Page 9 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

“Attraction means something different to everyone and has nothing to do with what makes a suitable husband. I imagine many ladies are attracted to you, but you wouldn’t be their ideal spouse.

He grinned at her soft jab. “You are right, Lady Cora. Attraction can happen between anyone, but it would be a damn shame not to have it with your husband.”

“I do have it with Lord Bellamy,” she bit out.

Blythe stood and pressed one of his hands on top of the sofa, next to her head. Shocking Cora, he dipped his head down so his mouth was a breath away from her ear. “So, when he leans in, you yearn to touch him.”

“Of course,” she said breathlessly.

His fingers traced down her throat. “Your pulse flutters rapidly when he touches you.”

“Very fast.”

He shifted back so his face was inches away from hers. Cora, for a mad moment, wondered if he would kiss her. She clenched her hands, finding herself wanting to grab onto him. His gaze moved to her mouth, and an ache flared in Cora’s body, shocking her.

They silently looked at one another. Her heart hammered, but finally Blythe released the sofa and stepped back. “Don’t settle, Cora. You should want a friend, lover, and champion. I’m sorry I can’t help.”

Before she could say more, Blythe left the library. She remained seated, drinking her wine. His words stayed lodged in her mind. You should want a friend, lover, and champion.

***

Damion stared across the Stanton Country Estate lawn, forcing himself not to search for Cora. He’d left her last night in the library with the best advice he had. He clenched his jaw, remembering her request. Damion couldn’t teach her how to tempt Bellamy. The young man, honestly, seemed too enthralled with being adored by everyone.

Stanton sighed. “How does one find a bride? Did you just know?”

No, Damion's choice of Lily had been similar to how Cora selected Bellamy. They’d been neighbors and grown up together. He proposed because they’d talked about being an ideal match as they became adults. He grimaced. “I think it is different for everyone, but my best advice is if you have any hesitation, don’t propose.”

“Unfortunately, I’m hesitant about every woman.”

“You should be right now, but as you spend more time with specific ladies, you will know,” Damion said. “Listen to your instincts.”

He hadn’t when he was younger. Truthfully, Damion had pushed any concerns aside and even reassured Lily that it was fine to be nervous. He didn’t realize until far too late that just because they seemed like the perfect match didn’t mean that was the case.

“What is my sister doing?” Stanton asked, chuckling.

Instinctively, Damion glanced where he was staring. Cora stood near Bellamy. She leaned forward and smiled at him. Bellamy looked back at her, puzzled. Damion tilted his head and studied her further. There was something familiar about her behavior.

Two other ladies giggled as she dramatically fluttered her eyelashes. Damion cringed. Cora was openly attempting to keep Bellamy’s interest. The young lord seemed confused by her actions. She grinned again, and it felt familiar.

Stanton shook his head. “I wish she’d spent more of her Seasons engaging with other suitors. She is so set on Bellamy. I’m not sure he is the right fit for her, to be honest.”

“Don’t let her marry him then.”

“The heart wants what the heart wants.”

Damion knew what Cora was feeling had nothing to do with the heart or even desire. He’d been young like her and understood why she was fixated on her friend.

“Her behavior kind of reminds me of you.”

He lifted a skeptical brow at Stanton. He laughed. “Look.”

Damion fixed his gaze on her again and frowned. She smirked in a way that was supposed to be amusing but roguish. Stanton was right. He used similar facial expressions, but on Cora, it appeared ridiculous and awkward.

Bellamy excused himself and joined Lady Clark and a few other guests in a game of lawn bowl. Cora marched toward the refreshment table. Stanton sighed. “I was afraid I would have to go interrupt her attempts at flirting. That was damn uncomfortable.”

“Your Grace, will you join us for a game?” Lady Hannah asked from another area of the lawn.

Stanton looked as if he might refuse, but his mother appeared. “Yes, of course, he will.”