Page 15 of My Dearest Duke

“Kingston,” she breathed, disbelief and perhaps a tinge of relief weighing her husky contralto. “Is it really you?”

How long had it been since he’d seen her?

Eight years? Ten?

Ever since that Christmas when Gabriel had invited him to call upon his family in London before Kingston joined his in Canterbury for the holiday.

She’d been a spirited young girl, just starting to show the signs of the beauty she’d become. He’d only ever looked at her as Gabriel’s, oftentimes annoying, younger sister. Never as an alluring woman.

Even with the mask covering half of her face, there was no denying she was exquisite. Accented by the black satin, her pearly skin, so soft Kingston wanted to run a finger over her cheek, glowed in the corridor’s candlelight.

With hair as fair as hers, one would expect her rosebud lips to be peach or pink, but they were a deep berry red and slightly moist as if she’d just licked them. Never had a mouth held such appeal, and at this moment, those slightly parted lips caused a sharp surge of desire in Kingston’s inexplicably too-tight trousers.

What kind of a bounder lusted after the sister of the friend whose death he was responsible for?

She must never, ever know that ugly truth.

The mahogany longcase clock standing regally farther down the corridor chimed the quarter-hour.

“Yes, Vanessa. It’s me.” He flicked the edge of her hideous black lace cap. “Find this in the bottom of your Grandmama’s trunk?” he jested, quite adoring the way her face flushed.

“Stars above,” she breathed, ignoring his teasing as a radiant smile arced her pretty mouth. She’d always ignored his teasing, even as a young girl.

A tendril of her perfume, verbena and jasmine, drifted to him. So sweet and innocent. Just like her.

“I cannot countenance it,” she declared, placing a hand on his forearm and giving it a sound squeeze. Not a dainty press, but a hearty I-am-truly-happy-to-see-you squeeze. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

Offering a nascent smile, still confounded at coming upon her here, Kingston took one of her gloved hands in his. At once, he was awestruck at the delicacy of her small bones.

“This is no place for you, Vanessa. Why are you here?”

“That is precisely what I would also like to know,” came a slightly amused female voice.