Two Dares, a Duke, and a Runaway Bride by Alyssa Clarke

Author:Alyssa Clarke [Clarke, Alyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darkan Press Inc.
Published: 2023-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

The gentle touch of a finger on her brow jolted Evie awake. Her gaze collided with bright brown eyes that were more golden. Lion eyes. It took her several moments to realize there was a gentleman in bed with her. In bed! The shock of it almost pushed her into a faint, then she recalled the night in its entirety. They had spoken for hours, sharing many childhood anecdotes.

Evie had told him the fear and wonder of climbing a tree for the first time as a child of nine. She spoke of teaching herself to ride a horse astride—ignoring the standard sidesaddle that was deemed proper for ladies—a rebellious act that made him admire her all the more. She even regaled him with stories of her pet parrot back in the countryside, a creature with a character as colorful as its feathers.

Daniel spoke fondly of his twin sisters, Amelia and Anna, and his younger brother, Gregory, revealing a deep-seated loyalty and love for his family. Evie was moved by the way he recounted his father’s passing when Daniel was just twenty, detailing how he had stepped into the enormous responsibilities of being the Duke of Audley without hesitation. His voice had been a soothing rumble that suppressed the fear of the storm, and she had wanted to curl into the pillows and let his voice wrap around her and lull her to sleep.

By the time Evie felt her eyelids grow heavy, giving way to the pull of sleep, she was filled with a profound realization. She had never met a gentleman like Daniel, the Duke of Audley, nor had she ever anticipated that she would.

Awareness of their position seeped into her consciousness, and she fought back the dreaded blushing. “My foot is on your hip,” she murmured. “I deeply apologize for this, but I am a terrible sleeper.”

She removed her foot, loathing how her heart pounded beneath her breastbone. Her body was simply filled with too much awareness of the duke!

Her eyes met his, searching the depths of those golden irises that seemed so warm and yet so enigmatic. A small smile hitched at the corner of his mouth, and Evie did her best to pretend that her attention was not consumed by the duke. Her heart pounded, and she felt … too warm.

“Aye, you fell asleep after demanding no less than all of my life stories.”

“Were they real?”

He stilled, a small frown cutting into his handsomeness. “Yes.”

“Thank you for sharing.”

“Thank you for sharing yours as well. I daresay you feel like an old friend.”

Her stomach let out an unmistakable grumble, a complaint she couldn’t ignore. Oh dear. It was a sound that could have been embarrassing, yet it only elicited a small smile from Daniel. Unfazed, he reached behind him to a small side table where a bowl of fruit was placed. Selecting an apple, he turned back to her and held it invitingly in front of her mouth.

Evie’s heart lurched. The offer was unspoken but clear, and she took a bite.

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