Page 516 of From Rakes to Riches

Thiswas what he’d been sensing and refusing to see.

Gem was no lad.

Rake’s body had certainly known it, even if his mind hadn’t.

A blade of anger cut through him. This was nothing short of outright deception.

He’d been made a fool of. If anyone had found out, he would’ve been made the laughingstock of London.

Again.

“So, tell me,Gem,” he began. “Have you yet begun shaving?”

Gem opened her mouth to reply, but when Rake stepped forward, the lass’s words froze in her mouth. The room felt suddenly sapped of air, neither of them able to draw breath.

Gem gave a terse shake of the head.

“Not the easiest task, I’ve found since my valet took ill.”

Rake advanced another step.

Gem swallowed.

“So, I’m doing for myself.”

He’d closed half the distance between them, so near he could reach out and touch this lass, if he chose.

Gem cleared her throat and swallowed. “I didn’t know dukes could do for themselves.”

A humorless laugh escaped Rake. Ah, there was Gem’s fire returned. A smart mouth on this lass.

Again, he marveled at his capacity for self-deception. No lad—or lord, for that matter—would ever dare speak to him that way.

Only a woman.

Thiswoman.

He followed where instinct led and stroked her downy soft cheek with the back of his hand. Awareness stole into the moment as their gazes held.

Another realization struck Rake. Not only was Gem ashe, but she was a beauty.

Tawny freckles scattered across her straight nose and fine cheekbones. Bow lips that formed into a pretty mouth perched above a pert chin that spoke of determination and no nonsense taken.

But it was those gold-flecked, green eyes fringed by golden lashes that had first drawn him in and now held him rapt. Replacing the edge of anger was an altogether different feeling…

Attraction.

Attraction that had been shadowing the margins of their interactions but now freely felt.

And a point beyond attraction…

Desire.

Desire that wanted to move closer…to reach for the nape of her neck and draw her forward…to feel the press of his mouth against hers as her head tipped back to maintain the contact of their gazes…

Her eyes…

What did he see in there?

---