Page 47 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“I think you know the answer to that.”
Something had changed in Lord Grayhill. Earlier tonight, he had watched her from across the room, but had remained silent. He never once asked her to dance. And, after they shared that kiss, he did not dare step close to her again.
But now, while they sat across from each other in near silence, he might have spoken little, but there was nothing distant about the quiet that encapsulated them.
Darkness surrounded him so she could hardly make out his face. But his eyes glowed through the dark, and they were fixed on her unblinkingly. He watched her purposefully for the entire ride back, holding her in his gaze. She could only guess that his actions were intentional; he wanted her to see the way he stared and wonder what was on his mind.
She shifted and looked away, dared to glance at him, gasped to find him still on her. And when he licked his lips, a shudder ran up her body.
The smart thing to do would be to disarm. I know what is on his mind, just as I know what he means to do. I should tell him no… although that will likely make him want it more. Maybe I should ignore it, hurry to bed when we return, do everything I can to stop this now before it goes too far.
But Alison did not want that. Not really.
As they rode back in silence, and as the Earl continued to watch her, she came to understand exactly what was expected and what she desired. No more denying it. No more running from it. No more fighting it.
It was always leading here. From the first time we met, could it go any other way? What is more, did I ever expect it to?
So it was that she braced herself the best she could. The carriage ride stretched on, the silence grew, the tension built, and Alison did all that she could to ready herself for what she knew Lord Grayhill wanted from her. What she wanted from him…
They arrived shortly after at the estate.
When the carriage came to a stop, Lord Grayhill shuffled forward and opened the door. “After you,” he said to her, still watching with those unblinking eyes.
She swallowed. “Thank you.”
They walked across the driveway together. She could feel him behind her, just as she could feel his eyes devouring her with each step.
When they reached the front door, again he walked ahead and opened it. He leaned around her, his body close, making sure that she was looking right at him as she stepped inside.
“I…” She caught her breath, keeping her heart from leaping through her throat. “I think it is time for bed.”
“I could not agree more,” he said simply. “Please…” Then he extended an arm out, directing her to walk ahead. “I’ll escort you.”
“You really do not have to.”
“I insist.” It was not a question but a demand. And this time, she saw no reason to fight it.
They walked up the stairs together. Down the hall. Her bedroom was at the very end and each step they took echoed through the silent home. Alison looked ahead the whole time, able to feel Lord Grayhill’s gaze upon her.
Then they reached her room, and she walked through the door. Unsurprisingly, he followed.
She turned and pretended to act surprised. “What are you doing?”
He closed the door without breaking eye contact. “I think you know.” The door clicked shut and he walked toward her.
“Lord Grayhill…”
“Daniel,” he corrected her.
“Excuse me?”
“Daniel,” he said again. He narrowed the distance between them. “I think it is time you call me as such. Seeing as we will be spending some time together, the formalities feel unnecessary.”
“As you say…” She swallowed and tried to steady herself. “Daniel.”
He watched her silently. His eyes worked their way over her figure. The tension built. She started to shake. She wanted to say something to break the silence but could not think what. Alison had never been in a situation like this before. She had never considered such things. All she could do was stand silently, chin pointed, doing her best not to appear nervous and afraid.
And all the while her heart thumped so that she was certain he could hear it.
