Page 44 of An Unwanted Bride for the Duke
Despite herself, she nearly smiled.
“What do you want?” She finally turned her head slightly, regarding him from the corner of her eye.
Damien folded his hands behind his back and continued studying the artwork. “I was curious.”
“Curiosity is a dangerous thing.” She arched a brow.
“That is often true.” One corner of his mouth twitched.
She sighed and looked back at the painted sheep. Then she felt his hand brush against hers. Her breath hitched at the accidental touch. A heat rushed through her and she knew that a blush had formed on her cheeks.
She felt him lean away from her as though not to cause such a touch again.
His gaze shifted toward her. “What stopped you from approaching Lord Nathanson?”
Seraphine stiffened, her fingers tightening around each other.
“It is none of your business,” she said coolly.
“It is my business.” Damien's attention remained fixed on her rather than the painting.
“No.” She shook her head once.
“Yes.” His answer came without hesitation.
She turned to face him properly, her expression narrowing with suspicion. “How?”
Damien's eyes gleamed with amusement. “You requested my assistance, sweetheart. Therefore, I have become invested in the outcome.”
Seraphine resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I do not recall signing any contracts.” She folded her arms and lifted her chin.
“Verbal agreements count,” Damien replied, one corner of his mouth twitching as he regarded her.
“Not this one.” She shot him a pointed look.
“They do in my experience.” He shrugged lightly, entirely unbothered by her irritation.
The infuriating man.
She looked away. “I am not telling you why I turned away from Nathanson.” Her fingers tightened around each other as she stared at the painting.
“Why?” Damien tilted his head slightly, studying her profile.
“Because you will dismiss it.” She glanced back at him.
His eyes moved to her lips. Something shifted in his expression. For once, he looked genuinely curious. “I promise I won't.” His voice softened as he met her gaze, the teasing edge disappearing from his tone.
Seraphine hesitated. The way he looked at her mouth had her heart pumping. She had to look away.
His promise surprised her. Most people dismissed her concerns immediately. Most people had never lived under the rule of the late Earl of Donmere. Most people had never spent years learning to measure a man's temper before entering a room. Her fingers tightened together. She disliked discussing such things.
Damien waited patiently. Which somehow made it worse. Finally, she sighed and let her gaze drift back to the painting. “Iam afraid,” she admitted, twisting her fingers together in front of her. The words felt strange leaving her mouth.
Damien remained silent, merely watching her with an unreadable expression. She drew a slow breath before continuing quietly.
“I worry I shall choose poorly.”
His gaze sharpened at once, and he shifted slightly to face her more fully. “What do you mean?”
