Page 44 of In Scandal with the Duke
“Then why?”
“Must I have a reason?”
“Is it not the natural path of life? To marry and build a family?”
“I already have a family. My mother lives, and my sister is married and has twin daughters. My cousin is also married and has seven children.”
“Good heavens.Seven?”
There was a teasing, provoking glint in his eyes. “Hmm, my cousin professes to be deeply in love with his wife and cannot stay from her bed.”
“So, you do believe in love.”
“I see the evidence of it.”
“But you do not want it for yourself?”
James chuckled, low and soft, the sound decidedly mocking. “I am not searching for it,” he said mildly, “I do not long for these romantic sentiments I realize ladies take pleasure in thinking about. I simply enjoy my life and live without constraints.”
“It must be wonderful to exist so freely,” she murmured. “You remind me of my father.”
“A rather unsettling thought, given how thoroughly I just debauched you,” James replied drolly.
Elizabeth laughed. “My father was also a second son of a baronet. My uncle, Timothy, lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and children. I have never met them. He never quite forgave Papa for marrying a lady whose father was a banker from New York. Aunt Sally, however, kept in touch with Papa through letters. My aunt was never blessed to have children, and Mama said this made aunt treasure family more.”
She shifted slightly, a pang of pain going through her heart. Elizabeth had held herself distant from her aunt, and she needed to forgive her meddling.
“My father took his modest inheritance from his grandmother and forged an empire in New York. Whenever I listened to Papa speak, I would always long to make my own mark in the world one day. Mama will be furious when she realizes Papa promised me that upon my return to New York, my inheritance will be mine to do as I please.”
“What do you wish to do?”
“I do not know,” she murmured. “Perhaps one day travel. War has torn apart Europe, and it might be years before I get a chance to visit Italy and France. I helped Mama with a few charities in New York. I might take a more active role when I return.”
“Will you ever come back to London?”
Elizabeth felt the increase in his heartbeat.
“Will you miss me, James?” she murmured.
Something mysterious lurked in the chilling beauty of his eyes, and Elizabeth wished she understood what he felt.Or perhaps it would be better if I had not asked.
“I daresay I will look back on our moments and long for you fiercely, James,” she said, pushing aside the need to keep the revealing words to herself. One could not gain anything behind silence and noncommunication. “I shall greatly miss you. I am not afraid to admit these things.”
He lifted a hand, rubbing his thumb briefly over her bottom lip, which felt puffy from his kiss. Instead of answering her, he tugged her down, kissing her mouth with exquisite tenderness. An ache rose in her throat, and longing almost broke her apart. For a wild moment, terror scythed through her heart.
I am in danger of falling in love with you, James, she silently cried.How foolish am I?
CHAPTER15
Elizabeth felt a momentary disorientation as she woke, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her senses. The room was warmly lit by a crackling fire in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls and floor. Her clothes, stockings, and shoes were neatly arranged on the chaise, a reminder that she was not at her aunt’s home but the duke’s.
Her cheeks warmed with a blush when she noticed the maid, who had quietly entered the room, perhaps the source of her awakening. The young girl curtsied respectfully, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and deference.
“Milady, I am here to help you get dressed,” the maid offered in a gentle voice.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. She observed the maid’s curious glances, and she recalled the duke that he had never had a female guest before in his home. Pushing off the covers, Elizabeth swung her legs out of bed and stood. A quick glance at the clock on the mantle revealed that it was almost three in the morning. Her mother and aunt should be returning home soon. The maid assisted her with efficiency, helping Elizabeth into her clothing.
Nearly thirty minutes later, she was fully dressed, her hair neatly arranged in an elegant chignon and feeling more composed. The maid gave a quick bob of a curtsy and hastened out of the room. Elizabeth departed the duke’s bedchamber and descended the winding staircase, her steps echoing softly in the large, opulent hallway.
