Page 30 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“Well, my dear Monkey, I am afraid that this is an impossible task. Oranges are neither in season nor are do they grow in London.”

Madeleine pouted her lips mockingly as she crossed her arms.

“Do you give up so easily now?”

The concern in Percy’s eyes was now completely gone, and in its place was a glittering look of mischief and challenge.

“You still have your sticky little fingers, don’t you?” he teased, his smile wide. “The ones that would steal my pocket watch, kerchiefs, and hats to get back at me for my tricks.”

In response, Madeleine held up the kerchief she had swiped earlier, grinning wide. Percy let out a loud, deep laugh, as if genuinely pleased that she could still pull off her little trick. He reached for his kerchief, and she stepped back, giving it a taunting wave.

“Why you little—” Percy began to say.

But, as his eyes shifted from Madeleine to something behind her, she watched him go back on alert. His stature grew rigid once more as she peered at whatever was behind her.

“Percy,” she said in a low tone, no longer taunting him. “What is it?”

She moved to turn to see what he was looking at, but her shoulders were caught by his hands, and she was dragged into his chest. She gasped at the warmth that quickly enveloped her.

“Truth be told, I would not mind another kiss,” he murmured softly, reaching out to caress a stray curl of her hair.

“I think not,” Madeleine retorted, swatting his hand away. “Once was more than enough for the both of us.”

“Once is never enough when it comes to kisses,” he informed her with a smile, his eyes holding things that Madeleine did not understand. “I could teach you,” he offered, raising an eyebrow in inquiry.

“I said no, Percy; now, tell me what is wrong with you before…” Before Madeleine could say anymore or think of what had just changed between them, Percy grabbed her hand and pulled her back behind a stand of evergreen shrubbery. “What are you doing?” Madeleine demanded to know but was cut short by Percy placing his hand over her mouth.

“The someone that I wish to avoid has come out onto the veranda,” he whispered into her ear, his hot breath warming her through to her innermost core.

Madeleine nodded in understanding. He had just helped her escape from an evening of dancing with Herbert Mowbray. The least that she could do was to stand silently while Percy waited for this unwanted person to pass. The longer that they stood there together, the more aware of his body she became. In orderto keep them hidden from sight, he had enfolded them both into the shrubbery. Her breasts were firmly pressed against his chest, her every breath causing sensations to course throughout her body as they rose and fell.

“You are too close,” she whispered in disapproval as much of her own body’s reaction to him as of his actual nearness. She attempted to put some space between them, but with the tree at her back, there was no place for her to go. Moving around only made the situation worse.

“My apologies. It cannot be helped. Most women would enjoy it.”

Madeleine glared up at him, and just as a mocking smile touched his lips, a shuffling near the shrubbery caused his expression to fall flat.

It was too dark for her to see his face clearly, but she could feel his muscles tightening with the tension of the moment. Percy’s hand slipped around her waist, protecting her from sight with his broad shoulders. Madeleine held her breath until the noises ceased.

Lowering his lips to her ear, Percy spoke once more. “Had I known that this was what it took to stop you from slinging insults at me, I would have pushed you into the shrubbery long before now.” He was smirking at her, and Madeleine’s breath was caught in her throat for a moment. “If you are still seeking an orange, perhaps we should stay here. We may not besuccessful, but I have no doubt that we would find something just as sweet.”

Madeleine gave him a reproving look, trying her hardest to keep her composure. She nudged his leg with her toe in disapproval. “Is the person you wished to avoid still there?”

Percy peered around the evergreen leaves at the veranda beyond. “They are gone, but there are now several people by the doorway to the ballroom that will see us emerge from the bushes. My reputation would withstand the scandal, but yours would not. Your father and brother would insist that I wed you with all haste. If I were to refuse, they would have no choice but to challenge me to a duel.”

“We cannot have that,” Madeleine replied disconcerted at the idea. “I do not wish for you to die, nor have I any desire to wed you.”

“Then you are the only unwed lady of the ton who feels that way,” Percy snorted. “Most women would do almost anything to become the Duchess of Greyhall.”

“It is simply because they do not know you,” she shot back. “They are title hunting and seeking the security that your wealth would bring to their lives.”

Percy shook his head. “There you go again with the insults. Is it your claim that no woman could want me for myself alone?”

“Not if they knew you.” Madeleine knew that she was being cruel, but she was using every tool at her disposal to keep her physical and emotional distance from him. He was temptation incarnate, and she could not allow herself to fall victim to his charms as so many other women clearly had. She knew he was only teasing her with his self-assured charm.

Percy fell completely silent. Madeleine feared that she might have pushed him too far. She could feel his breath upon her face in the dark. He was so close that all she would have needed to do was step slightly on tiptoe to kiss him.

“I am sorry,” she whispered, “I should not have said something so cruel. I…”

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