Page 17 of Her Seven Nights with the Duke

It was the first time she was alone with a man like this, and she was nervous. Was she safe with him? The rumors that surrounded him hadn’t been dispelled quite yet, and she wasn’t entirely sure that she thought him innocent.

Surely, there are certain truths to the rumors.this.

Nora choked in surprise when they arrived at the room. The table had been set with lots of wine and light foods for them to nibble on. She looked at Samuel, who was hanging up her cloak.

“You don’t expect us to finish all of this, do you?”

“The wine or the food?” he asked her without turning to look at the table.

She squinted as she stared at him. “Both.”

“We don’t have to. However, it is better to have too much than too little,

“We don’t you think?” he asked.

She shrugged. She supposed he was right. He pulled out her chair for her and then sat opposite her, staring straight at her.

Nora sat uncomfortably as he stared at her. Her hands grew clammy underneath his gaze, and her eyes looked everywhere but at him. She had never been so blatantly stared at before, not even by the members of the ton who gossiped about her after the rumors about her began to surface.

“I propose we play a game,” he said finally.

“A game?” she asked, confused. She had not realized they would be playing games when she joined him.

“Yes. For us to be comfortable with each other, we will need to get to know one another first,” he explained. “I care about your comfort, Lady Nora.”

Nora was surprised. She did not know what she had been expecting, but it was certainly not any of this. Considering they only had seven nights, she thought he would prefer to get straight to the point of things.

“All right. What is this game you wish to play?” she asked, giving in.

Samuel perked up, his eyes brightening as he regarded her. “It’s quite simple. It’s a game of questions. We take turns to ask each other questions, but every time we don’t want to answer, the person who asks is allowed to touch the other.”

Nora grimaced. She had been too quick to think that he was being a gentleman. She was grateful that he was trying to get to know her. However, she wasn’t surprised at his method. It was exactly what she expected of him.

“What sort of game is that? These rules are more for your benefit than mine,” she said, affronted and taken aback by the rules of the game.

“I will not insult you by denying that it is indeed for my benefit. I suppose you will simply have to answer the question if you do not want to be touched.” He smiled at her.

“What if I do not wish to play this game?” She swallowed, maintaining her composure, although she wished to run all the way back home until she was within the safety of her room.

“I suppose I cannot force you to play a game if you do not wish to,” he said, and her anxiety ebbed. Nora calmed.

“I certainly understand if you are scared, little rabbit. Not everyone has to play this game, after all.” He gave a mocking smile.

Nora bristled. She balled her hands into fists underneath the table.

Calm yourself, Nora. This is exactly the response he hopes to get from you. You cannot allow yourself to fall into his trap.

“I assure you, Your Grace, I am not scared,” she said, glaring at him.

As his smile turned victorious and his eyes glinted, Nora knew she had done exactly what she said she wouldn’t do. She had played into his hands and given him exactly what he wanted.

How wonderful.

“Lovely, Lady Nora. I was hoping that you wouldn’t be and we could have a civil game between two adults.”

“What is your question?” she snapped, already dreading the game before it even began.

“I suppose we should start simple. What is your favorite snack?”

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