Page 87 of Tempting the Reclusive Duke
Dinner was served in the small dining room they used for working lunches, but somehow the evening hour made it feel different. More intimate. The candlelight cast warm shadows, turning the ordinary room into something from a romantic painting.
"So," Adrian said as they were served soup, "tell me about the museum project. What exactly will you be doing?"
She launched into an explanation of her plans for the Byzantine collection, her excitement making her gestures animated. Adrian listened with that complete attention that had first drawn her to him, asking questions that showed he understood both the scholarly significance and what it meant to her personally.
"You'll need assistance," he said as the main course arrived. "Morrison perhaps, or another student. The scope of work you're describing would challenge a team of scholars."
"Thornbury mentioned the possibility of research assistants." She took a sip of wine, feeling its warmth spread through her chest. "Though I'm not certain how I'd manage them. I've never directed anyone's work before."
"Of course you have. You've been teaching Morrison for weeks now."
"That's different. He just asks questions and I answer them."
"That's teaching." Adrian leaned forward. "And you're brilliant at it. The way you guide him to discoveries rather than simply providing answers is a gift."
"You're biased," she accused, though his praise warmed her more than the wine.
"Completely and utterly biased," he agreed cheerfully. "Also correct. You'll be an excellent project leader. Firm but fair, exacting but encouraging. Your assistants will adore you."
The word hung between them...adore...carrying implications that made her pulse quicken.
"Speaking of adoration," she said, needing to deflect from the intensity in his eyes, "Morrison mentioned something about the French palimpsest. Have you thoughts on how to proceed with it?"
"Changing the subject, Miss Whitcombe?"
"Redirecting, Your Grace. There's a difference."
He laughed, allowing the shift. They discussed the palimpsest through the rest of dinner, debating the best methods for revealing the underlying text without damaging the manuscript. It was the kind of conversation that had first drawn them together; intellectual equals finding joy in shared knowledge.
By the time dessert was served, a lemon tart that made Eveline close her eyes in bliss, the tension had eased into something warmer, more comfortable.
"This is nice," she said without thinking, then blushed at the admission.
"It is." Adrian's voice was soft. "I could grow very accustomed to evenings like this. Good food, better conversation, and the woman I love across from me."
"Adrian..."
"I know. Too much, too fast." He reached across the table to take her hand. "But Eveline, surely you see where this leads? Not tomorrow or next month, but eventually?"
"I see possibilities," she said carefully. "Beautiful, terrifying possibilities that I'm not ready to fully examine."
"Fair enough." He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles that sent heat racing up her arm. "I'm a patient man when the prize is worth it."
After dinner, he walked her home despite her protests about the propriety of a duke strolling through modest neighborhoods after dark. "Let them talk," he said when she mentioned potential gossip. "I'm escorting my valued employee home after a late working dinner. Purely professional consideration."
"With your arm around my waist?"
"It's cold. I'm being solicitous of your health." But he moved his hand to a more appropriate position at her elbow.
At her door, he caught her before she could flee inside, pulling her into the shadows of the entrance.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For staying. For trusting me. For being brilliant and impossible and absolutely perfect."
"I'm far from perfect," she protested.
"Perfect for me, then." He kissed her, slow and deep, until she forgot they were standing on a public street where anyone might see.
"Goodnight, Eveline," he whispered against her lips. "Dream of Byzantine manuscripts and publishing contracts."
