What the Duke Wants(45)

Her arm tried to make her feel how warm he was, even through the material of his fine coat.

Her nose tried to overwhelm her with the spicy peppermint scent of him.

Her eyes tried to remind her of his strong jaw, his full lips and the broadness of his shoulders.

She silenced each sense that tried to be overwhelmed with him.

“Quiet again?” he inquired, his tone light but distant.

It pulled her away from the lockdown she had forced upon her senses.

“Simply nothing to say, your grace,” she responded.

“Again, I find that hard to believe. But perhaps I’m not asking the right questions. What do you think of Lady Southridge?”

“She is very kind to the girls, for which I’m very grateful. She seems genuinely interested in them.”

“I assure you, she is.”

“That is good to hear.”

The silence continued for a second longer.

“How are the girls doing in the studies?” he asked as he reached up to adjust his collar.

“They are very intelligent young ladies and quick studies in all I place before them,” she answered.

“That is good to hear.” He used her same words, which was not missed by her. A smile tipped the edge of her mouth at the oddity of their conversations. Truly, if they weren’t arguing, they were kissing. If they weren’t kissing, they were arguing. This was quite possibly the first calm conversation they had carried and it was also the most boring, mundane—

“What has caused that mischievous grin to delight your face?” He stopped their progress and turned towards her, his eyes taking in her features in a decidedly passionate manner that was in conflict with the lightness of his question.

“My thoughts are my own.” She shrugged, attempting to walk towards the dining hall once more.

His hand closed over his arm, trapping her hand and halting her progress.

“Now I find that my interest is overwhelmed. Please share your secrets, Miss Lottie.” He raised an eyebrow, but a smile tipped his lips causing his expression to be quite mischievous.

“As I said, your grace, my thoughts are my own. There is no requirement for me to share them as they belong to me only,” she responded lightly, but her grin widened.

“Then I shall try to tease them from you.”

“That would be a very bad idea.”

“Haven’t you realized that I’m quite fond of that which pertains to bad ideas, lack of thinking and all things impulsive?” he teased, alluding to their earlier conversation.

Carlotta sobered as she reflected on that same conversation, rather, the end of it.

“Yes. I’m quite aware. It’s to your benefit that I’m opposing in nature and find myself more inclined to be less impulsive and more thoughtful. They’ll be waiting, your grace.” Carlotta kept her tone light, but her gaze surely conveyed her desire for the topic of conversation to come to a close.

The duke paused, searching her gaze before his expression became distant.

“As you wish.” He began to lead towards the dining room once more. As they were rounding the corner, he paused. Before Carlotta could question what he was about, he leaned in and kissed her, softly, sweetly. It was nothing more than a quick taste of her lips before he withdrew, leaving her not even a moment to return the kiss.

Which she wouldn’t have done, or so she told herself.

Immediately he began their way towards the dining room once more.

“Before you say anything…” he began in a soft whisper, like a caress. “I did that because I had to. As much as it is impulsive, without thought to propriety and lacking all judgment on my and your part, I find that kissing you is simply like breathing. Absolutely necessary. Hang everything else.” He gave her a penetratingly endearing gaze just before they entered the dining room.

Carlotta, feeling quite overwhelmed with the whole situation and his declaration, was thankfully guided to her chair and sat. She glanced up to see the three girls staring at her openly, questions written all across their faces. But to their credit, they didn’t speak. Although Bethanny was struggling mightily to conceal her amusement.

When she turned to Lady Southridge, she noticed a twinkle in the lady’s eye, one that was deeply amused and impish. Both traits she wouldn’t have earlier associated with the finely turned out lady.

Clearing his throat, the duke sat and dinner began.

Carlotta had never been so thankful for the distraction of soup in her life.

“Tell me about yourself, Miss Carlotta.” Lady Southridge began as she delicately sipped her soup.

Apparently, soup was only a distraction for her.

“There isn’t much to say, my lady,” Carlotta replied, hoping to keep the conversation dull enough to allow for a change in subject. So far, the duke hadn’t ever asked about her background, but she assumed he knew through Mr. Burrows or even Mrs. Pott. Being forced into service because of one’s poverty wasn’t a discussion Carlotta’s remaining pride was willing to explore, regardless.

“Oh, come now. I’m sure there’s something to share! Where did you grow up?” Lady Southridge persisted.

“Not too far from Bath,” she answered vaguely.

“Is that so?” Lady Southridge’s eyebrows rose.

“Indeed.” Carlotta nodded then returned to her soup, not offering any more information.