Page 39 of Love, the Duke
In silence she read the title:
Debrett’s Peerage and Baronetage.
Her lips parted in a silent breath of delight. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the book she’d longed to get her hands on.
Near speechless and trying to slow her heartbeat again, Ophelia found her voice as she took the large volume from him. “I am more than happy.”
“I would have gotten it for you before now, but I was hoping to persuade you from your pursuit by not helping you.”
Ophelia felt as if her heart were swelling as she held the book to her chest. The duke could play the hardened rake well, but he had a kind heart, and he’d just shown her the extent of that kindness.
Before she sought reason or rhyme why, and without thought or pause, she took a step closer to him. “I know this will make a difference in my search to clear my brother’s name. I can’t tell you how I desperately needed this encouragement today.”
He looked in the direction of the small table where the letter from Maman’s friend was located.
“Did you receive bad news today?” he queried.
“Disappointing,” she answered, looking at him so intensely it pulled her field of vision away from all surroundings. “The bishop will be appointing a new vicar soon. He could arrive at Wickenhamden within a matter of days.”
“I know that was unwelcomed news.”
“Very.” She inhaled so deeply her chest heaved as she hugged the book. “But this was good news. Thank you.”
“Enough, Ophelia.” He signaled his impatience and gently took the book from her hands and leaned it against the side of the house. “If you have more gratitude, deliver it in a physical manner.” He stepped closer to her. “A handshake, a pat on my shoulder and a ‘jolly good,’ or even offer a kiss—on my cheek if necessary for your modesty—but no more words.”
A kiss?Her heart started pounding.
“Just use the book well.”
A hasty puff of air forced past her lips. “I will.”
“I hope it is the magic you are looking for.” Pointing a finger and a hot gaze at her, he warned, “And don’t get caught.”
By the way he looked at her, he knew she wasn’t going to stop slipping into book rooms just because she had Debrett’s volume. “I don’t intend to.”
Her breathing became shallow and fast. Perhaps she had lost all thought and good sense, blaming their absence on the gratefulness that he’d brought her the book she’d so desired. Whatever the reason, she found herself taking a tentative step closer to him.
The duke lowered his face to no more than a few inches above hers. The warmth from his body was so close she felt it and heard the uneven rhythm of his breathing and caught the clean scent of shaving soap. His eyes seemed to be memorizing her face.
Staring into his handsome green eyes, she considered her feelings of doubt about his desire for her, discarded them, and asked, “Do you want to kiss me?”
“What I want right now is nothing you should want.” His voice was husky, sensual, intimate.
What he said was probably true, but she was fairly sure she wanted it anyway. The feel of his lips on hers, the strength of his arms around her, holding her close, and to taste the unbridled passion she’d read about in poetry. And she wanted it all from the irascible but captivating duke. The problem was, she didn’t know how to let him know or whether he wanted to oblige.
“I want you to kiss me,” he said huskily.
Her heart hammered foolishly. That didn’t sound right. She thought it was always the man who kissed the lady, but perhaps it didn’t matter. She didn’t really know. She couldn’t ever remember seeing her parents kiss, and her brother had never married. Not that she would have seen them kiss if he had a wife.
Confused by the trail of her own thoughts about something as intimate as a kiss, and the tightness in her chest, she couldn’t do anything but admit the truth, “I don’t know how.”
He waited silently, keeping his penetrating gaze on hers.
For a moment, she wondered if she was brave enough to say what was on the tip of her tongue, but then the words left her mouth with confidence: “Will you show me?”
His breath hitched and a pleased smile spread seductively over his lips. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever asked me to do for you, Ophelia,” he rasped. “And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
The duke slid his hand to the back of her neck. It was deliciously and intensely intimate for him to be touching her in such a way, but she didn’t want him to stop. He bent his head closer. Her eyes closed without prompting, andshe felt his lips brush feather soft over hers with the merest amount of tender, languid pressure. His lips were cool and refreshing. In that timeless span of a short moment, all her insides tightened and tingled. She didn’t know how he’d filled her with such intense pleasure just by a mere kiss.
