Page 41 of Keeper of Secrets

Chloe fell in step behind them.“I highly doubt that,” she said.“I don’t know why you insist on being such a beast.”

He looked back at her, devouring her with his gaze.“That is one of my best qualities.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Whites was crowded,and smelly, and the refreshments were lukewarm and tasted about as good.Chloe had to confess, this was not the experience she’d hoped it would be.

And then there was the fact that a large and very intimidating duke was doing his absolute best to frighten away any prospective suitors.

How was she supposed to make him mad with jealousy if he wouldn’t give her the chance?

He glared at every man who even glanced her way.In terms of the little game they’d constructed, he’d made a very strong strategic move using his position and his physically dominating presence to limit her options.Well played.

She huffed a breath.“Console yourself in one regard,” Caroline whispered, clearly understanding Chloe’s frustration.“He’s been completely distracted from his original goal, and he’s absolutely focused on you.”

“How can I make him mad with want if another man can’t even come within feet of me?”

“Oh, he’s plenty jealous,” Caroline returned in a whisper.

“What are you ladies discussing?”he asked, his voice dropping dangerously low as he leaned in as well.

She turned to him with a glare.“I had no idea you were this nosy.Gads.”

He quirked a single brow a moment before he moved so close, his lips grazed the lobe of her ear.“I’m going to trail the tip of my nose over every inch of your body until I reach your?—”

“Ryker,” she hissed, heat flushing up her chest and into her cheeks.He was most definitely winning.

She looked back at Caroline, her eyes wide, knowing that she needed help.How did one win the heart of an unrepentant rake?

Caroline’s lips had pressed into a tight line, her gaze flitting back and forth between the two of them.“I’m in need of a repose.Will you join me?”

She slumped her shoulders in relief but a hand at her waist stopped her as Ryker pulled her torso scandalously close to his, sending a shiver through her.“Don’t be long.”

Ignoring him, she linked her arm with Caroline’s and the two women moved about the edge of the ballroom.

“What’s going on?”Caroline hissed.

“I might have made a mess of things,” Chloe whispered back.“I only wanted to make him jealous but?—”

“He’s following us.”Caroline said glancing over her shoulder and then pulling Chloe faster.“He’s like a man obsessed.”

Chloe paused, cocking her head the to side.“Do you think that’s a good thing?”

“How would I know?”Caroline asked.“I want a simple man, remember?Not some complicated duke with all sorts of entitlement and power.”Caroline attempted to move faster again, but Chloe held her back.

“Don’t bother.We’ll never move faster in these skirts than he can and besides… the faster I go, the more likely he is to chase.This is as close to a private conversation as we’re going to get.”

Caroline’s brows lifted.“My dear, you are learning quickly.”

Chloe shrugged.“He’s determined to marry me and the more I resist, the more insistent he grows.”

“Then you’ve won.”

Chloe shook her head.“While the marriage is permanent, his interest is likely temporary.What I want to figure out is how to win his affection.Not just now but well into the future.”

Caroline wrinkled her nose.“I don’t know, Chloe.My experience is rather limited.And what you’re attempting, it’s…”

Caroline didn’t need to finish.She knew.It was difficult.Worthwhile endeavors often were.“You go ahead.”She let go of Caroline’s arm.“Ryker and I need to talk.”

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