Page 33 of Duke of Silver
The sound of his own laughter surprised him. She was delightful—he had to admit that. There was something invigorating about the way she played the game, how she never backed down.
“Well then, pray tell, what incentive do you need?” he asked, his voice lowering as he closed the distance between them.
“An answer,” she said plainly. “About the Compton assembly invitations,” she added, her tone light, but her eyes filled with determination.
“You do not give up, do you?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Never,” she replied, jutting her chin out in defiance, the gesture both endearing and maddening.
“Ominous,” Alexander chuckled again, thoroughly entertained by the exchange.
“So? Will you go to the assembly?” she pressed, her persistence unwavering.
His gaze drifted downward, settling on her lips as she spoke, and for a moment, the conversation faded into the background. She was so insistent, so focused on the blasted Compton invitations, but all he could think about was whether she would stop talking if he kissed her.
He took another step toward her, and her eyes widened in surprise. He felt a thrill of satisfaction when she found herself backed against the wall. He liked the way she looked at him now—unsure but still determined, her breath quickening as he drew closer.
And he liked the idea of keeping her right there, his prisoner in that moment, caught between defiance and something else entirely.
Alex raised his hand, letting his fingers trail lightly along her jawline. He relished the way the soft pink in her cheeks deepened under his touch, her reaction delightfully visible.
“Liz, dear,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “didn’t I tell you that I’d think about the invitations?”
Her lips parted slightly, as if she meant to respond, but no sound came forth. Her breath caught, and Alex felt an almost instinctual pull, his head lowering toward hers.
“A little patience,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper now, “would get you your answer.”
Her eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, the space between them all but disappeared. The temptation to close the gap, to kiss her, was nearly overwhelming. He could feel the warmth of her breath, sense the tension in the air as they hovered on the edge of something dangerous.
But just when their faces were barely a breath apart, Alex abruptly pulled back, stepping away and putting a deliberate distance between them. The sudden withdrawal was as much for his own restraint as it was to toy with her.
Her eyes flew open, wide with surprise, and there, unmistakably, was a flicker of disappointment. It almost made him laugh—though he had to admit he was just as affected by their closeness as she was. But playing this game, leaving her wanting, was far more entertaining.
This should be fun,he thought, an impish smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“I—I will need to see Mrs. Ryton about the dinner…” she stammered, her composure crumbling as her voice came out flustered and breathless.
Without waiting for a response, she turned quickly on her heels and hurried down the hallway, practically skipping out of his sight. Alex watched her retreat, his amusement still lingering, though the urge to chase after her remained strong.
CHAPTER 15
Elizabeth was mortified. God help her, but she had wanted her husband to kiss her, she realized with a rush of heat that only deepened her humiliation.
And the worst part? He’d teased her—played with her emotions, no doubt aware of the effect he had on her. The nerve of him! She clenched her fists at her sides, the memory of his smug expression flashing vividly in her mind. He had pulled away at the last possible moment, leaving her flustered and vulnerable, all while he seemed to relish her reaction.
But what truly unsettled her was the fact that she had betrayed herself. She had practically handed him her interest, her weakness, on a silver platter. And Alexander, ever perceptive, had exploited it for his own amusement. The way his eyes had gleamed with smug satisfaction—it was infuriating.
Elizabeth shut the door to her study behind her and leaned heavily against it, trying to steady her breath. The moment replayed over and over in her mind, each time deepening herembarrassment. She was slightly miffed, not just at him, but at herself. How had she allowed herself to be so easily swept up in the moment?
One minute, he was cold, distant, treating her like a stranger, and the next, he was teasing her, playing the part of a man enjoying his game. The whiplash of his behavior left her unsettled, unsure of how to respond or how to guard herself against his unpredictable moods.
A sudden knock on the door startled her, causing her to jump. Elizabeth’s heart raced again, this time from the fear that Alex had followed her. Was he here to mock her, to see how flustered she still was?
She quickly collected herself, straightening her dress and smoothing her hair before opening the door. Relief washed over her when she saw Mrs. Ryton standing there, not her teasing husband.
“Your Grace, I hope I’m not interrupting,” the housekeeper said, her voice polite and measured.
“Not at all,” Elizabeth reassured, trying to calm the remaining flutter in her chest.
