Page 39 of The Duke's Goddess

“You’re petting your blade…weirdly,” Nobi answered.

Joan looked down at her fingers, startled to see her irregular actions. Her fingers were grazing the engraved portion which made her blades a unique set. Each blade had a different quote from Joan of Arc. It was not only fitting, but inspiring.

“There’s nonormalway to pet a blade, Nobi.” Mimi’s voice commanded attention. “What happened last night between you and James, Joan?”

“What? Why would you think anything happened last night?” Obviously Joan was feigning ignorance. As much as she loved her sisters, she just wasn’t ready to share anything yet.

Mimi flicked her finger down, pointing at the blade. “You’re petting that blade. Weirdly—as Nobi said. And as much as I know you like to throw daggers, I don’t think I’ve ever quite seen this level of angst in you before. So spill it. What happened?”

“Nothing happen—”

“Joan.” Mimi’s hands were on her hips and Nobi had her shoulders pulled back, as if she were bracing herself for the news.

“You can tell us, we won’t judge you. We’re your sisters.”

“That’s exactly why you might judge me, Nobi.” Joan sighed. It was futile to feign ignorance.

“I kissed him.” But she wasn’t a fool. She wasn’t about to share everything.

Mimi grasped her hands, deftly avoiding the pointy blade. “Oooooh. Tell us everything.”

That will not be happening.

“We kissed. That’s all there is to say—”

Mimi interrupted, “There’s more. There must be more. This is James we’re talking about—”

“That’s all there is to say.” Joan put her foot down. Literally. A small puff of dust wafted above her slippered foot to prove it. She hoped it was having the dramatic effect she desired.

“Mimi, that’s all she wants to say. Let’s respect her privacy.”

An exaggerated huff came out of Mimi’s nostrils. “Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s the plan now?”

“The plan?” Joan echoed. “There is no plan. We kissed. It was nice. That’s all.”

“It was nice?” Mimi narrowed her eyes at Joan. Then, quite contrary to her usual over the top pronouncements, she said in a hushed tone, “Lies.”

“Lies? I beg your pardon?”

And then more true to Mimi’s style, she shouted, “Lies!”

Joan glanced around, even though she was quite sure they were alone. Seeing no one, yet all the same she shushed her sister. “Mimi, please. Keep your voice down.”

“Only if you tell the truth.”

Well, the truth was not going to be revealed. Joan did not exactly want to share all of her truths. That it wasn’t just a nice kiss. It was a perfect kiss. A slice of heaven. With the gravity of the place too. Her feet felt as though they had been floating on air. And then when James had lifted her to straddle his hips. She was undone.

“Why are you fanning yourself? It’s not that hot out,” Mimi broke into her thoughts.

“It grew rather warm in the last few minutes. Wouldn’t you agree, Nobi?”

Nobi looked at each of her sisters. Mimi throwing daggers with her eyes, and Joan pleading silently. With no winning option, Nobi shrugged.

“Just hownicewas the kiss?” Mimi teased.

“It was very nice.” Life-changing. Enough to ruin her for all other men. But that didn’t matter. James was not to be hers. He didn’t want to be a husband. And she most certainly did not want to snag a husband who would spend his life resenting the role.

“Would you like to do it again?”

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