Page 98 of In Need of a Duke
He held up his hands, then studied her. “I apologize.”
However, that wasn’t what she needed to hear either. The faint trace of humor that had lit up his eyes faded to black—those dark, bottomless eyes of his that both warmed her and pushed her away. Barring him up, keeping her away.
Untouchable.
“I am sorry about your mother, Ian. I am sorry that your father made you feel as if you were a tether in a life he didn’t want. But I want you. And I want Nathaniel. And I want whatever happens to the damn Dandridge title because all that comes with loving you. You can’t run away or keep things hidden because you don’t want to deal with them.”
“Charlotte,” his voice choked, and she knew it was a tell. The first crack in his perfectly curated calm. Never an emotion out of place.
She shook her head, refusing once more to be pushed aside. “If you wish to stay, then love me and allow me in. We must be honest with one another.”
CHAPTER 28
His wife had been correct,of course.
And if Ian was going to prove he was even remotely worthy of her love, he needed to fully earn her trust. Ian had planned this evening’s surprise to aid with that.
“Once you warned me you didn’t bite,” Charlotte said, waving her arms out in front of her in the carriage. She wore a simple silk blindfold over her eyes.
Ian reached out and drew her back into his lap, whispering against her ear, “Only when it will bring you pleasure.”
“Ian!” She wriggled her fine bottom against him just to emphasize her frustration.
He chuckled, loving the flush jumping to her cheeks. He kissed the side of her neck before guiding her back to her seat across from him.
“Are we almost there?”
“Where?”
“I swear, you are the very devil today.” She bit her lip and looked toward the window out of habit before sighing.
“That’s not what you said this morning.”
Charlotte reached out to swat him once more, laughing. “Ian. Please? I feel like I’ve been in this carriage all afternoon.”
He glanced out the window, smiling to himself as they approached the busy square where the unassuming building stood.
“Can I have a hint?”
She bit her bottom lip, waiting out his answer, and Ian thought she couldn’t look more perfect in her pink dress and bonnet. He was going to love seeing the look flashing across her face when he finally revealed their outing.
“A hint… hmmm.” He purposely drew out his response.
“Devil,” she hissed again, kicking her boot against his.
“Very well. No more teasing. A hint? Let’s see. There will be horses.”
“That could be all England! Give me a better hint.”
“I never promised you it would be a good hint.”
“Ian, I swear to heaven.” She moved to push up her blindfold, but he stilled her hands, wishing he could feel her touch instead of the beautiful new gloves he had bought her two mornings earlier.
“No peeking. Just a moment longer.”
She sat back and crossed her arms, doing her best to pout, which was unlike her. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t resist her when she was pouting. Or smiling. Or laughing. Or lately, moaning his name while they shared a bed.
The street outside was teeming with patrons queued up along with waiting carriages.
