Page 57 of A Virgin for the Duke of Thorns

Nothing, she realized with startling clarity.

In fact, she might even welcome his advances.

When it came to Colin Fitzroy, she had—thus far—displayed a startling ability to lose all of her senses—common or otherwise.

She sighed as she turned once more in bed. Somehow, that did not feel so very bad at all, losing one’s mind to a man.

Or a Wolf, a sly voice whispered in the back of her head.

By the time she finally fell asleep, it was well past midnight, and even then, her dreams were full of a certain ravenous Wolf making a delightful meal out of her.

Little lamb, indeed, he had called her. She found that she was starting to like that nickname, for all she pretended to dislike it.

CHAPTER 23

The next day dawned bright and cheery on the guests—with the sole exception of Alice, who found that it was close to daybreak when she finally managed to slip into a fitful slumber.

Fortunately, breakfast in the country was served much later than usual, and the guests had only started to go down to the breakfast room when she finally managed to stumble in after drowsily managing through her morning ablutions and the most tedious task of getting herself dressed for the viewing privilege of all the other guests.

“The gentlemen will be going for a hunt today,” Lady Brandon had announced when she sailed into her bedroom earlier. “The rest of the womenfolk will be enjoying a picnic, thank goodness,” she added when she saw that her eldest daughter was in no condition to participate in any of the games.

A picnic is nothing more than a fancy way to put oneself on display in a different setting—namely, the outdoors.

Alice supposed she should be glad for the opportunity, as more guests had arrived later last night and early that morning. After all, she was to be on the lookout for a supposedly superior match compared to her current betrothal. With less than three weeks left in their original agreement, she should be putting more effort into her search.

Unfortunately, all she could think about was Colin and how his kisses made her toes curl in her shoes. How the very thought of him holding her, touching her made her body warm and soft at the same time.

She seriously doubted if she could find a better match than him.

“You look as if you did not sleep a single wink,” Phoebe remarked under her breath as they sat down for breakfast. “Did he?—”

Alice quickly shook her head, and her sister heaved a sigh of relief.

“Well, he should not, really,” Phoebe reassured her older sister. “If he knew what was right and proper, and considering the… terms of your agreement.”

Alice bit her lower lip as she aggressively buttered her toast. Her younger sister’s words made sense. Even as his betrothed, she should not be allowing him such privileges. As his fake betrothed, he should be allowed even less.

But still, it was as if he had lit a hunger within her in that study last night. All she could think about, dream about, was Colin Fitzroy.

“Perhaps I am just not used to the place yet,” she murmured in reply. “That and the excitement of everything.”

Her sister did not say anything more, although she shot her a knowing look. Alice merely ducked her head and focused on her breakfast as if her very existence depended on it.

Much later, after the guests were done with their meal, Lady Wellington once more came out with an announcement regarding the day’s activities.

“As you might have guessed, the young ladies shall be enjoying a picnic outdoors,” she declared with a smile. “The gentlemen will be going on a hunt!”

An excited murmur rose up from the gathered guests at the prospect of heading outdoors for the day.

“However,” the Dowager Countess added with a sly smile, “there shall be an added challenge to our brave young men.”

A hush fell over the crowd.

“Of course, there must always be some twist.” Evie, who had moved to sit beside Phoebe and Alice, smiled at them both. “Grandmama doesn’t like making things easy for anyone.”

Alice managed a wry smile at the young lady’s remarks. How could she forget? After all, it was Lady Wellington’s machinations that resulted in her ending up with Colin in his study.

“Ladies, for today, you are to sit back and relax. Enjoy the view and the sumptuous fare before you,” Lady Wellington urged. “As for the gentlemen, the challenge is simply this—the best hunter will get to claim all the dances of a young lady of his choosing at the ball tonight!”

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