Page 11 of The Duke's Ultimatum

She looked down at his arms and back up into his eyes. “This is highly inappropriate,” she seethed. “Not to mention what you just did with the widow. You’re disgraceful!”

The Duke said nothing but raised an eyebrow.

Eleanor bristled at his silence. “Will you not answer for your actions? You represent my family now, and this is how you behave?” The warm, sensual heat she was just feeling turned into a raging fire of fury. “This rakish behavior is unacceptable.”

The Duke’s full lips widened into a slow grin.

“My behavior?” he quipped.

Eleanor’s brows furrowed. “Yes, your behavior. I didn’t see anyone else mauling the widow in this library, did you?”

The Duke chuckled. “One.” One hand slipped from her waist as it rose to lift one finger in front of her face. “I was not mauling anyone. And two…” He raised another finger. “If I was, she wasenjoying it.” His voice dropped, and Eleanor felt the bottom half of her body clench on its own accord.

Eleanor stiffened at her body’s reaction to his sinful words. “Regardless, your behavior is deplorable,” she spat.

The Duke tilted his head to assess her. Eleanor realized his one hand was still holding onto her waist, so she tried to step back. The Duke’s other hand fell back to her waist, and he tightened his hold.

“I think what is done in private is no one’s business but the people who are involved. Wouldn’t you agree?” he purred.

Eleanor could only stare. Curse those eyes and that seductive voice. When he spoke, she couldn’t help but get lost in his words.

“I, um…”

He took a step towards her, closing the distance her step back caused. “And, if we’re discussing my behavior, we should mention yours.”

“Mine?” She shook her head to fight the trance his voice was putting her under. “What of my behavior?”

The Duke nodded. “What were you doing on the veranda, Eleanor?” His words were like silk against her skin.

“I was, um, looking for you.” Eleanor’s head began to spin. She tried desperately to hold on to the outrage she previously felt, but she was quickly losing steam.

The Duke’s eyes darkened. “Well, you found me. Now, why were you looking for me? Shouldn’t you be in the ballroom dancing the night away with your many admirers?” He leaned down, lightly rubbing his lips against her neck, causing a jolt of electricity to run down her spine.

He breathed her in. “How are you still available?”

Eleanor squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t concentrate with his devilish touch upon her skin. “I, uh…”Think Eleanor!“I haven’t found anyone yet.”

The Duke let out a low growl that had her opening her eyes.

She needed to regroup and bring the conversation back to something she could control. “Mama asked me to find you. It’s about time to introduce you.”

“Ah. I see. So when you found me, instead of turning around to tell your dear mother that I was otherwise indisposed, you decided to stay and watch. Tell me, Eleanor…” He tilted his head, and his mischievous eyes roamed over her face. “… is it polite to watch the private encounter between two consenting and willing adults? I had no idea I had a voyeur in my charge.”

Once again, Eleanor stepped backward. “How dare you!” Her voice carried across the library.

“Ah ah,” He brought a finger to her lips. “We don’t want anyone interrupting us in this private moment. Unless…” He glanced over his shoulder to the door. “Unless you want to get caught?”

Eleanor’s mouth snapped shut. The thought of getting caught standing this close to the Duke without a chaperone was too much to bear. She tried looking over his shoulder to the door that led to the ballroom, but the man was so blasted tall, she couldn’t see past him.

Her eyes dropped to the scant space between them. He was right; regardless of his actions, hers were just as bad.

She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m sorry for my part in this whole debacle.” The words came rushing out. What she wouldn’t give to be stuck conversing with Lady Marsh right about now.

She was becoming flustered again. She needed to get away from him before her primal instincts took control once more.

“I’ll forgive you and pretend it never happened if…” His voice trailed off.

“If?”

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