The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(31)

That was it. It had simply been far too long since he’d kissed a woman if Lucy Upton was affecting him like this. Fine. It had been a—ahem—moving kiss. Blast it. And that look of pure shock upon her face when he’d pulled her into his arms. That, that one moment, might have made it all worth it. Or even better, the fact that she’d kissed him back, with passion. And they both knew it. Let the little oh-so-sure-of-herself miss stew on that.

*

When the duke turned to face her this time, Lucy had plastered a calm (and self-righteous, thank you very much) look upon her face. She crossed her arms over her chest and pushed up her nose in the air just a tad in an attempt to seem above it all. She hoped it would be convincing. It didn’t feel convincing.

He cleared his throat. “That was … only a kiss. A mistake. We’ll pretend as if it never happened.”

Lucy tilted her head to the side, incredulous. “No apology, Your Grace?”

He tilted his head to the opposite side. “Do you want one?”

“Ever the gentleman.” She rolled her eyes.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “It meant nothing.”

“Of course it meant nothing, to you,” she agreed, a bit stung by his words though she’d die before she admitted it, “but how do you plan to explain this to Cass?”

A challenge rested in his green eyes. “We’re not going to tell Lady Cassandra.”

“You might not plan on it, but I certainly—”

He narrowed his eyes on her. “You’re not going to tell her, either.”

She tossed a hand in the air. “How do you expect that to be the case?” she scoffed. “I cannot wait to hear this.”

“Because if you tell her, you’ll have to explain why you kissed me back.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes on him. Just what sort of a game was he playing? “So what? Do you intend upon taking liberties with all of Cass’s friends? Is Jane next?” Cass would most likely swoon if he kissed her the way he’d just kissed Lucy.

He looked skeptical. “Don’t be absurd. Believe me, I can control myself around all of you.”

“Because you’ve done a smashing job of it so far.” Eyes still narrowed, Lucy considered him for a moment. She tapped her foot along the carpet. “Would you care to explain to me why you are so set on courting Cass? You’ve made it quite clear that you have no intention of desisting in your pursuit of her, yet you’ve never exactly explained why you’re so interested in a woman who isn’t the least bit interested back. Especially given that you’re here at this dinner party tonight taking liberties with me.”

He paced away from her and cursed under his breath. “Lady Cassandra was…”

She blinked at him innocently. “Yes?”

He growled. “Let’s just say she was recommended to me.”

Lucy took a step back, pressing her hand to the exposed skin above her décolletage. “Recommended to you? What the devil is that supposed to mean?”

The duke slashed his hand through the air. “It makes no difference. I didn’t intend to kiss you. I had a momentary lapse of judgment. If you’d like an apology, I’ll give it, but there’s no need to make more of this than it was.”

She pushed up her nose again. “It’ll be a cold day in hell, Your Grace, before I ask for your apology. If you were a gentleman, you would have offered without my having to ask.”

He pushed his hands inside his pockets and looked at her through heavy-lidded eyes, the slow spread of a smile on his lips. “If I were a gentleman, my lady, I wouldn’t have kissed you like that.”

Lucy fought the urge to childishly stamp her foot. He had her there. Which only served to confuse her more. Why had he kissed her? She eyed him carefully. And why was he so blasted handsome? Hmm. Again, that particular thought was not helpful. Not in the least.

Very well. Cass didn’t need to know about this embarrassing little incident. Especially when it would make no difference to her and she was in the midst of such sadness for Julian. No. Lucy would not bother Cass with this news. Besides, if Lucy did her duty as a friend and did what she’d promised Cass, she would get rid of the overbearing duke, so what did it matter?

Lucy took a deep breath. “Very well, I won’t tell Cass about this incident on two conditions.”

The duke placed his hands on his hips and tilted his head to the side again. “Only two?”

She smiled at him sweetly. “I can add more if you’d like.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “What are the two?”

“First, you must promise never to take such a liberty again—”

“Done!” The relief on his face was irritating.

The swiftness of his reply caused Lucy to grit her teeth. He didn’t need to seem so blasted happy about that one. “Second, you must finally agree to leave off courting Cass.”

He dropped his hands to the side. “No, I cannot promise that.”

She slashed an arm through the air. “Why not?”

“Because I fully intend to take Lady Cassandra to wife regardless of this minor accident here tonight. Rest assured it will not happen again.”

“How can I possibly know that?”

Skepticism etched across his face. “While I’m certain you’re quite used to men being unable to control themselves around you, Miss Upton, I am perfectly capable.”