She wondered whether he was eager to put this conversation behind them.
Had she misread the moment?
“You know, I am to take my vows in less than a week. Maybe I just want one last adventure,” she whispered.
Her eyes were fixed on the grass as she spoke, not daring to look up at him. Tears stung the back of her eyes, embarrassed at her openness with a man she barely knew.
He grabbed her chin and lifted her face to his. He looked her right in the eye, which sent a thrill through her. Perhaps he did not find her so unattractive, after all.
“The problem is that I do not think you will be able to take it. You would have to obey.”
At the mere thought of having to obey someone, Margaret let a giggle escape her lips. Soon, her giggle turned into a full laugh, causing her to clutch her belly with one hand. Leo did not smile in return.
“I have never been good at obeying,” she said when she could finally catch her breath.
She thought of the times she and Theresa had scurried away from the convent toward the lake, urging their horses forward at a rapid clip. And she thought of the way they had ultimately been punished for those excursions: extra prayers, kitchen duty, and more chores than usual.
No, she had never been one for simple obedience.
Leo cocked an eyebrow at her as her laughter subsided. His mouth quirked upward, hinting at a smile. “I can show you the pleasures of obedience.”
Margaret flushed bright pink, and her throat went dry. She swallowed hard and shook her head. “I do not think you would be able to teach me anything that the nuns have not already tried.”
“I wager I could have you begging me to tame you by the end of the week,” Leo said smoothly.
He touched the tip of her chin with his finger, and she wondered—just for a moment—if he might kiss her. Part of her was tempted to lean into him, to encourage it. Part of her refused to let him win the fight so easily.
“You think too highly of yourself,” she scoffed. “Perhaps I was interested in another member of your book club.”
“I have seen the way you look at me, little nun. It is no secret that you are interested in learning what I have to teach.”
“I will not feed this idea that you have of yourself,” Margaret said.
Her blush crept further up her face until she could feel every inch of her skin burning. She hoped that he could not hear her heart pounding in her chest.
He had read her intentions more clearly than she had anticipated.
She dropped her hand from his arm and turned on her heel to go back the way they had come.
