Page 22 of The Duke of Kisses
“I see. Your sister cares for you a great deal.”
“She does. I’m quite lucky to have her. She’s more than adept at dealing with my Fanny Moments.”
“Fanny Moments?”
“As you’ve noticed—and I believe I told you when we first met—I’m rather clumsy.”
“I had noticed, and truly, you didn’t need to tell me at all. You tumbled down a hill the first time I met you.” His brow creased as they started along the path. “And at our second meeting, there was that dancing disaster where you fell again. You also fell down the third time I met you. By God, descending the stairs was a risk we should not have taken.”
She laughed. “I refuse to live in fear. I simply try to be more careful. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
“Well, I do hope it isn’t me. I’d hate to be the cause of any misfortune.”
“It isn’t you, I assure you.” They strolled through the roses that were not yet in bloom. “I understand my brother-in-law may have interrogated you last night. What happened?”
He made a noise in his throat that was part laugh and part grunt. “Interrogated is perhaps too strong a description. He wanted to meet me, to glean whatever he could about my character.”
She tipped her head to the side and looked at his profile. The angles of his face were sculpted elegance—from the subtle jut of his forehead to the slender slope of his nose to the curve of his lip. “And what did he glean?”
“You’d have to ask him, but I believe he found me acceptable. It was a pleasant, genial encounter.”
“So you passed his test, whatever it was.” That West had somehow determined David should be tested and that David recognized it too only strengthened her belief that something was happening between them.
“I seemed to, but West’s good opinion means nothing without yours.” His words sparked a heat in her belly that spread through her.
“If you’d spoken to me like that yesterday, there wouldn’t have been any concern that I would be chilled.”
His gaze met hers, but he quickly pulled it away and laughed. “I wouldn’t have—there were too many people. You, on the other hand, have no problem saying things regardless of the audience.”
He was referring to her discussion of their kissing. Or almost kissing. “They’re my friends, and they won’t say anything, nor will they judge. I have, however, learned my lesson. I will refrain from discussing kissing with you in public. I must also request that you refrain from almost kissing me in public. That will make my task so much easier.”
They were near the back corner of the garden, a fair distance from the house, but still within view if anyone cared to look. He stopped and turned toward her. “I want you to understand that I do not go around kissing young women.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“And I really shouldn’t start now.” He started walking again, albeit more slowly than they had been.
“You actually started back in December,” she pointed out. “If you’re having an internal debate as to whether you should kiss me again, would it help to know that my sister isn’t watching us? She’s reclining on a chaise far from the windows. She’s expecting a child later in the summer, so she’s very tired.”
He sent her a brief glance, his lids low over his eyes. “You’re not helping my resolve.”
She smiled cheerfully. “I’m not trying to.”
“Fanny.”
She waited for him to say more, and when he didn’t, she decided she’d robbed him of speech. Perhaps if they were stationary, he might be more inclined to kiss her again. Especially if they were at least partially shielded from the house. “Come, let’s sit for a moment.” She steered them toward a bench that was tucked behind and beneath a tree that provided a bit of privacy.
Reluctantly, she took her hand from his arm and sat down on the smooth stone. He joined her, stretching one leg out. “How are you finding London?” she asked, thinking that if they stopped talking about kissing, he might forget he was trying not to and stumble into it.
Was she trying to manipulate this entire encounter to obtain another kiss? It certainly seemed that way. She was not very good at this demure-young-lady business.
“A bit complicated. Though I did take a walk early this morning. I’m enjoying the birds in Hyde Park.”
Of course, birds! “Yes, I’ve noticed that too. I admit I’ve taken up bird-watching since meeting you. I kept hoping I’d encounter you at Stour’s Edge again. What were you doing so far from Huntwell that day?”
He turned slightly toward her. “We have a parcel of land that adjoins Stour’s Edge. It’s only about three hundred acres, and I should probably sell it to Clare. However, my uncle keeps a small lodge there where he hunts. Or used to in his younger days. Now he goes there to paint. I sometimes visit to watch for birds. And to be alone.”
“Do you prefer that?”
