Page 30 of It's All About the Duke
He was truly devilish.
And she couldn’t let it go, saying, “It’s quite informative,” sounding a little more peeved than she should have, but who wouldn’t be a little upset at his lack of respect for the effort she put into every word.
“I’m sure most ladies will find it so.” He moved closer to her again.
“I expect they will.”
“But you know if I read it, I won’t have any excuses for not changing my wicked ways. Miss Truth will have told me everything about the proper way to behave toward a lady.”
“Then you’d best get to reading, Your Grace, because you have a lot to learn.”
He slowly shook his head as his gaze held on hers once again. “Would you like to hear what I’m thinking right now?”
“That there are some things I know more about than you do.”
“No, that I want to kiss you.”
Chapter 8
He could be a rake if he refuses to let a lady win the argument gracefully and she has to take measures into her own hands.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
Marlena suddenly felt so light she didn’t know if she was still standing on the floor or floating just above it.
The duke wanted to kiss her? What did she think about that?
Yes!
He pulled his hands from around his back and caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers.
That startled Marlena but she didn’t back away. She couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted to. His touch was warm, tender. Neither Mr. Olingworth nor any other man had ever touched her in such a sensual way. Not her hand, not her cheek, and certainly not her heart, but…
No. She would not allow her thoughts to go there.
The duke wanted to kiss her!
And someone help her, instead of being affronted, she wanted him to.
This was wrong. Madness even. She was drawn to one of the Rakes of St. James in a wanton way. And worst of all, she was having difficulty controlling her desire for him.
It was her common sense that finally rallied to save her. She stepped back and her legs and buttocks hit the edge of her secretary. She could go no farther.
The duke smiled mischievously. He was enjoying this battle with her and it looked as if he was set to win. That roguish, victorious expression he gave her boosted her courage.
One of the many things her cousins had taught her was to never cower and she wouldn’t. She lifted her chin. Her breaths were shallow and fast. Her chest heaved as her gaze locked onto his. Yes, she had courage, but it was weak.
“That would be highly inappropriate, Your Grace,” she managed to say past her raging thoughts and her breathless feelings.
“I know.”
“Then why would you want to do it?”
He lowered his head, bringing his face very close to hers. “Human nature, Miss Fast. You are a young lady and I’m a man. But you are also beautiful, bold, and your wit is commendable and pleasing. I find all those traits desirable.”
“Mr. Olingworth was my guardian and he never said he found me desirable or that he wanted to kiss me.” Though there were times a hug or a pat on the top of her head would have been nice when she’d picked flowers and given them to him. “In fact, in all the years I was with him, he never touched me at all. And you touched me twice the first day we met.”
The duke lowered his head toward her upturned face. “I’m pleased to know Mr. Olingworth is a true gentleman, as was my father. I am not. I want to kiss you. I don’t mind telling you, and I think you want me to kiss you.”
