Page 29 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
She frowned. “I haven’t had any problems aside from you.” Her eyes lit. “You’rethe only one who’s seen through my disguise. I think this is your difficulty.”
Just as he’d thought. “I’m sure you’re right.” He started forward again, and they continued along the street.
“Perhaps I ought to have been born a man,” she said. “I should think that would’ve suited me better.”
What a shame that would’ve been. “I’m glad you weren’t.”
“Why?” She tossed him a quick glance. “Forget I asked. I’m not sure I wish to know.”
Good because he didn’t want to tell her. Another thought occurred to him. What if her wish to be a man had something to do with why she didn’t want to marry? Maybe there was a more…basicexplanation for her attitude. “Is there a reason you’d prefer to be a man? You’ve said you have no wish to marry. Perhaps you’re not, ah, like other women.”
She slowed and tipped her face toward him. “What do you mean?”
“Only that if you’re more comfortable as a man, that might explain why you don’t wish to marry. Perhaps you don’t, ah, prefer the company of men.” He regretted saying it almost immediately. Yes, he was flaunting every convention by escorting her around London near midnight without a chaperone, but that didn’t mean there weren’tboundaries.
She stopped abruptly and said nothing for a moment. When she turned, she eyed him warily. “I’m not entirely sure what you mean, but I assure you that I have no preference for either men or women.” Her eyes widened, and he was certain she suddenly understood. “Oh. Well. I don’t wish to marry because I’d prefer to rely on myself. As for the other…” She looked away and started walking again. “I’ve actually kissed a man. It was nice.”
Andrew stared after her, momentarily unable to speak. When he found his voice—and his feet—he caught up to her. “Whom have you kissed?”
She slid him a sly look. “No one you know.”
“You might be surprised.”Hewas also surprised. By the fervor with which he wanted to learn this man’s identity and smash his face in. Which was wholly ludicrous.
“No, really. He was a sheep farmer’s son. This was years and years ago. Before my debut.”
Andrew’s shoulders relaxed. He laughed.
“Why are you laughing?”
Because he’d been an idiot. And because he’d stepped into a steaming pile of sheep manure with this conversation. “The idea of you with a sheep farmer. My apologies. I don’t mean to offend.”
“He was a well-mannered boy. Joshua.” She wrinkled her nose. “But he did smell like stale hay.”
Andrew laughed harder. “Stop, please.”
She blinked at him. “Perhaps you should tell me of your lady loves.”
Andrew instantly sobered, his laughter turning into a cough. “Yes, well, no. I don’t think so.” He wasn’t a rake by any means, but neither was he a monk.
“Is that why you don’t wish to marry? Perhaps you’re not like most men.”
He couldn’t tell if she was joking or not. He stopped and turned toward her. She halted a step in front of him and pivoted.
He pinned her with an exacting stare. “I assure you, Miss Parnell, I am exactly like other men. I like to gamble and race, and I like women.” He edged toward her. “Emphatically.”
She stared up at him, her hazel eyes enticing and mysterious at the same time. Her tongue peeked from her mouth and licked her lip, an action he’d never seen her do before and wasn’t sure he wanted to see again. Certainly not when she was costumed as a gentleman.
“Don’t do that.” He didn’t explain, nor did she ask. “We’re here.” He’d never been more relieved to arrive at a destination. “Ready?”
She inhaled deeply and smoothed her fingertips over her fake facial hair. “I am.” She’d lowered her voice and flattened her lips, looking more like Smitty than she had all evening, thank God.
“That’s disturbing,” he said softly. “How quickly and easily you do that.” He shook his head, then turned to take the stairs up to the door.
They were greeted by a footman and then made their way to the main gaming room, where faro and hazard tables were set up.
Charles waved from a faro table in the corner. “Dartford! Come here.”
Andrew leaned close to Miss Parnell. “I sought to avoid them the other night, but if you’re going to make a go of this, we must join them.”
