Page 156 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
“I did exactly as you instructed.”
“You anticipated.”
He took her wrist again. “This time, let your body move before your arm.”
She concentrated. Slipped neatly free.
His brows lifted. “Very good.”
A grin spread across her face. “I escaped.”
Pleased with herself, she attempted the movement once more. Only this time her foot caught awkwardly beneath her skirt. The room tilted. Before she reached the floor, strong arms caught her effortlessly.
One settled around her waist. The other steadied her shoulder. Jane looked up. Hector’s face hovered only inches from hers.
“I believe,” he said quietly, “that was not part of today’s lesson.”
“No.”
She made no effort to step away. Neither did he.
“You’ve improved greatly.”
“I’ve had an excellent instructor.”
His eyes drifted briefly toward her lips before returning to meet hers. “I should probably let you go.”
“You probably should.”
Still neither of them moved. The silence between them felt different now. She reached up and smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from the front of his shirt.
“I believe you’ve forgotten the lesson entirely.”
“I believe you’re correct.”
“What are you thinking about instead?”
He smiled. “I’m trying to remember every reason I ought to behave like a proper gentleman.”
“Do you need to be a perfect gentleman with your wife?”
His hand tightened ever so slightly at her waist. “I’m failing rather spectacularly.”
He leaned down and kissed her. The kiss began slowly, then it deepened as she rose onto her toes and rested her hands against his shoulders.
His arms held her securely, close enough that she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. When they finally drew apart, they were both smiling.
“I believe,” Hector murmured, “our lesson has concluded.”
Jane laughed. “I learned quite a bit.”
“So did I.”
Still smiling, they left the practice room together, their hands naturally finding each other before they had taken three steps.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The weather could not have been more perfect for a picnic.
