The Duke's Counterfeit Wife (Surprise! Dukes Book 3) by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Felicity knew the Duke of Peasgoode was their enemy. Either he, or his secretary-cum-lover, had been in contact with Blackrose in Canada.

So why was he so wonderfully loveable?

He was the father she’d always wished for, the cheerful uncle she’d never had. The way he and Ian shared glances and grins made her wince at her parents’ loveless marriage, and he made her laugh.

She wanted to hug him. Instead she was going to betray him.

It was their second morning at Peasgoode, and at that moment, the Duke was telling the children a story about his favorite picnicking spot. Theoretically, he was telling them all, but Felicity was distracted by her whirling thoughts.

Right up until the moment Griffin leaned down and whispered, “Relax,” in her ear.

His breath stirred the hairs on her neck, but that wasn’t the reason she shivered, oh no.

It was his closeness. His scent.

It was him.

They were sitting beside one another on the sofa again, a spot she assumed Griffin had taken to fool Peasgoode. But when she twisted her head he didn’t lean back, and her lips ended up inches from his.

Like a fool, she repeated in a whisper, “Relax?”

Was it her imagination, or did his lips curl up on one side? Griffin’s blue eyes were twinkling with something she couldn’t quite identify. “Ye’re tenser than a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory,” he murmured. “Ye need to relax.”

This close to him, she couldn’t possibly be expected to concentrate on anything besides how good he smelled. “I am relaxed. And what a cruel thing to do to a cat.”

“Och, nay, I’m kind to pussies.” His grin grew.

Good heavens, she’d thought him handsome with those dark scowls? When he grinned he looked positively playful.

Was it hot in here? It was definitely hot in here. Felicity had trouble catching her breath.

Impossibly, Griffin leaned closer. “Ye ken, I can help ye relax,” he murmured.

Relax? Relax? She was even tenser now, with every fiber of her being concentrated on his lips.

Was he going to kiss her? Right there in the Blue Room—perhaps she should call it the Blur Room?—in front of their children and the Duke and Ian?

Yes.

Yes, please.

She licked her lips, and his gaze dropped to them. He was going to do it!

But from across the room, the Duke’s voice interrupted them. “And what do ye think of that, Griffin?”

Without hesitating, Griffin straightened and sent a relaxed smile toward the older man. “I think it’s a fine idea,” he announced, proving either he was very good at pretending he knew what was going on, or he really had been paying attention.

Oh my. And here Felicity was, trying to just remember how to breathe…

“Excellent!” Duncan announced with a little clap. “I’ll have Mrs. Bobo inform the cook, and they’ll arrange a little picnic for us soon. I’d love to show yer children the property.” He winked. “It’s important to be proper stewards, especially if ye want to have control over this place someday!”

The children sucked in delighted breaths, but Griffin maintained his casual attitude.

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