Page 49 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 9
Angels take flight to see her face,
Delicate beauty, heaven’s lace.
She is a song, she fascinates.
A stirring ballad she creates.
-FromThe Virtue of Miss Anne Berwick
by The Duke of Seduction
After two more rounds ofhide-and-seek, everyone returned to the drawing room. Conversation sprang up around the room, and Lavinia maneuvered herself to the corner where Beck was standing by himself.
“I was hoping someone might suggest music, and you could play guitar,” she said.
He glanced over at her, but his expression was unreadable. “I didn’t bring a guitar.”
“That’s a shame. I’d love to hear you play. Mr. Jeffries told me you are quite good.”
Beck’s dark blond brows arched briefly before he cast her another quick look. “What else did Horace say?”
She detected a sardonic edge to his tone. Overall, he seemed a bit tense. She moved closer to his side—but not too close. “He mentioned you fell in love.”
Beck scowled but didn’t look toward her. “Horace talks too much.”
“Are you angry with me?”
He exhaled. “No. I’m angry with me.” He still didn’t look at her.
“Because of what happened in the library?” She nodded. “I’m a bit angry too, actually. Well, not angry. Frustrated.”
Now he turned his head and looked at her. “You are?”
“Yes. I wish we’d had more time.”
“Lavinia.” The single word came out low and thick, what she imagined lava might sound like.
She took a tiny step closer and blinked up at him. “Yes?”
He frowned. “You’re flirting. And you’re not good at it.”
“I know.” She curled her lips into an eager smile. “Maybe you can teach me that too.”
He opened his mouth, then snapped it closed. His gray-green eyes were a storm of emotion she couldn’t read. “No.” His gaze moved past her. “Here comes Felix.”
She pouted. “Bother.”
He lowered his voice to a bare whisper, his gaze moving from her to the approaching Felix—or so she assumed since she didn’t turn around. “Lavinia, you mustn’t flirt, and we mustn’t repeat what happened in the library. I am deeply sorry I took advantage.”
“You didn’t,” she said softly. She narrowed her eyes. “And you’re also not in charge of me.”
Any further conversation was prohibited by the arrival of the Earl of Ware. He clapped Beck on the shoulder and said he was going to leave.
“I’ll join you.” Beck bowed to Lavinia. “Have a pleasant evening.” He was particularly accomplished at behaving as if they were barely acquainted.
Fine.She could do that too. “I’m sure I will.” She gave him a wide, brief smile and dipped into a not very deep curtsey. Then she turned and found Sarah, rescuing her from Lady Colton and Lavinia’s mother.
