Page 24 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
Once again, I am bewitched. I gave up words I did not intend to speak aloud in her hearing. It is unfair that she has this effect on me while she remains safe within her armor.
They reached the summit of the hill and the blessed shade of the trees atop it. To one side of the road, the woods were thick,and to the other, the sails of a windmill were visible. There was a gentle breeze up here, as the sound of the creaking sails combined with the gentle swaying rush of the mingling tree branches.
There was no sign of their quarry, however.
Emma pointed to a trail that led into the trees through a gap in the wall.
“That path runs for miles and is a favorite of Josie's for its views along the hillside. Shall we try there?” she put forth.
Damien nodded decisively and followed Emma through the gap, which would have been wide enough to accommodate a horse into the trees. There was no sign of anybody else on the hilltop.
“It occurs that in saving your sister from scandal, we might expose ourselves to the same,” Damien noted.
“Then we shall simply have to make sure we are not seen. Better I am the subject of scandal than Josie,” Emma said without a hint of hesitation.
“Admirable selflessness. Do you always put your family above yourself?” Damien asked.
The path quickly led them into thick woods. Damien was reminded of the woodland he had taken refuge in near York to escape militia hunting for the man who had set light to a mill ofthe Fitzgerald family. The heavy smell of char and smoke hung in the air for a moment, haunting him.
“It is my duty,” Emma said.
“What of you?” Damien asked.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “What of me?”
“When do you put yourself first? Or allow someone else to?”
Emma bit her lower lip, setting Damien's blood racing. He swallowed, wanting to look away to hide his armor but unable to.
“Is that flirtation I sense?” Emma frowned.
Perhaps she had aggressively meant the words. A means by which she could defuse the moment into another argument and thereby deny her feelings. There was a hint of challenge in her voice. But only ahint.
“I do not think I have the right, but ordinarily... yes, I suppose it would be,” Damien nodded.
Emma turned away and continued walking along the path. It emerged from the trees onto a bright hillside high above the town. A dry stone wall ran along the crest of the ridge, which meandered along before descending into a narrow valley ahead. The babbling river they had crossed upon entering the townpassed swiftly through that valley and out of sight. The sound of gay laughter and thundering hoofbeats reached them. Emma dashed to the wall, followed shortly by Damien.
Below them, they saw a rider with a young woman seated side-saddle in front of him galloping down the slope towards a wooden bridge just outside the town. Both whooped and shouted at the sheer joy of their adventure. Emma smiled.
“Oh well, so much for discretion. We will not catch them now,” she giggled.
Damien joined her at the wall, leaning on it and removing his hat.
“Nor would I wish to be the rain cloud dampening their day,” he shrugged. “Let them play. I will vouch for Sir Thomas as I promised. Perhaps it will win over your father in time.”
Emma looked at him, but he did not turn to return her gaze. Instead, he pretended to be savoring the vista out over Nettlebed and the surrounding countryside. When his attention was utterly focused on Emma. Her touch was a gentle caress that sent a tingle down his spine.
“I confess that I do not know how to flirt. I have had no practice in it,” Emma said quietly.
Now, Damien turned to face her. He twisted his upper body, straightening up from his relaxed posture. Emma looked up at him, holding his eyes and refusing to step back.
“Why is that? Will you tell me? I cannot understand why a woman like you has so firmly rejected the attentions of men… Unless you prefer the company of women?”
Emma laughed and blushed at the same time.
“I am not so inclined asSapphoand her followers, though I have read her poetry. Is that scandalous of me?”
Again, the mischief crept through, and Damien was entranced.
