Page 14 of The Duke's Vice

Graham chuckled. “You wound me, madam.” He said in mock jest.

Beatrice dropped her arms, suddenly feeling as if she was walking into a trap. “Don’t mock me.”

Graham held his hands up in defense. “I am not. You just have to remember, I was there last night.” He took a step closer and Beatrice’s eyes danced between the door to the ballroom and the gaggle of girls in the corner. They were by no means alone however, since they weren’t alone, any behavior that could be described as untoward would be described as untoward. She did not want to be tied to this infuriating man.

“Your point being?” She refolded her arms in defense. This man disrupted her senses, she never knew if she should attack or protect. With the current look in his eyes, she definitely felt the need to protect herself.

“I was as much a part of our kiss as you were. I felt your body heat under my touch.” His words were like soft velvet along her skin, causing her skin to to gooseflesh even in the warm summer afternoon air. “I felt your tongue tangle with mine in the most delicious way imaginable. You can’t kiss like that if you didn’t feel something.”

Beatrice’s blood ignited within her, sending fingers of fire licking up and down her body. She shifted on her feet, trying to calm the raging inferno that was taking over her mind, body, and soul.

Think, Beatrice! This is a game to him. Play that game. Come on! What would the heroine say in one of Sarah’s books?

Beatrice’s eyes lighted. “Well, if one can’t kiss that way without feeling a certain way, then we know that I affected you as well.”

She licked her lips as her body started to hum in triumph. He was not the only one who could throw someone off their game and cause a misstep. She was proving herself to be a worthy opponent of any man. If only her mother could see her.

The thought horrified her as her eyes darted to the door.

No. Mama should be nowhere near this conversation, both for her sake and mine!

Graham shook his slowly, seemingly in defeat.

Ha!

Beatrice’s back straightened as she relished in besting him in their little tête-à-tête.

“I could see how someone as naive as you would think that.” He started with a shrug.

Beatrice’s heart dropped as unease washed over her. He should be sulking, men hated when they were bested, especially by a woman. Isn’t that’s how it was supposed to be? Beatrice’s face went numb. Unless his body didn’t react to her as hers did his.

“You see, unlike you, I have done my fair share of kissing.” He said with a cocky grin. “I know what women like and I know what I like. If I’m going to kiss someone, I’m going to do it for both parties enjoyment. However,” he tucked his hands in his pockets as if they were discussing the weather and not scandalous behavior. “I am experienced enough to be able to make the act enjoyable without the feelings that usually accompany the act to perform it pleasantly.”

Beatrice was lost. She shook her head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Graham laughed as he walked back to where he set his drink down. “Just because I kiss like I enjoy it does not mean I did. I’m just that good.” He lifted his shoulders in a smug shrug.

Beatrice’s eyes flashed before her skin heated with embarrassment. It was true that night was her first kiss, but as far as kissing went, she felt she did her part adequately. “You can try to hide behind experience, but you’re not that good.” Her pointed words did nothing to sully his good humor.

“That’s your naïveté talking.” He gestured to her with his glass.

Her hands balled into tight fists, so tight she could feel her nails digging into her palms. The audacity of this man! She refused to pout in front of him and give him more validation to his opinion of her but he was right. She was out of her league when it came to these matters.

It bothered her that he bothered her, that she felt embarrassment over her lack of experience. She knew she was ignorant to the more mature matters of womanhood, but that was why she had her list.

A list that this stranger currently had access to.

“Let us return to what brought me out here in the first place. You have something of mine and I want it back, with the promise that you will not mention it to anyone out of respect for my reputation.”

Beatrice hoped for her sake that the man had some sense of decency and would not spread word of her list of goals. Beads of sweat started to gather amongst her hairline at the thought of people reading what she wrote.

What would they think of me? What would Mama say?

Once again her eyes drifted to the door. Her mother would go into hysterics if she knew not only did her daughter have a list of scandalous behavior, but she was talking to a Duke about it.

If this morning’s conversation didn’t irrevocably change her view of her daughter, this conversation would.

Graham took a sip from his glass, his eyes scrutinizing her over its rim.

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