Page 56 of The Duke of Lies
Rufus asked Beau what he and his tutor would be learning today, and they were shortly done with breakfast. Beau was reluctant to go upstairs for lessons, but took himself off, leaving Verity alone with Rufus. Again.
They’d stood from the table, and he reached for his hat, which sat on a long, narrow table in front of the window. “I’m off to meet Thomas.”
She rounded the table to where he stood. “Let me see.” She lifted her hand but didn’t touch him until their eyes connected, and she asked in silent question if it was all right.
He gave a slight nod, and she lightly touched his jaw, turning his head slightly so the light from the window splashed across his bruised cheek.
She winced. “Does it hurt?”
“A bit, yes.”
“Some ice would help. I’ll have some fetched from the ice house, if you like.”
“That’s not necessary, but thank you. I did apply a cold compress this morning, and that seemed to improve matters.”
“It’s rather ghastly. No wonder Beau was so distressed.” She removed her hand with some reluctance.
“I regret that immensely.”
She shook her head. “Don’t. What you told him was wonderful. How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Know exactly what to say to him?”
He looked mildly uncomfortable, his gaze darting away briefly as he shrugged. “I don’t think about it.”
She stared up at him, loving that his eyes were green and not hazel as they should have been. “And I can’t stop.” Thinking about it—abouthim.
He looked back at her, and the moment between them stretched until he put his hat on and broke eye contact. “I should go.”
“You said you were going to tell me about what happened.”
He looked out the window. The rain had stopped, but the sky was gray and dreary. He returned his gaze to hers. “I will, but I can’t right now. Tonight?”
“After Beau goes to bed. Come to my study.”
The invitation hung between them. They could very easily have met in his office or in the Knight’s Room, either of which would be far removed from a bedchamber. Whereas her study was located within her apartments. Where temptation was close.
He nodded, then left, passing by her close enough that she could feel the air move and the heat he left in his wake.
She closed her eyes and suspected this would be the longest day of her entire life.
* * *
This had beenthe longest day Kit could remember. Could it have been the incessant rain that had chilled him to the bone and required him to bathe before dinner? Or the frustration they’d encountered with how to reengineer the bridge? Perhaps it had been the rock his horse had picked up in its shoe that had delayed his trip back to the castle.
No, it was entirely Verity and the fact that she was waiting for him in her study and that she’dinvitedhim there.
Next to Kit, Beau sighed in his sleep, having dozed off while Kit was readingRobinson Crusoe. They were nearly finished, but the boy just hadn’t been able to keep his eyes open.
Kit set the book on the table next to Beau’s bed but didn’t get up. For when he did, he’d have to go see Verity. Not that he wasn’t looking forward to that. On the contrary, he’d been consumed with the coming interview all day. How could he not be after last night?
It was, of course, far more than the kisses they’d shared—and that would have been enough to upset his equilibrium. But what she’d said had occupied his mind just as much, if not more.
She knew he wasn’t Rufus. What’s more, she didn’t seem tocare. No, what mattered most to her was whether he would leave.
Her question had startled him. Frightened him. Shaken him to his core. Not because she’d asked it—well, a bit because of that—but because of his answer. He’d said he didn’t plan to go, which had been an absolute lie.
