Page 24 of The Duke of Kisses
He turned back toward her, his gaze sharp with alarm. “Oh, bloody hell,no. I do not want one of those. Furthermore, you can’t call me that to anyone, for they’ll wonder how you came up with it.”
He had a rather good point. “You’re aware of these names, then.”
“Clare mentioned them last night. I’d be mortified to have a nickname.”
“I’ll do my best to ensure you don’t—at least publicly. To me, you are already the Duke of Kisses, I’m afraid.” She brushed a speck from his shoulder and allowed her hand to linger. “But it’s our secret.”
“Good.” He stood and held his hand to help her up.
She took it, wishing they weren’t wearing gloves. Or hats. Or clothes at all.
Rising, she tucked her hand over his arm for the walk back to the house. “Are you presentable?” she asked with a soft laugh.
“I will be. Just watch your mouth—don’t say anything provocative.”
“I would never do that.” At his bark of laughter, she added, “On purpose.”
He slid her a dubious glance. “I’m not sure I believe that, but I must rely upon your good grace.”
“When will I see you next?” she asked, already eager for the encounter.
“Where will you be tonight?”
“A small dinner party. Unfortunately, nowhere you’ll be or can be.” She frowned. “Tomorrow? You could come to the park. And tomorrow evening is the Newcastle ball.”
“I’ll do my best to be in the park, but I will definitely make an appearance at the ball. You can help me decide if I should purchase a phaeton on Monday.”
“You absolutely should, and I hope you’ll drive it to the park. I can’t wait to see it. Perhaps you can teach me to drive it.”
He laughed again. “Fanny, the idea of you driving a high-perch phaeton strikes fear deep into my heart.”
She swatted at his arm, grinning. “Perhaps it will be the one thing at which I will be graceful and thoroughly adept.”
As they neared the stairs, he gave her a heated stare. “I can think of at least one thing at which you are quite adept.”
“Oh, now you’re breaking your own rules. That isn’t well done of you.”
His mouth spread in a smile that turned her knees to water. “No, it isn’t.” He made no apology, and she suddenly understood why some females swooned. “Let us hurry. I need to take my leave before I reach an embarrassing state once more.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” she murmured. She did, in fact, want that and looked forward to the day when she could coax him to that state and let the consequences be damned.
