Page 20 of Never Dare a Duke
“You are looking for a wife,” she said, inwardly wincing at how her voice had become a bit breathless. She had to force herself not to look at his arm, so close to her, his hand, which was so large, splayed against the rough stone wall. He was making her feel trapped again, but now it was a far-too-intriguing sensation. “You want to look at your leisure, and make a logical, well-thought-out decision. But with the two ladies pursuing you, you can’t even think, let alone relax. How can you possibly make a choice when their behavior is annoying you? I can help you with that.”
“Do tell.”
She didn’t understand what was happening between them, why he was looking down at her from his great height, standing too close. He had women trailing after him, for heaven’s sake. Why was he teasing her like this?
“You could pretend that you wish to spend time withme,” she finished in a rush. “The other ladies will be disappointed, but they will leave you alone to make your decision in your own way, in good time. And they would hardly choose another man as husband, not until you’ve made your decision. And since we both agree that there is no future between us, you will be safe.”
But wouldshe?
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Chapter 6
Christopher stared down at the surprising Miss Shaw. Was she actually offering to allow herself to be used, to be gossiped about, and someday to be pitied when he didn’t choose her? It made no sense.
And though he didn’t know her well, he already guessed that she was too smart a woman not to realize the consequences.
So why was she doing it? He didn’t trust her motives, but he would discover them.
Though he had her backed against a wall, she didn’t seem afraid. There was a forthrightness and courage about her that he wanted to admire, yet his suspicions kept getting in the way.
She thought she understood him, did she? After only twenty-four hours in the same house? She obviously trusted him in naïveté, for he could do anything he wanted to her, and only his version of the truth would count. He could be a lecher out to deflower her, by God.
Yet she stood there so brazenly offering her services.
And he found himself thinking about what a real offer from her would be like. For just a moment, he said nothing and let himself look his fill. She was not a classical beauty, but that gave her an air of openness and honesty, as if she were used to men seeing her as she was rather than fantasizing about her.
And there were those eyes, the deepest brown, lit by gold from within. A man could lose himself in there, forget everything. Her eyes looked wider and wider, and he suddenly realized he was bending too close.
He straightened and stepped away from her, disappointed by his own behavior. Again, he’d wanted to kiss her though he knew nothing about her. All he had was her word that she had no wish to marry him. That was so rare a proclamation that he didn’t trust it.
Oh, he was beyond thinking about himself as quite the handsome catch, although he’d been that stupid briefly in his youth. When one married a duke, the groom was only a part of the package, which included wealth and comfort, luxurious homes scattered across several countries, and, of course, the title ofduchess.He had long since gotten over the notion that a woman would ever love him for him. And as long as he and his wife got along well enough, and they desired each other, that would suit.
Miss Shaw cleared her throat. “So my suggestion has shocked you into speechlessness.”
It was too easy to smile around her, so he resisted the urge. “I was only considering the merits of the idea.”
She wrinkled her nose. “While you’re considering, can we move into a different chamber? My sneezing is threatening a violent return.”
“And how foolish of me, but I only have one handkerchief.”
He lifted a hand toward the far wall, where a perfectly preserved arch led into the next chamber. He’d been there with the two ladies, but he had not taken them beyond. He found himself ushering Miss Shaw through, up several stone stairs into another room, where part of the wall had fallen away. The roof was long gone, and sunlight warmed them. The hedgerowed countryside spread out before them, uneven squares of farm and pastureland.
“It is lovely,” she murmured. “Do you own it all?”
“Almost all. Not quite as far as the eye can see—in this direction.”
She smiled, even though she didn’t look his way. And he wanted her to look up, so he could look into those darkly fringed eyes again.
He had to get this foolish lusting under control. He’d never taken a woman of his own class to bed, and he wasn’t about to start now, especially an innocent virgin under the protection of his own roof.
As they stood side by side, Christopher asked, “Why are you making this offer of your services, Miss Shaw? You must know that when I choose someone else, Society will pity you.”
“And perhaps even ridicule me,” she added in an unconcerned voice.
“And you do not care how it might look to your family?”
“My family is in Durham, Your Grace. My parents are unconcerned with thetonand seldom visit London. Even if they somehow hear a rumor, they would be grateful and amazed that I was even being considered by a duke.”
