Page 33 of Last Night with the Duke
“Good,” he answered. “Should you need anything, or if anything happens you think I should know, tell Sparks to find me and I will come to you.”
I will come to you.
His words created a slow curl of sensation in her stomach. “I understand and will do so, but I don’t foresee any complications arising that should require your immediate attention.”
“Then I should leave you to get settled in.”
She thought he was going to move away from her, but instead he stepped closer, lowered his voice, and said, “You didn’t use the dressmaker I suggested.”
That statement took her aback. Her first thought was to deny it, but that would have been foolish, not to mention dishonest. The truth was always the best answer even when it might be the hardest thing to say.
“No,” she admitted.
“Why?”
The word wasn’t accusing in any way. It was so softly spoken, it was almost sensual. Her breathing increased. “I found her much too expensive, and I’m far too practical to overspend when it isn’t necessary. But how did you know?”
“I told her not to let you have anything in the color gray.”
Shocked, she whispered, “You didn’t.”
“I did. I told you, I take care of my own, Miss Swift. You are a part of my household.”
Her chest tightened. The muscles in her abdomen quivered enticingly.I take care of my own.I will come to you. You are a part of my household.More innocently spoken words that sent all of her senses reeling, and reminded her that he was standing so close she could feel the heat from his strong body, smell the shaving soap that had bathed his face, and hear his calm, steady breathing. She must find a way not to be seduced by words that were never intended the way they fell on her ears.
He was gently caressing her with his gaze. But then perhaps she was caressing him with hers too.
Somehow she managed to ask, “Is there a reason you don’t want me wearing gray?”
“It’s a matronly color.”
“And it suits perfectly for my position here in your household as chaperone.”
“Then perhaps gray is the best color for you after all, but the square of white lace covering your hair must go.”
Without thinking she reached up and touched the small scarf, then slowly let her hand slide down the side of her head. “It makes me look older.”
“I know.” He bent his face closer to hers. “You have no need to look older when you’re in this house, do you? We all know your age.”
“Very well, I’ll do as you ask.”
His face moved closer until he touched his nose to hers. Not knowing what to say or do, she was rigid. He caressed her nose with his for a moment or two before letting it glide across her skin where he pressed his cheek against hers.
What the duke was doing was highly inappropriate behavior, but the thrill of his light touch was so new to her she couldn’t back away from him. For a moment, Esmeralda thought she might swoon, but then, with his lips resting so close to her ear, he whispered, “You know I’m attracted to you, don’t you, Miss Swift?”
No, she didn’t know. She only knew how she felt. Her breath turned hard and choppy. Her heart started twirling like a spinning wheel again. Something wonderful and eager unfurled and fluttered deep inside her. All she had to do was turn her head, and their lips would meet. She would then know what it would feel like to be kissed.
“And you are attracted to me.”
“No,” she lied without hesitation. She had to. She couldn’t expose herself to him and become more vulnerable than she already was. She had to think of Josephine and not the disturbing and sensuous and confusing feelings going on inside her at his nearness.
He kept his lips at her ear. His tone was soft and melodious as he said, “Yes, Miss Swift. You are. I sense it. I feel it. I know it. But I don’t mind you denying it.”
She silently prayed he wouldn’t ask her again to admit that to him. It would be her undoing and she would probably collapse into his arms and beg him to kiss her before she fainted.
“But you also know I can’t do anything about our attraction to each other, don’t you?” he continued in the soft husky voice that was mesmerizing her.
Her heart was pounding so fiercely and her breathing was so shallow, she couldn’t say anything. She was past talking unless she whisperedKiss me now!
