Page 2 of The Duke of Seduction
Lavinia heard the pout in the woman’s voice and gritted her teeth.
“Have you changed your mind?” She turned from him, and Lavinia squinted at the woman, whom she instantly recognized as Lady Fairwell, a young viscountess perhaps a few years older than Lavinia’s twenty-three years. “Beatrice said you would, that you would tire of me very soon.”
“Nonsense,” he soothed as he reached for her and turned her back around, which gave Lavinia a bit of relief. His gaze darted toward Lavinia, and they made brief but pointed eye contact. She’d no idea what he meant to communicate, if anything, but she rolled her eyes at him. “I’m afraid someone might have seen me come this way. I was just going to leave when you arrived.”
Lady Fairwell gasped. “I can’t be discovered with you!”
Then perhaps you ought not be carrying on with a man who isn’t your husband,Lavinia thought. She shook her head as she huddled beneath the desk.
“Of course not. You go back to the ball, and we’ll find another time to meet.”
“Promise?” Lady Fairwell wheedled.
“I promise.”
Lavinia tried not to gag, particularly when Lady Fairwell stood on her toes again and pressed her mouth to his. The kiss was over as quickly as it had begun as the marquess set the viscountess away from him and gestured toward the door.
“Go quickly now,” he urged.
She swept from the room, and the marquess locked the door.
Lavinia scooted out from the desk as he rushed over to help her up. She didn’t bother taking his hand as she scrambled to her feet. In her haste, she stepped on the hem of her gown, which tripped her forward. Directly into Northam’s arms.
He caught her close against him. “I’ve got you.” His embrace was strong and sure, and he smelled of clove and leather. If he were anyone else, she might consider lingering a moment.
“And now you can let me go.” She made sure her heel was free of her hem as he righted her on her feet.
“I was only trying to help,” he said a bit defensively, his dark blond brows gathering together on his wide forehead as he stepped back.
“I don’t require your assistance, Lord Northam.”
He smoothed his hand over his lapel, his gray-green eyes narrowing slightly in a manner that only made him more attractive. Which he needed no help with—he was already one of the best-looking men in Britain. He was one of those gentlemen who looked dangerously handsome one moment—when he wasn’t smiling as now—and dizzyingly charming the next when hewassmiling, as he did in the next breath. “You know who I am?” His lips curved up, and his straight white teeth showed briefly.
Lavinia snorted and didn’t care what he thought of it. “Everyone knows who you are.”
“Then you have me at a disadvantage, for I have no inkling of your identity.” His tone carried a hint of flirtation, but she imagined he couldn’t help doing so.
“Nor should you.” Though a part of her flinched in disappointment.Oh, why should he know you?They had absolutely no reason to cross paths. In fact, she should escape this interlude as soon as possible.
He blinked at her, clearly expectant. “Are you going to enlighten me?”
“No. I’m going to leave.”
“Come, you must tell me your name, at least.”
She sent him a dubious look. “Must I? We haven’t been properly introduced.”
“Something tells me that wouldn’t normally bother you,” he said wryly.
She scowled at him. “Do not flirt with me. I am not taking the place of Lady Fairwell.”
He cocked his head to the side. “My apologies,again. I didn’t mean to suggest you should.”
She straightened, then abruptly recalled what he’d told Lady Fairwell. “Did someone really see you come in here?” A rush of panic spiked up her spine.
“No, I said that to get Matilda—Lady Fairwell—to leave.”
Relief poured through Lavinia, but she didn’t want to tempt chance. “I need to do the same.” She stepped around him on her way toward the door.
