The Duke Identity (Game of Dukes #1)(66)

After a few seconds, he muttered, “The feeling was mutual.”

“You think so?” she said eagerly.

She wished it were true. Wished with all her heart that Bennett’s family would like her and welcome her into the fold. Yet she couldn’t shake the fear of a different kind of reception, the kind she’d more often received in her life.

Ambrose Bennett had seemed nice, but his carriage, clothing, and manner had all pointed to the fact that he was a gentleman and a well-to-do one at that. He might not approve of his brother’s involvement with a daughter of the underworld. In order to understand what she was up against, she needed to find out more about Bennett’s family.

“Ambrose was charmed by you. Then again,”—Bennett’s eyes softened—“who wouldn’t be?”

She didn’t have enough fingers to list all her detractors, but his faith in her charms made her heart go pitter-patter. “Do you, um, have other siblings?”

“I have sisters.”

“How many?”

“Four.”

When he said no more, she said wistfully, “I’ve always wanted siblings.”

“When our parents passed, Ambrose and my eldest sister took care of the rest of us, so, in a way, they were like parents, too.”

“How old were you when your parents passed?”

He hesitated. “I was a grown man when my papa passed. My mama died when I was twelve.”

“Did you miss her?” Tessa said softly.

“Yes. We all did. She was a wonderful mother, loving and patient, and she was our rock.” His voice had a hoarse edge. “Sometimes I think…”

“What do you think?” she prompted.

He studied his hands. “That those years before she died were the happiest of my life.”

A spasm hit Tessa’s heart. How difficult it must have been for him to lose his mother, whom he’d clearly loved, and at such a tender age. She wondered if his reluctance to open his heart had something to do with this early loss as well as the betrayal he’d suffered.

Resolve filled her. Your happiest years are yet to come, Bennett. I’ll see to that. Seeing the rawness in his eyes, however, she decided not to push.

Instead, she smiled. “I’d love to meet the rest of your family.”

“I’d like that too,” he said quietly. “One day.”

“Do they all live in London?”

“Not all.”

“But your brother does?” When he gave a curt nod, she said earnestly, “I should like to send him a note of thanks.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“But he was inordinately helpful. Come to think of it,” she said, canting her head, “he conducted himself with remarkable poise. Does he have prior experience with such situations?”

Bennett’s brows lifted. “Are you asking if my brother has participated in break-ins before?”

Her cheeks heated. “I didn’t mean to imply—”

“Ambrose has a steady temperament. He’s a gentleman through and through.”

“Yes, of course,” she said hastily. “I meant no insult.”

Why, oh why, do I constantly put my foot in my mouth? In the taut silence, her heartbeat clip-clopped along with the horses. She cast about desperately for another topic.

“I got fitted for the masquerade,” she blurted.

A pause. “How did it go?”

“Fine, I think. The theme is ‘Wonders of the Animal World.’ Madame Rousseau said she could make me any costume I wanted.”

“What animal did you choose?”

“It’s a surprise,” she said on impulse.

His lips twitched. “I’m certain you’ll be charming, no matter what costume you wear.”

“I wouldn’t be so certain.”

When he tilted his head in question, she admitted, “The truth is that I dread the masquerade. I, or Miss Theresa Smith rather, was never a smashing success at these blasted affairs.”

“Why not?”

“Um, because I lack social graces? Because I flirt as well as I play the violin?” She pursed her lips. “Or perhaps it’s because I’d rather encounter armed cutthroats in an alleyway than fan-wielding chits in a ballroom?”

“I, for one, have no complaints about your flirtation skills.” His heated glance made her pulse flutter. “As long as you use them only with me.”

“I wouldn’t want to flirt with anyone else.”

“Which proves my point,” he murmured. “Your lack of artifice, sprite, don’t you know how irresistible it is? How irresistible you are?”

Her lips parted as she stared at him, loving him so much that her chest ached with it.

“Christ, stop being adorable. A man can only take so much,” he said in a low growl. “As it is, it’s requiring all my willpower not to drag you onto my lap and have my way with you.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” she whispered.

His smile was her favorite one: slow, a bit wicked. “Don’t tempt me, sweeting. Else I’ll forget that we’re in a carriage, in the middle of the day, with the maid and groom within earshot.”

Details that mattered, she supposed. She sighed.