Page 115 of A Night of Desire with a Duke
He showed her, thoroughly and enthusiastically, until they had to hastily redress when the dinner knock came.
Supper was indeed the same; questionable meat, overcooked vegetables, bread that could double as a weapon. They ate in the sitting room by the fire, rain pounding against the windows, recreating their first meal together.
"This is terrible," Catherine said, poking at what might be beef.
"Spectacularly terrible," James agreed. "Shall we stick to bread and brandy?"
"A sound plan."
They abandoned the meal, moving to the small sofa before the fire. Catherine tucked her feet under her, leaning against James, brandy warming her from the inside.
"Tell me," she said. "What were you really thinking that night? When I walked in, soaking wet and furious?"
James considered. "My first thought was that you were the most beautiful disaster I'd ever seen."
"Disaster?"
"Your bonnet had completely collapsed. You had leaves in your hair. Your dress was so wet it was practically transparent."
"James!"
"What? I'm a man. I noticed."
"What else did you notice?"
"Your eyes. How they flashed when you were angry. How you fought for what you wanted. How you matched me word for word, never backing down." He took a sip of brandy. "I knew I was in trouble before we even spoke."
"I thought you were an arrogant fool."
"I was an arrogant fool."
"You've improved marginally."
"Marginally?"
"You're still arrogant. Just less of a fool."
He laughed, pulling her closer. "And you're still stubborn, determined, and absolutely incapable of admitting when you're wrong."
"When am I wrong?"
"Would you like the list alphabetically or chronologically?"
She elbowed him gently. "I was right about the important things. Like sharing the room that night."
"That was my idea."
"You agreed to my suggestion."
"That's not how I remember it."
"Your memory is faulty."
"My memory is perfect. You wore a white nightgown. Your hair was down, still damp from your bath. You smelled like lavender soap."
Catherine's breath caught. "You remember all that?"
"I remember everything about that night. How nervous you were at first. How bold you became. The sounds you made when I..."
