Page 35 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“Then you do not know either of us,” Edwin stated.

Beatrice furrowed her brow and wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

“You spent some time yesterday telling me who I am, even though you do not know me, and it seems you do not know yourself either.” Edwin picked up the teacup and drank some Earl Gray.

“I still don’t know what you mean,” Beatrice complained.

“You said you did not expect any man to do that for you, but you are the type of woman who makes men wild. I could find a dozen men who would gladly do the same.”

Beatrice giggled. “Oh, please don’t. I don’t want any other men, thank you very much.”

Edwin smiled and laughed through his nose. “Then I shall not send out word.”

Beatrice placed her hand on his upper arm and held it there momentarily, before she removed it, feeling embarrassed. She quickly turned to her breakfast plate and put some bread and eggs on it.

Edwin watched her, fascinated by her every move. After the taste he had the previous night, he needed more. It would come in time, but he was an impatient man. It was not only the way she acted but who she was. She intrigued him, and he wanted to know her better, to figure out exactly who she was.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Beatrice asked.

“You are my wife. Should I avert my gaze whenever you are in the room?”

Beatrice pursed her lips and looked at him knowingly. “You must stop thinking such impure thoughts.”

“Because you have?” Edwin drawled.

“I am only thinking about the raspberry jam on your right—if you would not mind passing it to me.”

Edwin smirked and held up the jam, but he didn’t pass it to her. Beatrice had to lean across the table to retrieve it, and her face came dangerously close to his. He didn’t react, wondering if she would make a move this time. But she remained resolute and took the jam, even if her hand lingered when it touched his.

“Your Grace,” Mrs. Belcot said from the door. “Lord Pemberton has arrived.”

Beatrice immediately looked at Edwin, her worry obvious.

“I will take care of this. You have nothing to worry about,” Edwin murmured. He then turned to the housekeeper. “Will you show Robert in and invite him to breakfast?”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Mrs. Belcot replied.

“Why has he come?” Beatrice asked.

“Not to stir up any trouble,” the Duke assured. “He is my friend, and I assure you he finds the whole thing rather humorous.”

“Humorous?” Beatrice wailed. “It is not humorous at all. It is embarrassing. I hid in his room, meaning to seduce him, and now I have to face him every time he visits you.”

Edwin tried not to laugh, but he found the whole thing amusing. The arrangement had worked out well for him, and Robert didn’t care a jot, though he might have if he had been the one to discover Beatrice in his room. Only Beatrice cared about the whole thing, and she did not need to.

Still, she was embarrassed about it, and that was valid. So, he didn’t laugh and made sure he didn’t smile either.

“You will be fine. Robert has forgotten the entire thing already,” Edwin reassured.

Beatrice took a deep breath, and Edwin thought about taking her hand, but for some reason, it felt more intimate than what they had done the previous evening.

“Oh, gosh!” Robert gasped when he entered the room. “Were you waiting for me here?” He looked straight at Beatrice.

Her eyes widened, and she looked like a small child who had been caught stealing apples.

“Thank you, Mrs. Belcot,” Edwin said. “Robert, please join us.”

“I wasn’t,” Beatrice managed.

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