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“It’s a similar pleasure I derive from reading and swimming.”
“And what else do you enjoy?”
Adel fought not to show a visible reaction, but she was beyond thrilled he was showing some interest in her beyond the trivial courtesies. “Your kisses, I daresay they are even more thrilling than reading.”
Edmond took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You are being provocative, Duchess.”
“One must do what one can to tempt her husband to his marital duties.”
Amusement lit his eyes, and then he smiled. Oh, my.
He fairly reeked of sensuality.
“With you it would not be duty.” Then he scowled as if he’d not meant to admit such a thing.
Delight filled her. It was clear storming his defences was not the way to seduce her duke, it must be done with one touch at a time, one suggestion, one kiss, until she shattered his resolve to stay away from her bed. There was a possibility he would come to it for himself. But that could be years, months…perhaps never. “What would it be?” she all but purred.
The way he stared at her…intense and hungry was so telling. Need stirred in her blood, and she was mortified to feel her breasts swelling, her nipples aching. He lowered his gaze to her chest, and a flush of desire swept along his chiseled cheekbones.
She spun, facing the wall of books, her cheeks burning at her uncensored response, and he’d not even touched her! It confounded her, how her body responded and the manner it showed how she was so delighted at seeing him. “I am going to read a story to the girls, do you want to join us?” She said. Stretching high upon her toes, she selected a copy of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, waiting for his response.
Heat reached out and caressed her, and it came from him. Adel had not heard him move. She could feel the solid, muscled outlines of his chest against her back. Without thinking she leaned into his frame and stifled the gasp at the pleasure she derived from the contact.
“Not today,” he murmured, his breath fanning against her forehead. “I could hear Sarah and Rosa’s laughter from the study.”
“Your girls are wonderful.”
She felt his smile.
“Your thoughtfulness does you credit. They are much happier since your arrival.”
“Please, I cannot claim credit for it. The girls spend a great deal of time talking about the things you have given them.”
“You disapprove.”
“No… But I daresay they enjoy my company because, well, I actually spend time with them. Sometimes children do enjoy the society of adult company.”
She faced him.
He cocked his head to the side, his expression inscrutable. “Then I am even more obliged to you.”
“I am thankful they do not hate me.”
“You are too generous with your time and affection for that to be possible.”
“They remind me a bit of my stepsisters when I’d just met them.”
“How many siblings do you possess?”
She arched a brow. “Are you now curious about me?”
“Are you deliberately bringing to mind my thoughtless behavior at the inn?”
“I do believe I am.”
He chuckled, the sound rich and warm, and so very appealing. Then he sobered. “I find I am, Duchess, very curious.”
Her heart fairly shivered. “Helena is now fourteen and Beatrix is twelve and they are Lady Margaret’s daughters, but I enjoy them as if they were my full sisters. I have a three-year-old brother from Papa and Lady Margaret’s union.” Adel smiled. “I hated my stepmother.”
