Page 34 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

“Everything all right, Miss Bennett?” David asked.

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip before answering. “Just wondering how you enjoyed the performance.”

He shrugged, knowing it frustrated her. Her little sigh at his gesture lit the fire that was starting to grow in his gut. He balled his hands into fists by his sides to stop himself from reaching out to her.

She was still watching him.Oh, right.

“It was… entertaining.”

She raised a reddish brown eyebrow. “Entertaining? That’s your response? It showcased love and loss, trials and tribulations, death… All of that is just entertaining to you?”

David’s face split into a devilish grin. “I would think the definition of entertaining is sufficient enough to describe all of those things.”

Jenny’s teeth began to grind. He desperately wanted to reach out and rub the tension from her jaw.

“You’re purposefully being obtuse again!” She stomped her foot.

David bit back a smile. She was absolutely delectable when she was flustered.

“Am I?” He winked.

A little snort came from behind them. They both stopped and turned back to Frannie, who was walking behind them.

“Oh, don’t let me interrupt,” she said with a knowing grin.

Jenny huffed out a sigh. “All I’m saying is that it was a very emotional performance, one that is known all around the world to bring even grown men to tears.”

“Why are you so preoccupied with my reaction to an opera, Miss Bennett?”

Jenny looked up to the heavens and sighed. She looked deflated.

David whooped with laughter. “Why would you be upset that I wasn’t overcome with emotion while watching an opera?”

Jenny looked between him and Frannie.

Frannie’s hands flew up. “Don’t look at me. I’m just trying to get into the carriage.” She hurried past the couple, and, with David’s help, she climbed into the carriage. She poked her head out ofthe window. “I’ll just be in here when you are through with your conversation.”

With that, her face disappeared into the carriage, but not before she gave a cheeky wink to her sister-in-law.

David took a step towards Jenny. “Well? Why are you upset with me?”

Jenny swallowed and pursed her lips. “Because nothing seems to affect you, and it’s frustrating. I’m pretty sure a dog could get shot in front of you and you wouldn’t stop to acknowledge it.”

David folded his hands in front of him. This beautiful creature had no idea how much he felt, especially when she was around. Which was the exact reason why he could never show it. Feeling too much could lead to mistakes, and he couldn’t afford any more mistakes.

But seeing her now, with the moonlight glancing off her auburn hair, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out to touch a silky curl. “Miss Bennett, I was very much affected tonight, but it was not the opera that toyed with my emotions.”

Jenny’s eyes searched his. His fingers let go of the curl and slowly trailed over her jaw, down her cheek, stopping just before they touched her décolletage. Her breathing was erratic, and David was mesmerized by the rise and fall of her chest.

He leaned in, whispering in her ear, “Come to my residence tomorrow night. I’ll show you all the ways you can affect a man.”

Jenny’s eyes widened. He saw the goosebumps rise on her arms. She glanced at the carriage, but thankfully, Frannie had closed the curtain.

David was certain his voice was low enough; he doubted Frannie had heard his comment. He waited for Jenny’s eyes to return to his.

“Will you come?” Blasted, he sounded needy.

Jenny nodded. “I will.”

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