Page 57 of The Duke's Goddess

“What kind of secret?”

“It’s about the duke dare.”

“What’s the duke dare?”

Joan covered her face. “I’m so embarrassed. I don’t know if I can tell you.”

“Just tell me. It can’t be that bad.”

“It is…” the words sounded muffled through her fingertips.

Gently, James pried her fingers away from her face. “Tell me, Joan.”

“Promise you won’t hate me after I tell you. Even if you withdraw your proposal, just promise me we can still be friends.”

“Friends? Given how I feel about you, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that—”

“Just promise me, please, James.”

He nodded. She wanted to press him for a verbalized promise, but considering the grim look on his face, the nod would have to suffice.

It was easier to say it quickly, so Joan let the words tumble out, “My sisters and I dared each other to pursue a duke this season.”

And then she waited.

“And?”

“And?” she mocked. “And I’m a terrible person for attempting to snare you into marriage based solely on the fact that you’re a duke. I mean, not that my sisters are terrible people. They’re wonderful. But they have noble intentions. Although I suppose I’ve heard it said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions…never mind that. This is about me. I’m a terrible person.”

James threw his head back and laughed.

“It’s not funny, James.”

He was doubled over now, holding his side.

Finally, he managed to say, “Joan, your innocence is delightful.”

“I can be wicked.” She wasn’t sure why she was advocating for that, but there it was, out in the universe. It was worth it because the gleam in his eye told her he was happy to hear it.

“Yes. I know.” He winked.

“Joan, darling,” her name plus the addition of the affectionate moniker sent a warm breath through her body. “Did you try to snare me?”

“Well, I guess not really.”

“That’s good to hear,” he said with a heady smile.

“I’ll have you know that if I was intending to snare you, I would have done an excellent job of it.”

“You know…come to think of it…without even trying, you did trap me more than once…the boat, the garden, the terrace. You’re a right venerable vixen.” James tapped his finger on his chin playfully. “And you did ensnare my heart…”

“I did?”

“Yes. That’s what I’ve been saying, Joan. I love you.”

“I thought perhaps you were just saying that to get me to marry you.”

James laughed. “First of all, yes, I am trying to get you to marry me. But that’s because I love you. Second of all, I would never just say those words. I’ve never even spoken those words aloud to anyone.”

---