A Sinful Duke She can't Refuse by Olivia Bennet

Author:Olivia Bennet [Bennet, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

COURTING

T hey stepped out onto the veranda, where they were in full view of everyone in the music room but could converse alone. Isabella turned to Emmanuel.

“It is a pleasure to see you again. I had missed you.”

Emmanuel smiled. “I had missed you, as well. Welcome to my home. You must look around and tell me if you like it…if you would feel at home here.”

Isabella smiled, looking away from him. “Oh, don’t you think you get ahead of yourself a little?”

“I have never hidden my purpose for inviting you here.”

“Indeed, you have not. But until all is formalized between us, let us not act like it is.”

Emmanuel smiled. “By that you mean…? The kissing, perhaps?”

Isabella’s cheeks flamed. “I…I simply meant that language that assumes you have proposed and I have consented should be avoided.”

Emmanuel leaned closer, his breath lightly brushing her ear. “So you’re saying we can still kiss.”

Isabella’s eyes quickly darted toward the music room and then widened at him in warning. He straightened up, still smiling. “I shall take that as a yes.”

Isabella snorted. “Silence is certainly not consent.”

“Oh, indeed? What is it then? Confusion? Hesitation? Shyness? Tell me, my sweet Isabella.”

Isabella slammed both hands over her face, hiding from him. Emmanuel barked a laugh. “Don’t hide from me, please. I do so enjoy seeing the flaming of your rosy cheeks and the way your eyes widen with shock and embarrassment. Perhaps also…desire?” His voice softened, “Tell me, Isabella, do you desire me?”

“You’re very forward now that we are in your territory, are you not?”

“I do admit, my home makes me comfortable. Am I making you uncomfortable?”

Isabella shook her head so vigorously that a few tendrils of hair came loose from her coiffure.

“Good. I should not like you to be uncomfortable here…for it is to be your home.”

Isabella swallowed, turning away from him to look out into the night. There was not much to see as it was a moonless night and all that was visible was the shadowy shape of trees swaying in the slight breeze. She could hear the occasional hoot of an owl somewhere close by.

“I should like to see your estate, during the day.”

“Tomorrow we shall definitely take a walk after breakfast. I thought that we might picnic down by the lake before you ladies withdraw to prepare for the dinner party tomorrow evening. I do hope you don’t mind a rather large—I suspect—influx of strangers in what was to be our time to spend together.”

Isabella shrugged. “I expected it. I have been to a house party or two.”

Emmanuel lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed? I have not. Avoid the blasted things like the plague. But for you, I shall endure this one.”

Isabella laughed. “How so very chivalrous of you.”

Emmanuel made her a mock elegant leg and then straightened up with a grin. “I aim to please.”

The game of whist behind them was getting rather loud and Isabella turned to glance at them only to find that Mr. Chandler was sitting off to the side, his eyes on them and filled with malice.

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