Page 34 of Rogue Lyon

“And you like to win.” Jules didn’t phrase it as a question.

“Always. Don’t you?”

“Naturally, and I usually do.”

The duke laughed. “That’s fighting talk. Enjoy your lesson.” He turned and headed for the main entrance. “And I don’t think it’s going to rain, old chap. You’ve carried that umbrella for no reason whatsoever.”

Jules scowled after him. Winning the chess tournament wasn’t at the forefront of his mind right now. The prize he was after was Meredith’s trust. He wanted her to understand they’d done nothing wrong. That he was captivated by her and touching her and kissing her had been beyond wonderful and the most natural thing in the world.

He let himself into the room and shut the door.

She was seated, spine rod-straight, at the table. The chessboard was set out neatly before her. She didn’t look up.

“Greetings.” He placed the umbrella against the wall and stepped up to the table.

She didn’t look up from the pieces. “Sit and we shall start your lesson.”

“I returned your umbrella.”

“Good.” Her jaw was tight and her hands knotted on her lap. “I am sure to need it.”

“Meredith.” He placed his hand gently on her shoulder. “Please, I…”

She stiffened and that small reaction was a dagger to his heart.

“Please, this is a lesson,” she said stiffly. “That is what we must focus on.”

He swallowed tightly and sat opposite her. Today, a large tendril of her hair was loose and hanging like a silk curtain over her shoulders. He longed to touch it, as he did her cheek, her lips, the hollow of her throat where a pearl necklace sat.

She cleared her throat. “Today, we will delve deeper into chess strategy.”

“Which is?”

“Strategy in this instance is about long-term planning to gain an advantage, focusing on control, developing pieces efficiently, ensuring the safety of the king and creating sound pawn structures. While tactics are the short-term sequences that exploit these strategic advantages, the overall goal is to create opportunities for tactics through superior positioning and limiting the opponent’s options.”

“I see.” He nodded slowly. “Sounds complicated.”

“It is, and remember you have to read people, the way you do when playing brag. Keep up.”

He pressed his lips together. She’d sounded so stern and for some reason, that was endearing to him. Lady Eloise, or any of the other young ladies of the ton, for that matter, would never speak to him like that. And read people. Yes, he was fairly accomplished at that, but he got the feeling she was better at it.

“Shall I pour a tipple of wine?” he asked.

“Please, help yourself.”

He stood. “Can I bring you one?”

“No, thank you. I’d prefer to have a clear mind.”

“For what? The chess or when you’re around me?”

Her head flicked up and she looked him straight in the eyes. “Around you, Mr. Habsburg. I’m sure you understand why.”

“What I understand is…” He squatted at her side and resisted placing his hand on her knee, over her pale-pink gown, and instead gripped the table edge. “Is that I can’t stop thinking about you, Meredith. You have jumped into me, here.” He pressed his hand on his chest. “I don’t want you to be wary of me, or afraid of me, or…”

“How can I be anything else? What we did yesterday, I…” She snapped in a breath and closed her eyes.

He gave in and squeezed her leg. To his relief, she didn’t jump away. “Was impulsive and wonderful and I can’t pretend to regret a single moment I spent with you.”