To Dare a Duchess by Tamara Gill

Author:Tamara Gill [Gill, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tamara Gill
Published: 2018-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Byron had watched the Duchess of Athelby and Nina talking privately, and he would’ve given anything to hear what their conversation involved. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and he couldn’t help but believe that they were talking about him.

His discussions on the other hand involved politics, horses, and the latest scandal rocking the ton. He’d debated excusing himself and going to Nina and asking her to take a stroll about the room, but instead he headed outdoors, wanting a little fresh air.

The cool night air was refreshing after being inside among a kaleidoscope of scents, and he headed to the end of the terrace and stepped down onto the gravelled path leading across the lawn.

The Keppells’ home backed onto Hyde Park, and he strolled toward the little gates he knew the yard held. He would take a few minutes to regain his composure. The longer he watched Nina, the more his body reacted to her presence.

She consumed him, and yet over the past week she’d done everything in her power to avoid him. Did she regret their kiss? Was she sorry for allowing him his advances? Damn, he hoped not.

He ran a hand over his jaw as the iron gates came into view. They were locked. He stopped when he reached them, staring at the park beyond, its dark space as bleak as his own future if he did not convince Nina to be part of it.

“Byron,” someone called out. He turned, his heart thumping loud in his chest at the sight of Nina walking purposefully toward him.

“Whatever are you doing out here? I saw you leave and in these slippers I wasn’t as fast as you on the gravel.”

He chuckled, coming to stand before her. “I needed to clear my head. A lot of scents inside.” Although that was only half the reason. His true reason was standing before him, looking up at him with the biggest, bluest eyes he’d ever known. How he adored her. Her kind heart, her friendship, that she was a wonderful mother to her children.

“Yes,” she said, walking past him a little to stare out at the park. “I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. I’ve not wanted to, but I needed to clear my head over…well, you know. What happened in the carriage.”

He came and stood behind her, so close he could smell the jasmine in her hair, and yet he did not touch her. He fastened his hands at his side to stop himself. “When we kissed,” he whispered against her ear.

She shivered and wrapped her arms about her waist before she turned to face him. “Yes. When we kissed and the friendship we’ve had with one another changed forever.”

“Has it changed forever?”

He swallowed the panic, hoping she was not about to cut him free, tell him that their embrace was a mistake. It was not an error of judgement for either of them. They were made for one another. In time he would gain her love and then he could tell her the truth of their night together all those years ago.

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