Page 47 of The Duke Not Taken

“And mine is just right?”

“Oh, no—your grip is too tight.”

She was the most confusing, contradictory woman he’d ever met. What surprised him was that he was not vexed by it. He was fascinated. “I think you interpret my lack of curiosity for uncertainty.”

“Your lack of curiosity about what?”

“About princesses and wealthy heiresses. I am not one to care about such things.”

“That makes two of us.” She laughed. “Why don’t you share your gift for dance with all the ladies? They would be so appreciative.”

“There are more than enough dance partners for all the ladies,” he said gruffly. “Did you hear what I said?” The way she was looking at him was making him feel wound as tight as a clock. And the way she felt in his arms—he’d forgotten how incredibly soft women were, and this one in particular felt...luxurious. A fine cashmere amid so many spun cottons.Good God,he’d been taken in by a bit of satin and silk. That’s what happened when a man went without the company of a woman for too long.

“That you don’t care for princesses? I heard that very clearly.”

He twirled them again.

“Why in heaven wouldthatmake you frown?” she asked. “Did you think I’d be distressed by it? I’m not. Royalty is not for everyone. A lot of showy pomp and circumstance when you think about it.”

She was not understanding him. And he was decidedly not understandingher. “Allow me to speak plainly.”

“By all means, Your Grace. But I think the only way you could be any clearer is to repeat it in Weslorian.”

Her smile was dazzling. “I want only to convey that your time would be better spent dancing with gentlemen who have intentions. I have none.”

“That must make life rather easy for you,” she said as he moved them forward “I can’t imagine swimming along with no intentions.Myintention is to dance. But you mustn’t fret—I won’t take any more of your time than this, as I have no interest in you, either. Not the slightest.”

It was a fair point, but Joshua was discovering that one could certainly depend on Princess Amelia to let every thought in her head be known. But he was unwilling to allow her the last word in this encounter between them. “If you mean to flirt, you have a very odd way of doing it.”

“Flirting!” She laughed at him again. “If I meant to flirt with you, which I would never, you would have no doubt of it. Flirting is one of my more robust talents.”

He twirled them again just to avoid her smile. He searched his brain for a word to describe her.Intrepid? Not exactly—that seemed to imply a lot of valor.Renegadewas more like it. “There are squads of gentlemen desperate for a bit of flirting from you. For the life of me, I don’t know why you aren’t askingthemto dance.”

“Ah, I see. If a gentleman wants my attention, I should give it to him, is that it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t you? Just when I think my English is very nearly perfect, I am stumped again. But you’re right—you can’t begin to guess how many gentlemen want my attention. The servants—now there’s a lot who work diligently to show not the slightest bit of interest in me. You won’t even hazard a guess?”

“As to what?”

“How many gentlemen seek my attention.”

Was she teasing him? Because he wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if she sincerely wanted him to guess. “Let’s just agree there are legions of them.”

“Exactly.I would do nothing but dance all day every day if I were made to give attention to every gentleman who wanted it.”

He twirled her away from a cluster of dancers. “It must be exhausting to be in such great demand from all the gentlemen of the world.”

“Mock me if you like, but I’ve not said a single thing that’s not entirely true.”

“One cannot help but wonder why you are in England searching for a match. Are there not scores of gentlemen in Wesloria who seek your attention?”

“Practically dropping out of the eaves! But a change of scenery was in order.”

“Why?”

“Because...” For the first time, she looked away from him, and when she did, he couldn’t help but notice the sudden absence of sparkle. “I can be impetuous. That’s what my mother says. Frankly, she says quite a lot, but in this...she may be right.”

---