Page 74 of Last Night with the Duke
She knew. He was much too strong for that. It just happened to be the first word that came to her mind. “I suppose I could have chosen a better word.”
His blue gaze stayed on hers. “How about ‘concerned’?”
“Yes, concerned,” she agreed, fighting with herself. Part of her wanted to step away from his caress but her stronger side wanted to remain still and enjoy the comfort his touch brought. “But what if you were the target all along and not the twins at all?”
“That is a possibility. I had a conversation with Sir Welby not too long ago. He remained firm on his story. Perhaps I should have another. I’m finding it peculiar that the Season is half over and no one has made any attempt to harm the twins.”
His hand slid down to the velvet around her neck. His fingers and thumb raked back and forth across the soft ribbon, sending trills of thrills coursing through her.
She was spellbound by his touch and steady, searching gaze on her face, but managed to keep from falling into his arms by saying, “My thoughts exactly. I was talking to your sisters today. They, too, also seemed to think the rumor had more to do with you than with them.”
His hand stilled on her throat. His features hardened. “You told them about this?”
“No, of course not,” she hurried to say. “I forgot to mention that one of the young ladies at the garden party today mentioned the gossip to them.”
“Which one?”
She had to be careful. “I promised not to tell you all that was said today. Young ladies must have some privacy.” That wasn’t exactly accurate but it wasn’t quite a prevarication either. She added, “How they know isn’t important anyway, is it?”
An easy, attractive smile formed on his lips, and her stomach tightened. His hand slid over to her ear. He caressed the lobe between his thumb and forefinger, occasionally letting his other three fingers caress the soft, sensitive skin behind her ear.
“So now you are keeping secrets from me for my sisters.”
“No.” She frowned and shook her head. It was difficult to think straight with him touching her so gently, so intimately. “I mean yes. I suppose I am but it’s—they aren’t bad secrets. It’s just that they must trust me. And you must trust me that they aren’t worried or dismayed about this whatsoever.”
Griffin lifted her chin with the pads of his fingers and looked deeply into her eyes. Esmeralda felt as if she could melt away to nothing. “I trust you.”
“So you won’t force me to tell you, will you?”
They both knew he could. He had that power over her. She was his employee. He was a duke. If he demanded it, she would have to reveal all that was said. Her breaths became dangerously shallow while she waited for him to answer.
With his middle finger he lightly drew a path from her ear over to her chin, down her chest to her cleavage, where he let his finger nestle. A light fluttering sensation attacked her chest. Lace from the cuff of his sleeve tickled and tingled her heated skin. She wondered if he knew just how heavenly it was to be so near him. Did he know that right now, she was very close to reaching up and kissing him?
“I would never force you to do anything, Esmeralda.”
His voice was husky. His expression was caring as he started drawing a pattern across the swell of her breasts with his finger, moving from one side to the other and back again. He wouldn’t force her, but he was definitely trying to seduce her.
And it was working.
“Thank you,” she said on a loud intake of excited breath as his finger dipped beneath her gown and raked across her nipple. The movement was shocking and arousing. Esmeralda gasped at his boldness even while her lower body squeezed deliciously.
“The color you are wearing tonight shows just how beautiful you are, Esmeralda.”
At last, he decided to make mention of the new gowns. And just in time too. She didn’t have the willpower to step away from the sensual plunder of her breasts, but she desperately needed something to distract her from his seduction.
“Does it?” she challenged with a slight lift of her chin.
He nodded while his fingers continued to make her body grow tighter and tighter.
“It’s about time you said something about my new clothing. I’ve worn a new gown every other night for over two weeks and you haven’t once said a word. After all your complaints about my wearing gray, I’d say it’s past time you said something about them.”
A low, attractive chuckle passed his lips as his arm went around her waist and caught her up against his chest.
Yes, that is what she wanted.
“You’re miffed at me for waiting so long to tell you how stunningly beautiful you are.”
Yes I am.
