Page 13 of The Duke's Spinster

“Fine. I shall see you tomorrow.” And he almost bent down to press a kiss to her temple. It was right there. Would that kiss have been perfunctory or a means to throw her off whatever game she was playing, he didn’t know. Thus he refrained.

As he pressed past her, he couldn’t help but notice the lingering scent of roses like a cloud following him out the door.

Chapter Six

Why, oh why,had she been staring at his buttocks?? If she had just been paying attention, she wouldn’t have run right into him. Him and his strong, muscular back. She looked and felt a complete and utter bacon-brained ninny.

She thought she was going to lose it when she asked about the chocolates. And when she added the part about the gift, she couldn’t even conceive of how she had abstained from laughter. It was all too much. And that’s rather why she thought she was able to hold it all together. Itwasall too much. Him. His dukeness. His visits.

Tomorrow when he came, she would just outright decline his attention. That should do it.

But then tomorrow came. And so did he. With flowers. With chocolates. And with a small wrapped gift.

What ground did she have to stand on and refuse his attention? Pretty shaky, even she had to admit.

“Good morning, Lady Boudicca.” He presented the flowers and a second bouquet of pale pink peonies. He had obviously appreciated her reaction yesterday.

She plucked a delectable looking chocolate from the small box sitting atop the gift. Heavenly. A moan nearly escaped her lips.

“That good, are they?”

Drat! Well, what could she expect? She wasn’t chipped out of stone like he was.

She shrugged an indifferent shoulder. “Try one for yourself.” But really hoping he wouldn’t.

“I shall. Good to know you aren’t one of those selfish recipients of gifts.” He plopped one in his mouth.

“Yes, well. I pride myself on my virtues.”

“Seems a contradiction, doesn’t it?”

“Is it better to hold myself in contempt for my virtues?”

“Touché.” The dratted man plopped another one of her chocolates in his mouth. “Shall we go for a carriage ride?”

“I thought you wanted a visit with tea?”

“I thought I did as well. And then I thought perhaps it’s best we’re in neutral territory where I can’t be kicked out.”

She hummed her deliberation. “While your carriage is most definitely not neutral territory, I can accept your offer if only to take some time outdoors.”

“That’s reason enough for me. Shall we?” He propped his arm up for her, and she took it. After having gone only a few steps, his feet melded into the Aubusson rug. “I nearly forgot your gift.” Turning, still with her hand on his arm, he reached for the gift and tugged on the wrapping.

“Isn’t it customary for the recipient to open their own gifts?”

“Isn’t it customary…now that is quite the phrase. Shall we delve into that one?” The shape of his autocratic eyebrow curtailed her initial response.

“Just open it. You’ve already started.” Her hand was still on his arm, and she could feel her breast rubbing against his forearm as he untied the last string.

There in dusty blue, laced in gold text, read,Boudicca, A Warrior Queen Biography.

“Charming,” she murmured as she accepted the tome.

“I took the liberty of placing a few bookmarks next to my favorite quotes.”

“You read this already?”

“Select parts.”

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