Page 38 of Duke of Pride

She let out a breathy laugh that made his hand pause midair, and she sipped on her wine. A single red drop lingered on her lip, and her tongue darted out to catch it. His gaze dropped briefly to her mouth, the way her tongue flicked lightly across the corner. He had to look away.

“This… thisis not terrible.”

“I am sure, if we give it time, we will have found reasons to kill each other by teatime.”

“I was talking about the food,” she lied.

“No, you were not.”

Stephen leaned over the table and pinned her with a look. Now it was Victoria’s turn to leave the roast hanging from her fork as she struggled to string two coherent thoughts together.

They were close, too close. He heard her breath hitch, her knuckles white from gripping the fork hard, not to use it as a defense but to hold onto something solid and tangible as reality slipped away from her.

They were alone. The room was private, and no one would have any reason to enter unless called upon. And at that moment, Stephen had no intention to bring anyone in. Instead, he intended to keep the world out. His duties and his doubts, his grief and his uncertainty. He wanted to keep only her in here. Her light and her warmth.

The world outside the thick walls of The White Horse Cellar had faded into irrelevance. All that remained was the air between them, charged, thin, heavy. It would be so easy to reach over and pull her in like he did on the street. Feel her land on his chest, on his body. So easy to kiss her, to ruin everything, to make everything right.

But he didn’t, barely holding back. He looked away and focused on his plate, but his mouth spoke before he could rein in the words.

“You are right, My Lady. This is not terrible.”

CHAPTER11

Bold Claims

The rest of the lunch was quick and procedural, both eager to leave the pub as fast as possible. Only to realize that they now had to share the carriage on the way back to the house.

Victoria curled her fingers into her skirt, hoping that this gesture would add merit to the prayers she sent for the ride to be quick, safe, and uneventful. And somehow her prayers were answered. At first, both remained silent and watched the scenery change from the bustling streets of London to the green countryside.

Perhaps it was the splendid view of rolling green hills, perhaps it was the exceptionally sunny day, or perhaps it was the fact that they had left London behind that made things brighter. And with it, the way he pulled her in his arms when she got almost run over by the carriage and the way looked at her in that private room.

“I never did thank you for lunch, Your Grace,” Victoria said demurely. “It was lovely and, to be honest, prudent. I do not think I would have survived the ride back without something substantial to sustain me. So, thank you.”

“No need. I do not think I have properly thanked you for everything you’ve done in the house either.”

“I am doing my duty as your mother’s companion and, above all, her friend.”

“Still, it would be impolite and ill-mannered to deny you the recognition of your invaluable help.”

“Always dutiful, Your Grace. Your mother is already doing enough thanking for both of you.”

“I am not in the habit of letting others shoulder my responsibilities.”

“I have noticed.” She chuckled. “So, lunch was your way of expressing your gratitude?”

“It seemed appropriate. You’ve gone above what was expected and beyond what was asked.”

Victoria blinked, barely believing what she was hearing. She struggled to detect dishonesty, but there was none. Stephen was a lot of things, but he was not a liar. If he didn’t want to talk about something, he simply wouldn’t answer.

“If that is the case, I regret not dragging you to Fortnum’s for dessert. It seems I undervalued my services.”

“My Lady, everyone knows that if you want a good slice of apple pie, you need to go to Piazza Café.”

“Your Grace! How would you even mention such a vulgar, raucous establishment!”

“The question is, how does a lady like you know about that place?”

“As you so painfully remind me almost daily, I am not of noble birth,” she said lightly, with not an inkling of offense. “I have visited the place with my brother.”

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