Page 79 of Rakes & Reticules
Amelia took a sip of her lemonade and nodded. “Surely you have heard of the parable about the tortoise and the hare.”
Dorothea was obviously looking for any reason to take offense. “Are you comparing me to a tortoise?”
“No,” Amelia said calmly. “I was comparing His Grace and myself to the tortoise. You and his brother are the hare.”
Thetondiamond looked over at James to see his reaction, then let the matter drop with a disgruntled huff when she saw he was grinning and not in the least offended. She now smiled at the duke and batted her eyelashes in obvious flirtation. “I look forward to receiving my kiss from you.”
Did she think the duke forgot she was snapping and disdainful only a moment ago? Surely, she could not be so shortsighted as to believe he would forget her behavior and immediately fly into raptures over her beauty.
Other men might, for they too often thought with parts other than their head. But the duke was a cautious man and not prone to fickle infatuations.
When this man fell in love, it would be a deep and abiding love.
Amelia finished her lemonade and sat back quietly as Dorothea continued to flirt with the duke, and as he and his brother continued to poke at each other in brotherly fun.
She liked these brothers.
Especially the duke, for he was someone quite rare.
Had he ever been in love?
She glanced at the couples who were relaxing in the tavern before continuing their scavenger hunt. There were several lovely ladies among them, for they were not all as shallow or conniving as Lady Dorothea.
He must have invited them because they were suitable marriage prospects.
Was he considering one in particular?
CHAPTERFOUR
The teams all returned to the manor house by four o’clock, each carrying a basket loaded with items. Callum groaned when his uncle declared them all winners, for the only young lady he wished to kiss was Amelia.
Well, at least he would get a turn with her.
The ladies cheered when he stepped forward to kiss each one.
“Me first,” Dorothea insisted, pushing her way forward.
Callum stifled another groan.
He gave her a kiss and then moved on to do the same for the other ladies, purposely saving Amelia for last.
Dorothea and her circle of friends took it as a sign of his reluctance to kiss the bluestocking, but quite the opposite was true. He wanted her lips to be the last ones he tasted on his mouth.
Amelia looked scared as he came toward her.
“I don’t bite,” he whispered in her ear, not certain if she heard him over the raucous cheers and whistles of the spectators. “Just close your eyes.”
Her eyes fluttered shut and she held her breath as he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers.
Her lips were soft and lovely, as honey-sweet as he knew they would be.
He sank his mouth deeper onto hers.
However, he did not allow himself to explore as he wished, instead counting slowly to three and then drawing away because he dared not take a moment longer or tongues would wag. “Open your eyes now, Amelia.”
She opened them wide and looked up at him.
He smiled back at her. “It is over. You have survived. See? It wasn’t that difficult.”
