Page 28 of The Duplicate Duke
Gwen tried to catch her breath, holding her palm against her heaving chest.What had just happened?Never had she experienced anything so… glorious.She tried to gather her wits, and when he released her, she clutched at the pianoforte to keep from melting to the floor in a puddle.
“Question—have you been trying to seduce me?”
She looked up at him and stepped close, finding her balance again.“I have no experience in seduction.”Gwen reached up and laid her fingers against his jaw, traced it to his neck, then dipped the tip of her finger inside his cravat.
He growled.
She laughed.
“That’s not an answer.”
“No,” she agreed, “it’s not.”
“A command, then?”he asked, his arm snaking around her waist again.
“Please.”
Gwen lifted her face to him, and this time when their lips met, her hands wrapped around his neck, her fingers entwined in his thick hair.His tongue traced the seam of her lips, asking for something… She parted them, and when his velvet tongue swept inside, she heard a strange mewling sound.After another swipe of his tongue, Gwen realized she was making the sound.
The kiss ended, and he pressed his forehead against hers.“I like you better as Gwendolyn.”
She sighed, laying her palm to his cheek.“Me too.”
He laughed and held her close, rocking them back and forth, stroking her hair.“You are a vixen, my love.”His breath caught as he stared at her, realizing what he’d just said.
“You cannot take it back,” she told him, “for I love you too.”
“Will you answer my question?Were you attempting to seduce me?And was it your mother’s idea?”
She shook her head and grinned.“The duchess.She said to leave you be for a day, then taunt you with my nearness.And then, when you are at your wits’ end, kiss you.”
He laughed and kissed her again.“And the game?”
“Questions and Commandswas my own idea.”
“I would like one more turn,” he said, his brow furrowing.“Will you allow it?”
Gwen nodded, wondering if it was a ploy for another kiss.She would gladly give him another.
“Question—will you marry me?”
With a gasp and cry of “Yes!”she threw her arms around this handsome, kind, thoughtful, viscount and kissed him with all the passion that had been building for months.
EPILOGUE
Early August 1818
“He’s here!Mama, come quick.Graham has come,” shouted Gwen up the stairs.She ran to the door, sliding to a stop behind Mr.Garner.
“Calm, my lady.Practice being calm,” he murmured as she smoothed her silk skirts.“You are the sister of a duke.”
The butler had become a tutor of sorts, gently reminding her when her behavior wasn’t quite up to par.She had made excellent progress, according to him and her mother.Miles didn’t seem to care one way or the other.
Although she hadn’t wanted to wed immediately, Miles had explained about the reading of the banns.It was ridiculous, of course.An archaic rule.But he had also included the fact that her brother should attend the nuptials.He needed to ask for the duke’s blessing.
Said duke now emerged from the carriage, and her propriety dissolved as she ran down the portico steps and flung herself at Graham.He stumbled back, righted himself, then twirled her in a circle, kissing her soundly on the cheek.
“Sister, I’ve missed you,” he said, wiping the tears from her face.“It’s a happy time.”
