Page 50 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
“I’m not frightened. I don’t frighten.”
He noted she hadn’t said she didn’t want him to kiss her. “Aren’t you curious regarding what it might be like between us?”
She thrust her glass toward him. “I could do with more whisky.”
He couldn’t stop his grin, but he did manage to make it look not quite so victorious as he exchanged her glass for his. “Have you ever been kissed?”
“None of your bleedin’ business.” She took a swallow of the whisky, licked her lips. How was any man to resist such an innocent yet provocative action?
But resist he did as he gently wiped the cloth over her high cheekbone. He couldn’t imagine a tavern owner wouldn’t have had men in her life. But if she had, why would the thought of a kiss make her nervous? Because of where it could lead? Because of where she wanted it to lead?
She certainly didn’t give the impression he repulsed her. Wouldn’t she have moved away from him if he did, instead of turning her face toward him like a bud in want of direct sunlight so he had easier access to that side of her face? “Appears you have a slight bruise on this cheek. Does it hurt?”
“No.” Her voice was soft, wary.
“Do you often get into skirmishes with your customers?”
“Not usually. Bad for business.”
“You think a lot about what’s bad for business.”
“Without a doubt. I want to have success, make my own way. Not be dependent on anyone.”
He moved the cloth down to her chin where another bruise loomed. She thought herself tough but his gut clenched at how easily she could be hurt. “You’re to be admired, Gillie.”
“I’m not so unlike anyone else trying to survive, except I’ve been extremely fortunate to be in a family where everyone works together. We help each other out whenever we can. Like right this minute, I suspect my brothers are downstairs, straightening up the mess.”
This woman had every right to complain about her life, the harshness of it. Instead she met it head-on and worked hard to make it better for herself. “Is Beast your brother as well?”
“Yes.”
“Beast, Aiden, Finn, and Mick. And your sister?”
“Fancy.” Suddenly she seemed self-conscious. “She’s the only one my mum gave birth to, but even so she was born out of wedlock. She’s much younger than the rest of us, and we all strive to protect her.”
“Now that you mention her, I believe I recall seeing her at the wedding. Someone pointed her out.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you noticed her. She’s very pretty.”
“You’re pretty as well.”
She scoffed, looked at him sadly. “Not like her. She’s delicate and refined.”
“Beauty comes in all forms, Gillie.” A week ago, he’d thought it only came in satin and silk, and now he saw it in coarse muslin and soft linen.
She closed her eyes as he traced the damp cloth along the narrow, delicate bridge of her nose. Her burnished eyelashes, darker at the tips, rested just above her cheeks. Her mouth was a temptation in which he could not yet indulge. He would not take until she was ready and he sensed she was not yet so. Slowly, tenderly, he moved to the other cheek. She opened her eyes, the green and brown rich and inviting.
“Why did you come tonight?” she asked softly.
To see you. Because I couldn’t stay away.He almost lied; he almost told her that he wanted to discuss further where they would search for his bride, but he could no more lie to this woman than he could leave her side when she was hurt. “Earlier in the evening, I received another missive from Lavinia. She pleads with me to let her be.”
“Lavinia?” A slight pleat appeared between her brows. “A fancy name your bride has.”
“Indeed.”
“Are you going to stop searching for her?”
“I haven’t quite decided. She said there is another. I assume she is with him, yet still I feel a need to ensure all is well.”
