Page 69 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“True,” she answered in the same easy manner he’d spoken. “You know what is often said about there being a time for every season. A time to plant and a time to reap. A time to play and a time to work. A time for praise and a time for discipline.”
He studied her again and touched her cheek with his warm hand. The gentle stroke soothed her. His gaze swept down her face and her gaze lingered on his smooth cheek. She wanted to reach up and caress it.
“I know the verses well, but I like my father’s guide to life better.”
That intrigued her. “What was it?”
“Eat, sleep, and play. Every day.”
Fredericka smiled, fighting the desire to lay her cheek on his shoulder and snuggle deep into his strong and protective embrace.
Instead, she said, “I’ve admitted I wasn’t prepared to take care of my nieces and nephew. I’ve agonized over it every day since my sister died. At times I feel so guilty it’s almost more than I can bear.”
“Guilt?” His expression filled with compassion. “You have no reason to feel guilty.”
She did but hadn’t meant to convey that to him. It was revealing more than she wanted to share with anyone. The responsibility of what she’d done in encouraging Angela to go with her husband to London that fateful day wasn’t something she ever talked about, but it never stopped haunting her. Loving the children, being the best aunt she could be was the only way she could atone for her part in Angela’s death.
“I have many reasons to feel guilt, but right now fighting Jane is more important than anything. Thank you for asking me to the dance. It’s important that we be seen together as often as possible.”
Before she could stop herself or think about what she was going to do, she gave the duke a kiss on his cheek. His skin was cool, smooth, and without a stubble of beard. He smelled of fresh-washed skin and a tangy woodsy scent. She let her lips glide slowly down his cheek until they dropped away from his jaw.
The kiss was brief but delicious and long enough to seal the feel, taste, and scent of him into her memory so she could enjoy the experience time and time again.
She settled back onto the bench. That inexplicable, unrelenting attraction between them ignited. Hot as ever and it seemed to be steadily growing instead of diminishing. She knew he was aware of it too.
“That was forward of me.”
He brushed his fingertips along her cheek again and leaned in so close there was no getting away from his penetrating stare even if she had wanted to. What he stirred inside her was heavenly. Wyatt’s caress was tantalizing and his husky words caused a quiver in her chest and stomach. Her breath felt as if it pooled in her throat until she took in a quick shallow gasp.
His gaze held steady on hers. “No, my dear wife, it wasn’t forward. It was an invitation for me to kiss you.”
Her breath leaped again. “You misunderstood,” she argued without conviction in her voice. “I wanted you to know that even though it might appear I don’t appreciate your help and sometimes I feel it’s not enough, I do. It was a thank-you.”
His chuckle was natural and pleasing. She loved looking at his handsome face in merriment. A loud burst of thunder sounded again and almost as close to her as the duke, but she didn’t want to break the spell he’d cast over her.
“You could have just said the words. I think you like kissing me.”
“Nonsense—I… I’m interested because it’s not something I’ve done many times.”
Wyatt’s beautiful eyes centered intently on hers. He slipped his hand to the back of her neck and rested hisopen palm on her nape. The soothing warmth of his touch heated her all the way to her toes. With soothing ease, tension drained from her body and she relaxed.
“It was an invitation,” he whispered again, and moved his face closer to hers. “I can’t refuse such a tempting one.”
A tingling awareness of what was about to happen gripped her as shivers of anticipation ran through her. She wanted these enticing feminine senses awakened again. At the far back reaches of her mind a worry tried to push through this beautiful moment. Wyatt was her husband, but also a privileged, titled rake who married her only for his own personal gain. She wondered if she should give in to his seduction and enjoy it?
Drawing on a thin sliver of strength, she stated with a certainty she wasn’t sure she believed, “Kissing is not something we should be thinking about or doing.”
His gaze feathered down to her lips and lingered a moment before moving slowly back to her eyes. “You want me to kiss you.”
Of course she did! In all of her life she’d never had a feeling, a taste, or an experience as all-consumingly delicious as his kisses. But was it the right thing to do for her?
A twinkle shone in his eyes. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you again.”
Her hesitation was easing. “It’s not part of our arrangement.”
“No, but I’m not thinking about that now and I don’t want you to.”
His lips touched hers lightly. Delicate. Sweet. Intoxicating. Her stomach quivered and her heart pounded. Swiftly the kiss turned eager. Wyatt slanted his lips over hers with firm, mounting pressure. He whispered hername with such feeling, it was as if he treasured how she was making him feel.
