“Yes,” he murmured, leaning just enough closer that she felt the subtle heat of him.
“And what might that be, Yer Grace?”
“You.”
Elspeth set her goblet down. “Ye may be a duke, Yer Grace, but no one will control me.”
Hugo’s lips curved into a slow, dark smirk, his gaze lingering over her in a way that made her pulse quicken.
“Ah,” he murmured, voice low and velvety, “Even the most stubborn, my lady, can learn to surrender. Especially when the teacher knows exactly what to do.”
Her breath hitched slightly. “And ye think I am stubborn, then?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Unquestionably,” he said, leaning closer, so close she could feel the warmth of him. “And I assure you—you will discover pleasures in obedience.”
His eyes flicked to her lips, and she felt a shiver run straight to her core.
Her chest rose and fell, a flush creeping across her cheeks. “Ye speak as though all the world bends to your will.”
“Perhaps,” he whispered. “Or perhaps one must only know where to press, and where to leave untouched. I have a feeling, my lady, I could find every weakness you never knew you had.”
Her pulse hammered in her ears. She leaned back slightly, hiding her flush behind a hand, but her eyes did not waver from his. “Bold words, Yer Grace, very bold indeed.”
“Bold enough,” he said, voice dropping lower, thick with heat, “to make you surrender. Willingly. Eagerly.”
Elspeth swallowed, caught between curiosity and desire. “We shall see, Yer Grace. We shall see.”
They passed the rest of the meal in quiet silence before walking out of the restaurant to the carriage that awaited them outside. Her body was humming, not only from the intoxication of such fine wine, but from him. She had felt it as much as her own breath.
“I’ll drop you at the house before meeting with the land agent,” he said as they exited, his voice measured yet casual.
“I thought I was to be your expert?” she teased lightly, a glint in her eye.
“Your counsel is appreciated, my lady,” he said, his tone returning to its customary reserve. “But not required for this journey.”
“As ye wish, Yer Grace,” she replied, a contented sigh escaping her. “’Tis late anyway, and I long to peruse my new acquisitions.”
He inclined his head, the faintest acknowledgment of her words, and the carriage carried them quietly through the streets, the din of London fading behind them.
Chapter Ten
“We went to a social gatherin’ so recently, Yer Grace,” Elspeth pleaded. “I surely hope tomorrow ye will give me a reprieve from yer effort to get rid of me. I need me beauty rest.”
“You’ll be happy to know that I have other business to attend to, other than you,” Hugo said drily, which only angered her more.
“Like meetin’ up with land agents to sell Inverhall?” Elspeth pushed, eager to know how his appointment had gone after he had dropped her off at Inverhall after their dinner.
“Well enough,” he said, not offering more.
“Very well then,” she said with a roll of her eyes as they climbed up the stone staircase to Lord Gerson’s townhouse, a distant relative of the duke. “So be it.”
It was only the following afternoon, and Elspeth found herself once again at Hugo’s side, being dragged to yet another stifling event.
She scoffed at the idea of this being a tea party. No, it was a grand affair teeming with chattering ladies and preening gentlemen.
As they began to parade around the room, Hugo’s hand grazed her side ever so slightly. While she saw a young gentleman bump into him, knocking him gently into her, she knew better. Hugo was too careful, too strong for some young lad to push him anywhere.
She leaned into the touch. The memory of the previous night, of Hugo’s commanding touch and her shocking response, still burned beneath her skin. Being so close to him made her feel restless, acutely aware of his proximity.
