Page 7 of Look at Her Duke
“I dinnae love being seen as the Duke of Bestingbum,” Kip quickly corrected. “I was never supposed to become aduke.” Blue eyes flicked toward Amelia, then away again. “I wish there was a manual.”
He sounded strangely…vulnerable. And Amelia felt for him.
“I am certain you will do wonderful things, Your Grace.” When he turned his full attention to her, a touch of hurt in the cant of his brows, she winced. “Apologies.Kipling.”
The tension around his eyes eased slowly as he studied her. Just as it had earlier that day, his gaze made her… Not uncomfortable, but…breathless?
Yes. Breathless. That was a good way to describe this feeling. The way her heart pounded in her chest, matching the throbbing between her thighs.
“Lady Amelia,” he said finally. “Would ye be willing to help me hide from the masses?”
Her answer was immediate. Certain. “Of course. What do you need?”
The Grin flashed. “That promised dance?” he asked as he held out his hand.
She didn’t even stop to think before she put her hand in his.
Only then did something like worry flash across Kip’s visage, and he flicked a glance toward Alistair. “That is, assuming ye dinnae mind?”
Amelia turned her attention to her brother as well, and realized she was holding her breath. Alistair studied the twoof them—his gaze lingering where her gloved hand rested in Kipling’s—before his lips twitched and he shook his head.
When she exhaled, she heard Kipling echo it.
Which was strange in itself. Why wouldhealso be nervous around Alistair?
And it wasn’t quite nerves flickering in her chest…Amelia was just worried about what her brother would think if he ever realized her feelings for one of his oldest friends.
She’d grown up with Kipling coming to the estate and later to their townhouse to visit Alistair, since he rarely left home, even back then. Amelia was so much younger than her brother, she hadn’t paid attention to his company when the young men had returned from university. But as she’d grown…
She’d gone from a gangly, awkward girl to an even more gangly, even more awkward young lady. And all the while, she was watching Kipling Mancheste laugh and charm. But it wasn’t until he’d seemed genuinely interested inherinterests that she lost her heart.
And even after two years away, he still seemed…interested.
He’d asked her todance. Not just out of politeness, but out of a genuine desire to do so? Even now, he was sweeping her onto the dance floor, positioning her among the other couples.
He was taking her hand in his.
He was placing his gloved hand on her back.
He was enfolding her in his hold.
He was overwhelming her, with his scent and his charm and his perfection.
I swear, if you faint right now and cause us to miss this, I will never forgive you.
Right. She couldn’t faint, not if she wanted to remember this dance for the rest of her life. Because she was certain she would.
“Thank ye,” murmured Kipling, as the music began and they launched into movement.
It was likely a waltz, but it could’ve been a jig, or a hula for all the attention Amelia was paying. Years of dancing lessons at Mother’s insistence, and it all flew right out the window the moment Kipling Mancheste held her?
“I-My pleasure.”Make polite conversation, any conversation, you ninny. “It is certainly warm in here, is it not?”
“Oh?” Kip had been studying her the whole time, seeming able to dance without looking at his own feetorthose around him; clearly a miracle worker. “Should I take ye over to the window for some air?”
And give him an excuse to cease the incredible experience of beingin his arms? Amelia would sooner eat red meat. “No! I mean, no, thank you, I am perfectly content.”
He watched her a moment longer, as if not certain he believed her. Then, “Ye’ve left Becky at home?”
