Page 68 of How to Seduce a Duke this Autumn
“Perhaps I should be flattered,” Charlene whispered, tilting her head toward him, “that she sees me as such fierce competition.”
Adam growled low in his throat. “She wouldn’t, if I’d done a better job of discouraging her.” And his mother for that matter. “I’ve been too preoccupied.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I doubt that would have deterred your admirer.”
“It doesn’t make me feel better, no.”
A soft chuckle, very soft.
He glanced at her, a slow smile curving his lips. He loved that sound. He could listen to it every second of every minute of every day.
“Should we just stay here?” she asked, breaking the spell.
He glanced back at the group. “I don’t know how long they’ll be strolling.”
“I think they might be heading this way.”
The bench. “You might be right. Should we retreat farther?”
She nodded. “There should be another entrance for us somewhere.”
Neither of them moved.
After a beat, she added softly, “But I find I’m a bit reluctant.”
And damn it all, so was he.
The murmur of the group grew nearer.
“Quick,” he murmured, reaching for her hand. “This way.”
With this, she didn’t hesitate, placing her hand in his, allowing him to lead her away from possible disaster. That didn’t mean they couldn’t, or wouldn’t, encounter disaster anywhere else.
Which was exactly what they did encounter.
The distinct, very distinct, sound of moaning brought them to an abrupt halt. It was clear as day. At least to him. A couple was fornicating close by! He inwardly cursed and dragged her in the opposite direction, before breaking out in a run, with no clear idea where he was leading her to, only to get her away as far as possible from that.
He stopped near the edge of the garden on the exact opposite side of the house, and very close to the street running along the property.
“That was…” she trailed off, breathless from the dash.
“Don’t even say it,” Adam said, out of breath himself. “In fact, just put it out of your head.”
She laughed. “If you insist.”
“I do. I very well do insist.” Else he might replace those sounds playing in his head with theirs. And then he’d be doomed.
“Do you think we’re safe?” she asked, thankfully changing the subject.
“Define safe,” he muttered, his gaze darting over the property. Who knew what they might find here?
“Safe from being seen.”
“Oh. That.” He leaned against a tree. “Then yes. Probably.”
She tilted her head. “You don’t sound convinced.”
“Are you?”
