Page 22 of The Spinster and Her Rakish Duke
“We’re married now, madam. I think we can discuss literature freely.” His voice held a note of wicked humor. “Or perhaps you preferred the scene in the library? When she begs him to touch her?”
Would he not stop this?
“I don’t know what game you’re playing?—”
“The same game you were playing when you pretended to read only‘intelligent fiction’.” He cut a piece of duck, lips curved with amusement. “I find honesty refreshing, don’t you?”
She lifted her chin defiantly. “Fine. Yes, we occasionally read novels of a more… adventurous nature. But that doesn’t mean?—”
“That you enjoyed them?” His eyes locked with hers. “That you wondered what it would feel like to be the governess in those scenes?”
The air between them crackled with tension. Samantha felt her pulse quicken, but she refused to look away.
“I wonder what it says aboutyou, Your Grace,” she retorted, even though her cheeks were now flaming, “that you are speculating about what I think about those scenes.”
Of course, she had just inadvertently called him a degenerate to his face, but he didn’t react with anger. No, if anything, he seemed to be fighting back a smile at her rebellious words.
He made a noise in the back of his throat and, even though he was not looking at her, she could feel the full regard of his attention on her.
“You’re not what I expected.” He said, and Samantha nearly choked on her food.
“Excuse me?” She set down her knife and fork, giving him her full attention now, hackles raised. “And what, exactly, did you expect?”
He pretended to think about it. “A spinster with nothing but resentment toward the world.” He finally said, before biting a piece of meat from his fork.
His bluntness caught her off guard. “And instead?”
“Instead, I find myself married to a woman full of fire.” His voice dropped to that dangerous low tone that made her lowerbody tighten traitorously. “Sharper than I anticipated. More… challenging.”
“You mean difficult.” She arched a brow.
Men usually used such words to veil their true, condescending perceptions of women.
But her husband shook his head slowly. “No. Not difficult. Exciting.” He paused, his gaze traveling over her face. “More fun to tame.”
Indignation flared in her chest. “I’m not an animal to be tamed, Your Grace. I’m a lady.”
“Oh, but my dear, every proper lady hides an animal inside her.” His smile was that of a purepredator. “And you, wife, are a tigress.”
The endearment sent shivers down her spine, but she forced herself to remain composed. “I won’t play your games of seduction. Whatever you think you know about me, you’re mistaken. You won’t seduce me.”
“I will.” His certainty was maddening. “In time.”
“Your confidence is sickening. How very modest of you.” She said, sarcasm dripping from her words.
“Why would I be modest?” He leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. “We’re married now. I could kiss you right now, and no one would stop me.”
Samantha went very still, her breath catching in her throat. The candlelight cast shadows across his face, emphasizing the strong line of his jaw, the sensual curve of his lips.
For a moment, she could almost imagine what it would feel like to have those lips on hers, to surrender to the heat she saw burning in his eyes.
“But I would,” she whispered, proud that her voice remained steady.
“Yes,” he agreed, his voice like velvet. “Nowyou would.” He leaned even closer, close enough that she could smell his cologne, feel the warmth radiating from his body. “But not for very long,my tigress.”
The moment stretched between them, charged with electricity and promise. Samantha’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she was dimly aware that her breathing had grown shallow.
His eyes dropped to her lips, and she felt her resolve wavering.
