Page 8 of It's In The Duke's Kiss
Dark eyelashes swept down to hide his piercing gaze. Suddenly, he bent to retrieve the letter he’d dropped. “Nathaniel is gone,” he offered as he stood.
“When will he return, Your Grace?”
“That depends on Nathaniel, Lady Emmaline. He rarely tells me his schedule. Now, I really must go, and so should you.”
Disappointment filled her, but she nodded. “Will you tell him—” She bit her lower lip. What did she want to tell Nathan? She certainly couldn’t say she thought he was grand and that her heart tugged when she thought about him. Nor could she say she thought they might suit and she dearly wished he’d court her so they could ascertain if they truly did. He was so full of life, and he seemed so bold and fun. He was the opposite of the sort of gentleman her mother surely wanted her to marry. Nathan was perfect.
“Lady Emmaline?” the duke prodded, his voice surprisingly gentle.
“I’m terribly sorry. Please tell him thank you for a fun day.” Despite the accident, it had been enjoyable. He’d told her she was beautiful and an enchanting snow fairy. And she hadn’t felt like she had to pretend to be someone she was not when she had been with Nathan.
The duke’s eyelashes flew upward to reveal eyes filled with irritation. “I’ll relay your message.” With that, the Duke of Blackbourne turned on his heel and went back into his home, though he’d pointedly told Emma he had to depart.
She stared at the door for a long moment. Whatever had she done to irritate him? She supposed he found it too improper that she had come to thank his brother. With a snort, she decided that the man was most definitely rude.
