Page 35 of The Duke of Desire
Chapter Eight
Ivy blinked at him, simultaneously frustrated by and flattered by his flirtation and innuendo. She recalled that Peter had flirted with her, but he’d never been this good. He’d lacked West’s air of sophistication. And something else. West had a sense of joy about him. And she had to admit it was difficult to remain immune.
“Miss Breckenridge…I just realized I don’t even know your Christian name. How can that be?”
She was inexplicably amused by this. Perhaps he wasn’t as smooth as she gave him credit for. “Because I haven’t told you. Why would I? It’s not something you generally share with acquaintances.”
“Well, I should hope we’re beyond that. It seems like I ought to know.” He glanced over at her, and their eyes briefly met. “However, I have the distinct impression you aren’t going to tell me.”
“Why, when I can make you guess?” Her lips curved up as they reached the path.
They turned and started uphill. The path was more than wide enough for them to walk side by side and was flanked by woods that went from sparse to dense to sparse again.
“I think you’re enjoying this,” he said.
“What gave you that idea?”
“You’ve smiled more in the past minute than I think in our entire acquaintance.”
She knew she was particularly sober, but surely he was exaggerating. “Yes, I’m enjoying this. What do you think my name is?”
He turned his head and looked at her as he walked. She could see his appraisal from the corner of her eye.
“I can’t decide if it’s something simple or exotic. I could see you having either of those. Or maybe something very feminine and beautiful.”
He was quiet for a moment, and her flesh began to heat beneath the weight of his perusal. “How can you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Look at me while you’re walking without tripping?”
“I have many skills.”
She let out a rather un-feminine laugh. “You are perhaps the most arrogant man I’ve ever met.”
“Probably, but I do try, and I like to be successful in all my endeavors.”
She turned her head and threw him a withering mock glare. “Do you ever stop?”
“Never.” He looked ahead, tearing his gaze from her. “Is this better?”
She didn’t answer but focused on their ascent.
“Mary.”
Even though her eyes were on the path, Ivy tripped. She didn’t go down, but West lunged for her anyway.
He caught her around the waist. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She straightened and looked up at him. He was very close. Too close. But she didn’t back away.
He’d called herMary. How had he known?
“You’re wrong. Why did you choose that name?” She shivered and wondered if he felt the slight tremor.
“You’re a compassionate person, so I believe you must come from a warm and caring upbringing.”
He was wrong about that too, but she didn’t say so. She pivoted slightly. It was enough to disrupt the physical connection between them, and he released her. “And that’s how you came up with Mary?”
