Page 8 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

Blythe strode to a small table with wine and glasses, pouring them both one. He handed her a glass. “Sit.”

Hope filled Cora that he might assist her. She sat on the sofa, and Blythe settled into a wingback chair across from her. Gone was the charming man from earlier this evening, and in his place was a far more serious person. Her gaze flitted down him. His large frame filled the chair, and he sat with his legs spread, a glass resting on his knee. She swallowed nervously, more uncertain he’d help.

She took a sip of her wine as he asked, “Besides being your neighbor and friend, what makes Bellamy ideal?”

Cora frowned, not sure what he meant. “I can still visit my family often, and we have complementary interests.”

“So, you and Bellamy plan to travel more?”

She would love to see the world, but knew that Christopher regarded his recent travels as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rather than something he’d do again. “No, he will be busy with his family's estate. His trip was his last hurrah before working more closely with his father. Still, he supports my love of geography.”

“I’m a duke and have traveled and plan to do it again in the future. Going abroad isn’t so far-fetched for Bellamy and you if he plans accordingly. Do you want to see the Mediterranean Sea or even the Euphrates River?”

“It isn’t common for ladies to do a grand tour.”

“That isn’t what I asked,” he said, interrupting her. “Where would you go if given the chance?”

“The Mediterranean and the Americas. My favorite maps are from those regions.”

“You should do it. Would Bellamy be supportive?” Blythe asked.

Cora never considered traveling anywhere. Maybe someday to France, but with the country still dealing with so much turmoil, she suspected it might be later in life. Would Christopher ever want to do a grand tour again? Stop. Blythe was confusing her goals. Traveling wasn’t one of them.

“Whether we choose to go abroad or not doesn’t matter to me.”

He smiled sadly at her. Cora didn’t like it. “Lord Bellamy is a catch and would make a sufficient husband.”

“Explain to me how?”

Annoyance surged in her. “We have been friends for years. He understands everything about me.”

Blythe nodded. “That is a good point. Friendship with your partner is an admirable thing to want.”

“Since before we could walk,” Cora added.

Sipping his wine, he said, “What about desire?”

Her eyes went wide. No one besides Abigail discussed such topics with her, not even Christopher. “Of course, we will desire one another.”

He smirked as if he understood something she didn’t. “Are you attracted to Bellamy?”

She blushed. “Yes.”

Blythe took another sip of wine. “So, Bellamy heightens your senses and makes you tremble when he is near.”

Cora wasn’t sure she had ever thought about such things. Still, she was confident he would once they spent more time together. “Of course.”

“Have you kissed him?”

They’d shared one kiss before he left. It had been a quick one. She nodded. His eyes darkened. “How did it feel?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about these things. It seems improper.”

“No more so than sending a rogue a note to meet with him late at night,” he retorted.

She found herself missing the charming Blythe from earlier today. This man was far more grumpy. “It was only for your assistance.”

“Here I am helping you,” he said, placing his wineglass on the table next to him.