Page 19 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

What did that mean? He wouldn’t dwell on it. Cora was right about one thing—he had locked his heart away long ago, permanently.

Chapter 8

Cora sipped her punch as she watched couples swirl around the dance floor. Tonight, her family was hosting a grand ball, the main event of the week. Over the next few days, all the attendees of the estate party would depart. Her brother, to her mother’s complete disappointment, still remained unattached.

She glanced at Christopher, frowning. He danced with another lady, but truthfully, he’d been more attentive than usual. Cora danced with him twice so far this evening. She should be delighted, but she was distracted. She glanced to where Damion stood with her brother and others. Stop it.

They hadn’t spoken since she left him in the library the previous night. Who was he to tell her what love should look like? Damion turned her way, and her stomach clenched. She yanked her gaze away immediately. Cora wouldn’t focus on a man who knew nothing about love. Everyone acted as if he did, but she knew his secret. It was an awful one, but still it made him no expert.

“I think he may ask for you,” her friend Abigail said, joining her.

She forced herself to smile. “He’s been more attentive tonight.”

Abigail frowned as she looked back and forth between Cora and Christopher. “Does he make your heart flutter?”

She turned her head to study Christopher. He happened to look her way at the same time and beamed. Cora smiled back; years of true friendship existed between them. Shouldn’t that be a solid basis for marriage?

Cora sighed, wondering if she should feel something more physical for him. Still, she wasn’t a heart-fluttering type of girl. Liar. With Damion, Cora had felt the very emotion Abigail was hinting at.

“He makes me happy.”

“Has anyone made you feel more than that?”

Yes, Damion, but Cora would never admit it aloud. It wasn’t real, she told herself. He was a rake and probably made every lady feel the same way.

Abigail’s eyes widened at her lack of response. “Someone has.”

“I plan to kiss Christopher tonight. I’m sure that will change everything.”

It needed to. She needed to stop thinking about Damion. He’d taken up too much space in her thoughts. Cora could not and would not fall for a man so drastically different from what she always envisioned. It wouldn’t do.

“He is coming this way,” Abigail whispered, nodding to their left.

Christopher walked toward them with a large smile on his face. Yes, he was the man for her. “Lady Cora, would you go for a walk with me in the gardens. The weather this evening is exceptional, even better than the last few nights.”

Her family gardens had been popular during the week-long party. She nodded. “I would love to.”

Cora placed her arm on his. After saying goodbye to Abigail, they strolled toward the terrace. She glanced around the ballroom, instinctively searching for Damion. Cora forced herself to stop.

They continued down the terrace stairs and into the gardens. Laughter and conversations swirled around them. Christopher was right. It was a lovely night, and Cora wasn’t surprised that multiple people were out and about.

“I’m glad we have some time to ourselves. I apologize that so many people’s interest in my trip has taken up most of my time. It will settle down.”

Without thinking, she asked, “Do you think you may want to go abroad again?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure that is something that is an option. I planned my travels now to get them out of the way.”

They walked down a quieter path. “I would love to visit some of the places you’ve been to.”

Christopher chuckled. “It is very different in person than reading about it.”

She stiffened at his words, sensing his remarks were an insinuation that she shouldn’t travel. His opinions were so different from Damion’s. He’d encouraged her to explore the world. They reached a grassy clearing with a fountain surrounded by tall hedges. It was a romantic setting. They stopped, and Christopher stared at her intently.

He was going to kiss her. And she suspected it wouldn’t be like the chaste one they’d shared before his travels. Determination filled his face. She’d never seen him so serious before. Shockingly, Cora was tempted to avoid kissing him, but curiosity got the better of her. Maybe with this one act, passion would grow between them. She did as Damion taught her and leaned closer, but not too near. Christopher dipped his head down, watching her. She asked softly, “Christopher, would you kiss me?”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. His soft lips pressed against hers. She grasped his shoulder, holding onto him. Christopher slid his tongue along her lips, parting them. The kiss was nice. He deepened it, leisurely exploring her mouth.

Eventually, they broke apart. She stared into Christopher’s eyes. They weren’t clouded with passion, but at least glowed with warmth. Maybe that was enough? Why was she even questioning it?