Page 6 of The Duke and the Widow
Resigning himself to his fate, he spoke again through gritted teeth. “Will you allow me to carry you, then?”
“That would be most kind of you, Your Grace.” She fluttered her eyelashes, and he looked away to keep from rolling his eyes directly in her face.
He scooped her up, and she made a show of wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him tighter than she ought. James quickened his pace, deciding that the faster he got her inside, the faster he might rid himself of her.
Once they entered the salon from the terrace, he deposited her on the nearest settee. “I shall fetch a maid to tend to you.” His words were hurried, and he departed from her presence before she could ask any more of him. He knew the maid was wholly unnecessary since the chit had made the whole thing up, but he did as he said and told the first maid he found about the miss in need of assistance.
Avoiding the salon at all costs, he bypassed the room and exited to the terrace from a long hallway. For a moment, he thought it might have just been easier to just visit a brothel after all. But when he saw Lady Preston leaning to smell the bloom of a rose from the bushes that lined the grass around the terrace, something about her called to him. It became far easier to understand why seamen were lured to their deaths by the allure of a siren.
Her friend was still at her side, but he wouldn’t allow anything else to keep him from engaging her in conversation. He descended the staircase from the terrace and approached them at the line of bushes. “My ladies, you both look lovely this morning.”
The redhead gave him a knowing look, and he could only assume she was aware of her friend’s reputation.
“Your Grace, have you been introduced to Lady Lily yet?” Lady Preston asked.
He took the lady’s hand and bowed over it. “I haven’t had the pleasure, but I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady.”
“You as well, Your Grace,” Lady Lily said.
“Do you know what our hostess has planned for us next?” he asked, including both ladies in his question.
“I believe a luncheon shall be set up on the terrace shortly,” Lady Preston replied.
Before he could say anything else, Lord Knox approached, and James fought his irritation. If he were bested again in getting an audience with the woman of his desire, he might have to resort to throwing her over his shoulder.
“Lady Lily, might we go for a stroll in the gardens before luncheon?”
James almost released an audible sigh that his luck might finally change and he’d get the beauty alone.
“That would be lovely, my lord,” she replied. She caught Lady Preston’s attention. “Surely you will be all right on your own?” She posed it as a question, but by the way she smirked at her friend, it gave James the impression that it was more of a jest. Perhaps they had even discussed him, which might be a point in his favor.
“Of course,” Lady Preston replied. “Have a pleasant stroll. I am sure His Grace will make for fine company.”
The pair departed, finally leaving him alone with the only woman he wished to speak with. Before anyone else could approach, he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, escorting her on a stroll in the yard, away from the other guests who still congregated under the tent set up for those who didn’t partake in the game.
“My lady, I believe you owe me a list of requirements.”
Chapter 4
Rosinahadtogivethe duke credit for his efforts. He had certainly worked hard to earn an audience with her. She found it amusing, especially when Miss Stone made such a show to get him to carry her back inside. The chit was certainly trying her hardest to snag a duke.
Rosina could tell the man was annoyed to no end by the situation, but he did what was expected of him, then was right back in her sphere, trying to catch her attention. It felt good to be pursued. Her other arrangements began because she selected the men and was the one to do the pursuing.
She found she enjoyed being chased a bit, almost as if she were being courted, which was a silly notion since she didn’t wish for such nonsense. But she was still a woman, and she could admit that part of her longed to be desired and wanted, and that certainly seemed to be the case with the duke.
“Well, the first requirement is attraction, my dear duke.” She grinned up at him as they continued on their slow stroll.
“And do I meet that requirement?” he asked, playing the part of the haughty duke.
“I suppose.”
“Minx,” he hissed. “I am willing to admit that you very much meet the requirement for me if you must know. What else?”
Even if she had suspected he found her attractive, a lady always relished hearing such things, especially from a man as handsome as the one beside her. And he was a duke, so women threw themselves at him, leaving him with plenty of options.
“I require discretion. Many may assume if you spend time in my company that we have an arrangement of sorts, but we need not confirm it for them. Let them wonder and assume.”
“That would be a requirement for me as well, so I am in agreement.”
