My Darling Duke

Her eyes dropped to the ravaged side of his face for several seconds. “You’re not a beast, far from it. Nor am I a beauty.”

“You are the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met. And I’ve all but kidnapped you with no plans to release you. Is there not a parallel with that story, hmm?”

Her lips parted in a whisper of a sigh, and the gaze that peered up at him held a thousand questions. They would remain unanswered, for he did not understand the forces driving him.

With only the faintest tremor in her voice, Katherine replied gravely, “Am I to be placed in a tower, then, and let out only when I am to dine with you?”

“No.”

They stared at each other, and the silence felt fraught with an unknown peril. Her throat worked on a swallow. “Each moment in your presence threatens ruin, Alexander.”

“It does.”

Her lashes swept down across her cheekbones, but not before he witnessed the spark of ire in her eyes.

She lifted her chin and stared at him. “When do I return to London?”

“When you no longer interest me.”

Her features froze in momentary surprise. And suddenly he felt a villain. But it was simply the truth, and he would not allow either of them to shy away from the knowledge.

An odd expression flickered for a moment in her eyes. “And what if I interest you forever, Alexander?”

He jerked as if he’d been punched; then he schooled his expression into an impassivity he was far from feeling. His heart was beating rather more rapidly than necessary.

The little minx stepped alarmingly close, lifted her hand, and cupped the scarred side of his face, rubbing her thumb over those ugly scars. That light caress was like butterfly wings, and with a defeated groan, he closed his eyes and leaned into her palm. There was a hidden part of him that quite liked the sound of forever. It filled all the empty crevices of his soul with endless possibilities…especially the kissing kind.

Alexander stepped away from Katherine, feeling cold at the loss of her touch. She moved back and lowered her lashes demurely, and he almost rolled his eyes. Katherine would not understand demureness if it bit her in the ass daily. “Would you like a tour?” he asked gruffly.

Delight lit in her eyes. “I thought no guests were allowed.”

“I make exceptions for my kidnap victims.”

She scowled, and he smiled.

“Ah, Katherine, you are a flame that has no end, and it would be such a damn pity to see your spark dim.” He wasn’t sure who he amazed more, Katherine or himself.

She leaned her head back and gazed into his eyes. “Why did you say that?”

He permitted himself to touch her cheek. “I do not know, but it is the truth.”

She wriggled her nose, clearly irritated. “Only those afflicted with some sort of madness speak without thinking and then have no notion of their meaning!”

“I daresay I can reiterate the same about those ladies whose mouths have no filter.”

She chuckled, the sound sweet and stirring, her eyes alight with something far too warm.

And not for the first time, he wondered what had happened in her life to shape such unflinching boldness of spirit. Was it when she had lost her father and had to be strong for her family? Or had her rebellious nature been buried under strictures and dictates of propriety until she’d had no choice but to draw from that inner strength with which she glowed?

Alexander had never experienced such melting tenderness. “Delightful,” he murmured.

Katherine lifted a saucy brow and fisted a hand on her hips. “I suppose you have no notion of what you speak again?”

“I referred to your laugh.”

Surprise widened her gaze. “I believe you are falling into like with me,” she provocatively drawled.

“I daresay I am.” And it was foolish.