Page 40 of Last Duke Standing

His gaze moved to her lips. “Perhaps that’s the very reason you enjoy my company as much as you do—I may be the only man in your acquaintance who doesna drool over the possibility of you.”

“I never said I enjoyed your company. And you are certainly the only man in my acquaintance who thinks he has leave to say such outlandish things to me.”

“Which makes me good for you, too.” His gaze moved down to her chest.

Her skin began to heat under his gaze. “You’re a scoundrel.”

He smiled and slowly lifted his gaze. “Aye, it’s been said.”

“I’ve had enough of scoundrels. One almost ruined me.”

“Then you’re in luck. I’m no’ a scoundrel. No,’ anymore.”

“Oh, I’m surenot.”

“I’ve enough to keep me occupied with my family and the Hamilton estate—it leaves very little time for scoundreling.”

“Hmm,” she said dubiously. “Does Lady Ellen know you’ve abandoned your role as scoundrel? Perhaps that would account for her interest in you.”

“Whatever interest Lady Ellen holds for me has been dictated by her mother.”

“Poor thing.” Justine smiled.

So did William. His gaze flicked to her lips once more, and for a moment she thought he meant to kiss her. She hoped he meant to kiss her. She would act properly offended, but she really hoped he would.

Alas, the man sighed and settled back against the squabs.

They rode along, their gazes locked, neither of them speaking, and yet, Justine could hear an entire conversation in her head. She was mesmerized, and she was fairly certain it wasn’t the champagne any longer. That had all fizzed out of her. She was also fairly certain she hadn’t felt this way since...well, since Aldabert.

The coach made the turn into the drive at Prescott Hall, bouncing along the tree-lined lane to the entrance. “Would you care to make a wee wager, Your Royal Highness?” William asked.

“It depends on the wager.”

“As I am the only man in your acquaintance who is no’ held in thrall by your presence, I can plainly offer my advice on your suitors.”

“I don’t want your advice.”

“And yet, you need it.”

She eyed him speculatively. “What sort of advice would you offer?”

“Whether or no’ the gentleman is a good match for you.”

She laughed. “How can you possibly know who is a good match for me?”

“Perhaps I will better know who isno’a good match for you. I have a fine head for these things.”

“Really?”She couldn’t stop giggling, appalled and amused by how confident he was. “A pity you did not offer to do the matchmaking yourself. Very well, what is your wager?”

“If I’m right, and the gentleman is no’ a good match... I win a kiss from you.”

Justine’s mouth dropped open. He was ridiculous! “Spoken like a true scoundrel.”

“Reformed scoundrel. I’d no’ have wagered a kiss before I was unscoundreled. I would have taken it the first moment I felt your sentiments toward me soften.”

She imagined him taking her in his arms and kissing her. An alarming little shiver shot down her spine. “My guards would have hauled you away and put you in chains.”

“Risks are meant to be taken.”

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