Page 22 of The Duplicate Duke
“Fine,” croaked Miles, catching his breath.“I cannot stay angry with either of you.”
“We’ve missed you,” said Lady Greywood.
“Terribly,” added Lady Gwendolyn.
He nodded.“I need both of you to promise there will be no more secrets.If we are to move forward from this, I want that guarantee.”
“Of course.”
“Without a doubt,” they said at once.
The rest of the supper was a delight.They talked, laughed, and slowly reestablished the rip in their bond.Miles was still miffed, but he knew he would get over it.He wasn’t alone again, and being part of a family wasn’t always easy.One must take the good with the bad.
* * *
“Shall I play for us?”asked Lady Greywood after dinner.“Mr.Garner found some sheet music.”
“He seems to have taken to both of you,” said Wickton, his tone sounding suspicious.
“Mama can charm anyone,” answered Gwen.“Let’s have a lively tune.”
Her mother found a reel, and Gwen’s foot began tapping.“I wish I knew how to dance to this.”She gave Wickton a side-glance.
“I suppose I could teach you,” he replied with a smirk.
They stood opposite one another as he explained the complicated dance, coming together, backing away, moving around one another, palms touching?—
A jolt ripped through her as his warm skin pressed against hers.Their eyes met, held, and time seemed to stand still.His whisky eyes darkened; she couldn’t breathe.A thrum began low in her stomach as her heart pounded.
He swallowed.
She blinked.
“At-at this point, we would switch partners,” he said, his gaze still locked with hers.
She shook her head, lips parted, thinking of something to say.“I don’t want another partner.”It was a whisper.He couldn’t have heard.
Of course he heard.
He licked his lips, then swallowed again.His head bent slightly toward her, his eyes moving to her lips.Then he jerked back.“I believe I’m more tired than I thought.Perhaps I’ll call it an evening.”
Her hand went to his forearm.“Please, don’t go.We don’t have to dance anymore.”
Mama called from the pianoforte.“We could sing.”
He shook his head.“No, my apologies.Thank you for a lovely evening.I must retire.”He fled the room as if the devil himself were on his heels.
“What did I do wrong?”
Her mother smiled.“Absolutely nothing, my sweet daughter.Absolutely nothing.”
CHAPTER11
Miles looked over his shoulder after taking the hedge to see Graham close behind.The duke leaned over the horse’s neck as its powerful body rose and stretched over the hedge.As the gelding landed, his front hoof plunged into a gopher hole, sending both horse and rider tumbling forward.
Rushing to the prone form of his cousin, Miles skidded to his knees and gently raised Graham’s head.But as his eyes opened, the face subtly changed.
“You saved me again.”Gwendolyn blinked at him, her azure gaze steady.“Kiss me.”
