Page 35 of The Forbidden Duke

“Not quite. It’s rather extensive. You should see it sometime.”

How she’d love that, and it had nothing to do with her passion for books. She wanted to see his home. “I would like that. Perhaps I will find a reason to come.”

“I just gave you one.”

Her lips curved up as she stared at him in bemusement. “You seem to think people can do whatever they want, whenever they want. Life is, unfortunately, not that simple or straightforward for most people.”

His eyes narrowed briefly. “No, I suppose it is not. My apologies. You are welcome to visit at any time.” He turned back to the bookshelf and set his glass on the edge in front of a particularly thick tome.

She hadn’t meant to upset him. “I should like that—doing anything I choose. I could almost do that in St. Ives. No one much cared what I did, and that was rather liberating.”

He kept his back to her. “I would imagine so after being in London. Young women such as yourself are scrutinized in a horrid fashion.”

She joined him at the bookshelf. “So are forbidden dukes. It makes one conclude that London, or rather Society, is the problem.”

He glanced down at her. “Just so. You would enjoy independence? But of course you would. What fool wouldn’t?”

It was her turn to laugh. “I actually think several of the women I met in my earlier Seasons would not. I’m not sure they would know what to do with themselves.”

Now he pivoted. He leaned his shoulder against the bookshelf. His gaze caressed her, and she had to fight the urge to sway toward him. “Butyouwould. Tell me.”

Nora took another sip of whisky. Happily, this swallow went down much more smoothly. “If I could do anything I chose?” At his nod, she continued. “I’d live in the country. I do enjoy some of London’s attractions—the museum, for one—but I shouldn’t like to be here all of the time. A village would be nice. I adore market days.”

“Would you live alone?” He seemed to be genuinely interested.

“I’m not above wanting at least one retainer. Perhaps a married couple—a woman to help with the house and kitchen, and her husband to help with the land and maintenance.”

“You’ve thought this through,” he said.

She smiled, enjoying this conversation. Enjoying him. “Just now, actually.”

“Besides your retainers, would there be anyone else? A husband, perhaps? I thought that was what you wanted.”

She’d thought so too, but now that it seemed within her grasp, she wasn’t sure. She kept thinking of her sister. “My sister married the local vicar. She’s happy enough, but I don’t think she’s content.” Nora shook her head. “I daresay that makes no sense.”

“On the contrary, I understand you perfectly. You don’t want to follow in her footsteps. If you’re going to marry, you’d like more.”

Hedidunderstand. “I think I might be too old for this endeavor after all. I feel like a bit of an ingrate. Lady Satterfield has been so kind and generous.”

The space between them grew smaller. She realized he’d inched forward.

“You mustn’t think of it like that. My stepmother will not want you to do anything you don’t wish. If you’ve changed your mind about taking a husband, you must tell her.”

Nora was having a hard time focusing on their conversation. His proximity was playing merry hell with her ability to concentrate. “I haven’t changed my mind exactly. I just think that I’d rather remain unwed than marry the wrong person.”

“You are a wise woman, Nora.” He closed his eyes briefly and when they reopened, the green was so sharp and brilliant that Nora nearly blinked. “My apologies, Miss Lockhart. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

She nearly invited him to do just that, but caught herself before the words tumbled out. She was a bit surprised by her success, since she felt as though she’d fallen into a trance. One she didn’t particularly want to emerge from.

“You promised to tell me how you ignore everyone,” she said. “Will you tell me now?”

He arched a brow. “It’s a well-guarded secret—the very core of my reputation as the Forbidden Duke.” He rolled his eyes, shocking her with his behavior. He seemed so…accessible. Not forbidden at all. “It’s a nonsensical name.”

“But somehow dashing just the same. We want what we can’t have, do we not? Calling you forbidden makes you desperately appealing.”

He leaned even closer. “Does it?”

Nora’s breath was trapped in her chest. Her skin felt aflame. Desire and need pooled in her belly. She managed to keep herself very still despite the riot going on inside of her. “Yes.”

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