Page 8 of In Need of a Duke
She laughed, resting her face in her hands. Her cheeks were burning, and she couldn’t shed the ridiculous smile on her lips.
“I don’t know what I wish for in this life.”
“That is a crime.”
“Do you?”
“I know I want a wife, not out of duty but out of affection. I know I want to travel. And I know I will strive to live each day as if it is a gift and not a burden.”
“See,” she said, shrugging. “I almost didn’t believe you, but there you go, redeeming yourself. What lovely answers.”
“I mean them sincerely.”
Charlotte sobered. “I know.” She quickly peeked over her shoulder, then back to the duke, overcome with an inexplicable knowing. She could play coy, or she could own up to the fact that she liked this gentleman. It seemed beyond reason when they had only just met. And yet it felt as though she had been waiting for him on the side of the ballroom.
He tilted his head, then narrowed his dark eyes on her. Lovely, sensuous eyes.
“Shall we step outside a moment? Do you need more lemonade?—”
“Heavens,” she laughed. “No, no more lemonade.” Stepping out into some fresh air, however chilly, might suffice though. “Some air would be nice, yes.”
The duke offered her his arm. She glanced around, then slipped her hand through his elbow and was led out to the balcony where several others remained in the dim candlelight thrown from the ballroom.
“Thank you,” she whispered. She meant to say more, but his eyes raked over her lips, and she nearly forgot where she was.
A gentleman, indeed.
A thrill shot through her belly.
“You are a lovely dancer,” he said once they reached the balcony.
“There is no need to lie, Your Grace.”
“I wouldn’t have danced with you again if you weren’t.”
Charlotte tucked in a curl by her ear. “I don’t believe that recommends much about your character.”
“I find pleasure in all things but especially dancing. It is not wrong to strive for perfection.”
“No.” She looked away, out into the dark gardens where a woman’sreputation lay in peril. And though she was still within sight, still at a respectable distance from the duke, she wondered if it was too late. If she had, unknowingly, wandered off the path. “But it is a foolish endeavor when joy can exist without.”
“I could listen to you talk all night.”
“I often don’t talk at all. I can’t seem to stop myself around you.”
“Please, don’t.”
She gazed up at him, her eyes combing over his features, searching for anything that made sense. But nothing did this evening. And there was only so much she could blame on the gin in the lemonade.
“Tomorrow?” he asked again. “Tomorrow, may I call on you?”
Without thinking, Charlotte reached up and pressed a soft kiss against his lips, earning her a low growl from the back of his throat. His hand curled around her waist and gathered her against him. He drew them farther into the shadows, away from the others, hidden in a small alcove behind a large stone pillar.
“If you wish to kiss me, then let’s not do it in half measures, Lady Charlotte.”
He cradled her cheek in his warm palm, gently pressing his thumb beneath her chin to draw her gaze up to his. “Kiss me, well and truly, and I promise, you will never kiss another.”
“Please don’t make a promise you can’t keep, Your Grace.”
