Page 47 of The Insufferable Duke
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Moving you.” He gently took her fingers and pulled her away. It was a soft touch indeed, much softer than when they had danced together at the assembly or when he had helped her up the hill. To her own surprise, her body didn’t defy him; she just let the Duke pull her away so that she stood at his side as he returned to his shot. “There, at least you are a little less distracting now.” He released her hand, smiling as he hit the mallet, and she felt cold without his touch. “Nice try though,” he said appreciatively, looking up at her again.
“You perplex me exceedingly.” The words fell from her lips without warning. His smile faltered, and he stood tall, turning to face her completely.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You argue with me easily then you do all this,” she gestured at the lawn and their game, “and you laugh as if we have always been friends.” Her voice grew quiet. “I’m beginning to think I don’t understand you at all.”
“Maybe I just enjoy competing with you, Lady Helena, whether that’s in an argument or a game.” He nodded at the balls. “There’s something altogether…differentabout it.”
“What’s that?”
He didn’t answer her. He turned away, calling to Lord Sheylough.
“Cousin? It is your turn.”
Lord Sheylough hurried forward and struck the mallet. The game continued on, but Helena was completely distracted now, unable to concentrate on her turns. When the game ended, the Duke of Bridstone and Nancy won though the Duke had carried the game.
“It looks like I win our game for today then,” the Duke whispered to Helena as they walked side by side, back toward the garden party.
“For today, but do not get used to the feeling, Your Grace. I intend to win our next competition, whatever that may turn out to be.”
“Challenging talk. I like it.” He smiled broadly at her, and she couldn’t help returning that look.
They walked toward the tables with Lord Sheylough and Nancy walking in front. At one point, Helena could have sworn the Duke brushed their arms together, but it could have been in her imagination.
The Duke and Lord Sheylough took their leave, bowing with the Duke’s eyes lingering on Helena. Once he was gone, she hurried to tell Nancy what he had said.
“What does that mean, he enjoys competing with me?” Helena asked restlessly. “I do not understand it!
“I don’t know, Helena. I truly don’t know, but tell me this.” Nancy eyed her carefully. “Are you truly going to stick to this lie that the only feeling you have toward the Duke of Bridstone is dislike because of your warring families?”
Helena did not know how to answer.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
“Why not?”
“Why not!? Because it is a ridiculous idea, that’s why not,” Helena said sharply to her sister, flinging herself back on the chaise longue in their front room. “You and Lord Robert have flirted with danger and scandal enough as it is. You expect me now to encourage another illicit meeting?”
“It is not illicit. We are betrothed after all.” Julia hurried to sit on a stool beside Helena. “It is one masquerade ball. If I am disguised enough, only the family will know who I am, and you can distract our mother and our aunt, so they will not realize I am spending my evening with Robert after all.”
“What is it with you and your betrothed?” Helena shook her head. “You two will be wed within a matter of weeks; that’s rushed as it is. Yet listen to you talk. It’s as if every moment is precious.”
“It is,” Julia insisted, her lips parted as if shocked at Helena’s words. “I always look forward to seeing him. Can you not understand that feeling Helena? Of missing him and longing to know when you’ll see him again?”
Helena pictured the Duke of Bridstone brushing his arm against her own then she pushed the image away sharply.
“I still think this is a poor idea,” she whispered in a rush. “Now you wish me to persuade our parents to allow you to go to a masquerade ball?”
“Please?” Julia asked hopefully, placing her hands in a prayer position.
“Dear God, why do I give into you all the time?” Helena tipped her head back, closing her eyes and blocking out the picture of her sister’s sweet face and those pleading eyes. “You’d think I would learn to say no to you at least once by now in our lives.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?” Julia asked excitedly.
“I didn’t say that. Yet.” Helena opened her eyes and looked at her sister again. Julia plainly didn’t know what to feel. Her hands were clasped together, and she shifted in her seat.
