Page 125 of The Scottish Duke
“Why do I make you feel uncertain?”
“Damned if I know,” he said, then apologized for his language. “See? I don’t normally swear.”
He smiled, a curious self-deprecating expression. “I had you judged as one thing, but you weren’t that at all. Instead, you’re a devoted mother, a loyal friend, a healer, and an artist. You tell me about things I’ve never known in my own home. I’ve even started looking at the world differently. I see something growing beside the road and wonder if it has healing properties. I hear someone complain about their arthritis and think that your balm would help them.”
“Is that why you stayed away so long?” she asked softly. “Because you don’t like feeling uncertain?”
He looked at her, his gaze intent.
“No,” he said. “I stayed away because you scared me, Lorna. I didn’t want to feel so much for anyone, let alone someone who confused and constantly surprised me.”
She couldn’t help but smile at him. Happiness bubbled up inside her, crowding out every other emotion.
Pulling her hand free, she stood and moved in front of him. Thank heavens she was only wearing her at-home petticoats. She removed them easily and kicked them out of the way.
“What are you doing?” Alex asked, but she noted that there was a twinkle in his beautiful eyes.
“Just testing a theory,” she said, crawling into his chair.
She placed a knee on either side of his legs, pulled her skirts up so the material wasn’t trapped beneath her, and sat.
“What theory would that be?” His mouth quirked in a half smile.
Raising up on her knees again, she brushed the backs of her hands against his cheeks, feeling the stubble against her knuckles.
“If you were as sensitive to my touch as I am to yours.”
“You could ask me,” he said.
“That’s true. But it’s so much better to test a theory, don’t you think? You’re a proponent of the scientific method, I believe.”
She placed her lips gently against his, but pulled back when he would have deepened the kiss.
Placing her cheek against his, she kissed his earlobe, then explored the curve of his ear with her tongue.
“Lorna.”
“Umm,” she said, dipping to place a kiss against the side of his neck.
The pulse there was beating furiously.
She smiled.
“Do you have your answer yet?”
“No,” she said, bending forward to begin to unfasten his shirt. “You’re always so perfectly attired. Are you going to hire someone to replace Matthews?”
“Must we talk of valets?” he asked.
“No,” she said, brushing a kiss on each eyebrow. “We mustn’t. Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“I want to kiss your eyelids.”
“Why?” he asked.
“I want to kiss every part of you.”
