Page 27 of It's All About the Duke
It wasn’t heavy, so it couldn’t be books. In fact, it was very light. Confections, she would have thought, but still asked, “What is it?”
“Why don’t we go into the drawing room and you can open it and see for yourself?”
“All right.”
The corridor wasn’t long but it was wide and the duke walked right beside her. Though their shoulders neverbrushed, she felt his warmth, sensed his strength, and matched the determination with which he took every step.
At the entrance to the drawing room she stopped, looked up at him, and said, “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, Your Grace, I need to ask Mrs. Doddle to go next door and let my cousin know you’re here. She’s been most anxious to talk to you again.”
“Again?” he questioned. “I don’t believe I met her the last time I was here.”
“No, you didn’t. Not then. She says the two of you met some time ago. A few years, I think. And danced. She’s recently seen you at some parties as well.”
He seemed to study on that. “I’m not sure I remember her. Mr. Olingworth only said that your widowed cousin was your companion. What’s her name?”
“Mrs. Justine Abernathy.”
He gave her another slight smile. “If she says we’ve met, I’m sure I’ll remember her when I see her.”
“Make yourself comfortable inside. I’ll return shortly.”
Marlena stared down at the package as she walked into the kitchen. She decided it had to be fruit tarts. As for the lace covering, perhaps that’s how dukes chose to wrap their gifts. Though it was still extravagant.
“Mrs. Doddle?”
The woman looked up from the kitchen table where she was thoroughly working a mound of dough. “Yes, miss. Do you need me?”
“I’d like for you to go over to Mrs. Portington’s house and tell Mrs. Abernathy the duke is here.” And then, having no idea as to why, her hands tightened on the lace box and she added, “Please feel free to finish what you’re doing first.”
“Thank you, miss. I’d like to get this in the bowl to rise. And then I’ll go as soon as I can wash.”
Marlena nodded and headed back to the drawing room feeling as if she’d done something decidedly wicked and yet feeling quite giddy about it at the same time. She’d deliberately given herself more time alone with the duke before Justine returned. Which, of course, was an utterly ridiculous thing to do!
It was impulsive, too, but she couldn’t bring herself to be upset that she’d done it.
In truth, the less time she spent with the duke, the better for her. She must remember he was the main gentleman she wrote about in her scandal sheet. She must be careful around him at all times, and manipulating a reason to be alone with him, no matter the length of time, was the last thing she should be doing.
Reprimanding herself about it didn’t help, either. She still wasn’t sorry she’d done it.
The duke stood in front of the fireplace when she walked inside the drawing room and heaven help her, she swore her heart flipped again at the sight of him. He stood tall, comfortable, and so divinely inviting. She didn’t want to take her eyes off him.
She would have to do something drastic to change her unexpected feelings and desires. So she walked straight over to him, extended the package, and said, “I thank you, Your Grace, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for me to receive a gift from you.”
A wrinkle formed along the top of his brows. “I am your guardian.”
“Still, I don’t think I should accept.”
He relaxed his stance and continued to gaze into her eyes, clearly not wanting to give up without a fight. “It’s not a personal item, Miss Fast. It’s a necessity.”
That sounded rather odd to her. “A necessity?” she questioned. “What does that mean?”
He folded his arms across his chest and gave the kindof roguish grin she’d seen on the faces of the pirates she’d seen in paintings. And it was tantalizing.
“I guess you’re going to have to open it and find out.”
Marlena sighed. “You aren’t making this easy for me, but all right.” She pulled on the ribbon and the lace fell away from a plain tin box. After dropping the ribbon and lace onto a nearby chair she took the lid off and was immediately struck by such strong scents they almost took her breath away. There were several little satin pillows and three beautiful, colorful bottles of perfume.
Stunned, she looked up at him. “Contrary to whatyouthink, perfume is not a necessity for a lady. Nor is it appropriate. I can’t accept this from you and you should realize that.”
