Page 17 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
He took a long swallow of his wine, and she wished she could remove his neck cloth, watch the movements of his throat as he indulged in the red bouquet. She didn’t know why she had this blasted obsession with removing his clothes. No other man had ever caused these thoughts to spiral recklessly through her mind, but then no other man she’d encountered up close was as fine a specimen as the one before her now.
“I believe it is mandatory for dukes to have a box at the theater,” he finally said.
“I’ve never been to the London theater. It is on my list of things I should like to do in my life.”
“Did Mr. Sharpe not take you?”
She was surprised he’d brought up her husband. She would have thought it bad form to mention another man to a woman one was attempting to seduce. “We never visited London. Instead, we moved to India two seconds after we were married.”
“Why India?”
She gave him a small smile. “You expect me to reveal my past while you refuse to reveal yours?”
“I’m sure yours is more interesting. Where else have you traveled?”
“Only to India. My husband had business there.”
“Where were you raised?”
“To the north.”
His luscious mouth that no doubt tasted of dark wine now spread into a slow grin. “Seems you are as forthcoming as I.”
“Stubborn more like,” she said, sipping her own wine. “I won’t reveal my past if you won’t reveal yours.”
“Then we must concentrate on the present.”
She paid little attention to the number of courses brought out, but she knew their dinner was coming to an end when a piece of cake coated in chocolate was set before her. As she enjoyed her first bite, she released a little moan. “That is scrumptious.”
Reaching across, he stroked his thumb at the corner of her mouth. She saw a bit of chocolate on it just before he slipped it between his lips. “Indeed you are.”
Molten heat spiraled through her. Why did she have these reactions when he barely touched her, merely gazed at her, smiled? Dare she risk another kiss tonight?
After he signed his name in a small book the footman brought him, Avendale got to his feet and helped her out of her chair. As they walked through the dining room, his large hand lighted on the small of her back, nonchalantly and yet possessively. She could not help but feel he was laying claim to her in front of anyone who was here.
“Perhaps you would join me for a private card game,” he said quietly as they stepped into the main area. “I’ve had a secluded room arranged.”
Stopping, she shifted slightly to face him and fought to appear as innocent as possible. “How many will be playing?”
His eyes darkened with promise. “Only you and I.”
She considered, but knew it was too soon. It was always to her advantage to leave them wanting. “I am tempted, Your Grace.Youtempt me, but I think we both know that it could prove very dangerous and lead to destinations to which I am not yet ready to travel.”
“I would be on my best behavior.”
“Yourbestcould prove to be very bad indeed. I truly appreciate dinner, but I must be off now. Perhaps another night.” Rising up on her toes, placing a hand on his shoulder for balance, she lightly brushed her lips along his cheek before whispering in his ear, “I shall be riding in Hyde Park tomorrow at four.”
Then without a backward glance, she left him standing there. Once again, she was aware of his gaze homed in on her, was aware of everything about him. She was spinning a web and knew that with him, she had to be careful that she wasn’t the one who became ensnared in it.
Chapter 4
“The duchess is here to see you, Your Grace,” Thatcher announced.
At the desk in his library the following afternoon, Avendale looked up from the note he’d been penning to his mother. Thatcher continued to refer to her as the duchess, although she’d not been a duchess for a good many years, not since she’d married a commoner. But for Thatcher, who had been in her employ long before he was in Avendale’s, she would always remain the duchess.
“Inform her that I’m not at home.”
Thatcher merely looked at him.
