Citit - The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke

Author:Darcy Burke [Burke, Darcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Titus guided her out onto the terrace, then down the pair of steps into his stepmother’s garden. “It might be small, but Lady Satterfield prides herself on the roses in particular. You should see the gardens at their country home.”

He was fairly certain his attempt at small talk was pathetic in the extreme, but his brain was having a difficult time outpacing his body at present. The touch of Nora’s hand on his arm, the sensuous curl of her lips as she spoke to him, the provocative slant of her tawny eyes—all of it triggered an exquisite need.

Walking with her in the garden was a bloody terrible idea. But he was doing it anyway.

He steered her toward the roses he’d mentioned. They weren’t blooming yet, but in a few weeks, they’d be a riot of color and a buffet of gorgeous scents.

She inclined her head toward the neat row of shrubs. “We have roses back in St. Ives. Tending to them was one of my favorite summertime activities.”

He envisioned her alone in the country, clipping at rosebushes, perhaps pricking her fingers on their nasty thorns. Somehow that seemed a metaphor for Society—beautiful but treacherous. “Will you miss that? I’m sure my stepmother wouldn’t mind if you wanted to tinker with these.”

She smiled. “Thank you, but I think she will have me too busy with other things. She’s quite committed to ensuring I have a Season to remember.”

Complete with a husband. He barely managed not to scowl.

They walked for a moment in silence. He should leave. He’d only come to dinner because he enjoyed dining with his stepparents. Except now, that dinner came with a beguiling woman who occupied far too many of his thoughts. A woman he’d pledged to avoid but couldn’t seem to.

She tipped her head toward him. “I hope you won’t find me impudent, but I wonder if I could ask how you ended up with the nickname of the Forbidden Duke.”

He stopped and pivoted toward her.

She winced and withdrew her hand from his arm. “I’m sorry. Lady Satterfield has indicated you’re a man who values his privacy. Forget that I asked.”

“It’s not as if I cultivated the name,” he said. “At least not on purpose. I can’t say I dislike it either. People cut me a wide swath, which means I don’t have to suffer banality. For that, I am quite relieved.”

She laughed. “My goodness. I can’t decide if you’re a snob or just intensely aloof.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, her beautiful eyes widening.

He laughed with her, delighting in her honesty even while acknowledging that if anyone else had said that to him, he’d give them the cut direct. “Probably a bit of both.”

Her eyes lit with mirth. “So you enjoy being forbidden?”

“I enjoy being left alone. If not for my responsibilities in the House of Lords, I would hardly come to London.”

She sobered. “I see. I am just the opposite, I’m afraid. I’ve been alone for so long that I’m quite eager to be among people.

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