Page 43 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
“Are you enjoying the shopping?” the duke asked.
Anastasia smiled. “I haven’t bought anything yet,” she admitted.
“You must have seen something appealing. Look at these colours!” the duke declared. He waved a hand at the ribbons. “Like a paintbox.”
“I suppose,” Anastasia giggled.
“That one. Cobalt blue,” the duke murmured, reaching for the ribbon that she had been gazing at. “Do you like it?”
Anastasia felt her eyes widen. “I do like it,” she admitted.
The duke smiled. “Your eyes are a fine match for it.”
“They are?”
“Yes.”
Anastasia felt heat flood her and she resisted the urge to fan herself. The compliment made her entire body catch fire. She tried to look away, but a happy smile lifted her lips, and she found she did not want to hide her delight.
She gazed over at Camilla, who was talking to the stallholder as he wrapped her purchases. They were commenting about the weather. She saw the duke grin.
“Anastasia?” Camilla called. “Shall we go somewhere else?” She had a small parcel wrapped in paper in her hand, the ribbons carefully covered so that they would not stain.
“I...” Anastasia hesitated. She still had not decided if she should buy the ribbon.
“Will you not take it?” the duke asked.
“I shouldn’t...” Anastasia began.
Camilla rolled her eyes and the duke laughed.
“Oh, very well!” Anastasia was laughing as she reached into her drawstring reticule. “How much is that?” she asked the stallholder.
“Sixpence, my lady.”
Anastasia winced at the price, but she reached into her reticule and took out the money. The duke reached out to touch her hand. She froze at the contact, her eyes meeting his.
“Allow me,” he murmured before she passed over the coinage.
“Your Grace...”
Anastasia ceased to object as the duke leveled a harsh gaze at the stallholder, who had been about to take Anastasia’s coin. A minute later, the fellow was passing Anastasia the paper-wrapped parcel while she replaced the coin in her purse.
“Thank you.”
“No need,” he murmured.
They held eyes.
Camilla was chuckling with somebody at the other stall. Anastasia held his gaze for a few moments and then she had to turn as their chaperone, and then Camilla, wandered off.
“I declare!” Camilla said as they walked across the market toa stall selling jewelry. The Duke exhibits a marked tendency to smile when in your presence.”
“No!” Anastasia chuckled, flapping a hand at her. She knew her cheeks were red, and she did not care. Seeing the duke again, even just for a few minutes, made her spirit soar and her heart sing.
She could feel the ribbon in her purse, and she felt her heart lift as though it was flying. She might not be able to wear it, lest someone—her father, that was—saw it. But she would put it in her drawer and keep it forever, always recalling the moment when he had talked and laughed with her at the market.
She would always remember his gentle, sweet words and how his eyes had held hers. She could not stop smiling.
