The Duke Experiment: a spicy road trip opposites attract romance (Dukes vs Doctors Book 2) by Eve Pendle

Author:Eve Pendle [Pendle, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

She took his proffered hand as she stepped off the train, but when she’d have naturally withdrawn, he enveloped it in his, giving her fingers a light squeeze of reassurance as he led her to the little booth further down the platform that was already doing brisk trade with the men in flat caps and woolen trousers that Matthew, with his tall figure, top hat and fine coat should have looked out of place amongst. But he was so contained and confident, it was as though he was part of the machinery of the train rather than a flesh and bloody person.

And he’d made her come.

“You don’t have to hold my hand,” she felt beholden to say.

“I do.” The Duke had a slight, secretive smile on his face as he turned back to her. “There’s a crowd. I don’t want to lose you.”

There were perhaps twenty other people from the train around them. Hardly a risk. But she didn’t say anything because the warmth of his big hand clasped around hers was lovely. He was big and secure in a way that she hadn’t had near her and looking after her for years. Maybe since she was a child.

He ordered food for them both without consulting her, and normally she’d have complained, but telling herself he was paying made it possible to simply accept the paper bags he passed her. Leading her away from the throng, he found a reasonably dry bench at the front of the train. Thankfully the wind was blowing the sooty train exhaust away from the station, leaving the gleaming green-painted engine puffing to itself without choking them. The sun peeked out from between the white clouds and there was the scent of rain and budding trees in the air.

“That is a Melton Mobray pork pie, and you won’t taste better anywhere in the country,” Matthew said as they sat by mutual agreement, close to each other because the bench wasn’t big. “You also have Buxton pudding. It’s jam and sponge cake and delicious. And no trip home would be complete without Bournville chocolate. It’s dark and creamy and the very best.”

“You’re well versed in local northern food then.” She unwrapped the pie and found a perfectly golden crispy hot water pastry top with a delicate crimp around the sides. Taking a bite, the buttery taste with salty meat and jelly made her give a little whimper of delight.

It was only when brushed a crumb from the side of her mouth that she found him watching her. Hungrily.

“I’ve been up and down this line many times,” he said, bringing his own pie to his lips.

“What made you choose Banton University?” she asked, and he replied as though this was a normal thing they talked about without animosity or weird tension between them and she allowed herself to relax into the conversation and the delicious food. When the conductor shepherded everyone back onto the train, there was a moment she thought they’d lose the familiarity as the bench where he touched her was right there.

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