Page 16 of Duke in Shining Armor
“What the blazes is that?” she snapped. “This astonishes me. Some of these apprentices are unpaid and others underpaid. They are still subjected to harsh discipline such as flogging. How is this just? This dastardly practice should cease forthwith.”
Catherine uttered her words hastily and with such passion that her chest was rising and falling to an increased tempo.
“Why do you find this particular article more interesting than all the others inThe Spectator? You seem quite passionate about the topic.”
She frowned and looked away for a moment. When Catherine returned her gaze to him, James watched her with patient care.
“I recalled some years ago my father and brother speaking about it. We ladies are so sheltered. I recalled my shock and horror that there are people in the world that existed in such a life. I have to envision one day it would all change, and I have been following all progress since. My father berates me for it, but I cannot stop my need to have knowledge beyond what I am allowed. Papa says no gentleman would wish to marry a lady like myself,” she ended with a self-conscious laugh.
Another glance from James pierced her, this one deeply assessing. “Then they would be fools,” the duke finally murmured.
Catherine’s heartbeat quickened. She did not want to appear overwrought, so she decided to change the direction of the conversation.
“I have told you of my most outrageous moment, James, but you have not shared yours. Pray tell.” Catherine raised her brow quizzically.
James smiled, his eyes dancing with merriment. “I knew you would ask this of me.”
Catherine waited with bated breath for James to share.
“I have been the second in a duel,” he said in a nonchalant tone.
“You have not!” Catherine gasped, raising her hand to cover her mouth before dropping it to her side.
“I am afraid I was. Duels are illegal and they are incredibly rare. Nonetheless, challenges are issued on occasion, and you would be hard pressed to find a gentleman that would walk away from one. One of my dear friends issued a challenge and named me as a second before I caught wind of the disagreement.” James looked off to the trees as he recounted the tale.
“What happened?” She creased her brow while she raised her hand to rub the nape of her neck.
“Well, at the outset, I tried to dissuade him. Despite putting on a courageous front, most gentlemen do not relish having to fight a duel and risk both killing and being killed. Dissuading him was no small task for he was obstinate. I arranged a meeting between my friend and the other gentleman who refused to apologize. He was a stupid, stubborn sod and it almost cost him his life.”
Catherine sighed with relief as she was pleased to hear no life had been lost.
“I doubled down on my efforts when my friend discussed cleaning his pistol. I went to convince the gentleman to offer an apology, but it was only when we met at dawn that he acted upon it, to my great relief. I did not want it on my conscience.”
“You are a kind and compassionate man, James. It would have been most unfortunate if either of these gentlemen had lost their lives.”
“Indeed.”
Catherine’s brows furrowed. “You could also have been hurt. I understand that seconds often ended up fighting each other alongside the main duelists.”
“Is that concern I hear in your voice? Concerned for me, Catherine?”
Catherine shrugged her shoulders. “Do not let it swell your head. I merely—”
His soft chuckle caused her to gaze upon him. Catherine saw that James studied her face and it was like a soft caress.
“Why do you stare at me so … so intensely?” The last words were breathy, for her heart was rapidly increasing its pace.
“Not many ladies would ask me this so unflinchingly.”
Her thoughts whirled and her belly dipped most alarmingly.
Although he had not touched her, his hand reached for her face. “Why do you hold my gaze and moisten your lips while blushing? I think you know why I stare at you, but you do not shy away.”
Upon contact, his fingertips slowly traced the line of her jaw down to her quivering lips.
“Instead, your demeanor is bold and tempting. I like it…I like you.”
His eyes did not leave hers, and it was as if he undressed her with his stare. She felt naked and exposed. James lowered his head and his lips replaced his hand. He kissed her upper lip before taking her bottom lip into his mouth to engulf it.
