Her Beastly Duke by Hayleigh Mills

Author:Hayleigh Mills [Mills, Hayleigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darkan Press Inc.
Published: 2024-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Briar’s heart was racing when she left the library. It was past six this morning when she awakened, having spent a wretched night tossing and turning before giving up completely. She decided to continue reading while she lay in bed waiting for sunlight to peek through her window, but she had read most of the novel she brought from home. She needed to go to the library to fetch something interesting that would make her forget about last night. Mama wanted her to snag the duke, but this was not what Mama had in mind!

Briar had gotten up from her bed and dressed. She supposed her restlessness was due to the combination of sleeping in a strange bed and her nervous thoughts about what transpired with the duke … Julius. She was, of course, grateful to Julius because the opportunity to assist him shielded her from some of the harsher realities of life. She was certain she was not suited for a life of poverty, and Mama would never recover from it.

Briar returned to her bedchamber and sat in the armchair by the window, the novel firmly clutched in her hand. She made no effort to turn the page as she recalled standing ever so close to Julius in the drawing room last night. He was handsome despite the scar although he did not believe so. Some would argue the scar gave him a sinister look, particularly when he quirked his lips in a smile, but there was nothing malevolent about him. He was a gentle soul. Julius had dressed impeccably for dinner and he was affable right up until the point when he lay his hand on her. The fleeting touch that barely grazed her skin had stirred something deep inside her. She could not have imagined how his touch would make her ache for more. She was stunned by the feelings he evoked. Would she never stop thinking about this man?

She had seen the way he just looked at her in the library. How could a fleeting, sensual touch bring this shattering sense of awareness whenever she was in his presence? She had to turn her head away from him while reviewing the books so she could hide the rising red flush creeping up her cheeks. She was hot under his scrutiny. How could lovers possibly mingle in a ballroom while they hid their illicit affair? She dismissed the errant thought of lovers.

Briar went downstairs for breakfast. Apparently, Julius had already broken his fast, so she ate alone. She was amused by how much Otis and the footmen fussed over her, perhaps only too pleased to have someone else to serve. There was bacon, eggs, kippers and braised kidneys. Briar was ravenous and ensured she complimented the loaves, cake, and marmalade. Otis was tasked with relaying her compliments to the kitchen staff.

She felt an intense spark, an electric attraction whenever she was around him, and she could not pretend it was not there. The flush, butterflies in her stomach, and the feeling that her knees would buckle at the sound of his voice.

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