Page 33 of The Duke of My Desire

“So did I.”

“Then would it be presumptuous of me to say I look forward to doing it again?”

His cheeks darkened a shade and she grinned, reaching out to brush her knuckles along the ridge of his cheekbone. “I’ve never known a duke who blushes. It’s sweet.”

He gave a soft snort. “It’s ridiculous. I hate it.”

“Well, I adore it,” she said. “And to answer your question: no. It would not be presumptuous. I might even consider doing it again now”—she arched a single brow—“if you are amenable, that is.”

He kissed her, long and deep, then drew back and said roughly, “I’m amenable.”

His lips found hers again, his tongue tangling with hers as his arm curved around her hip beneath the coverlet. He eased her onto her back, his kiss hot, and his hand had just covered her breast when a knock sounded at the door.

“Your breakfast, sir, as you requested,” the innkeeper’s wife called from the corridor.

Gregory broke the kiss with an anguished groan and Justina grinned, giving his arm a conciliatory pat. “I suppose we ought to be on our way soon, anyway,” she said regretfully.

“Yes, I suppose.” He did not sound entirely convinced, but he did climb out of bed and begin to dress, calling out to the innkeeper’s wife that he would be right there.

While he tugged his shirt and trousers on, Justina drew on her dressing gown, and she couldn’t help but giggle watching him rumple the bedding on the cot to make it look as if he’d slept there last night.

He really was an adorable man.

“Good morning, Mrs. Landry,” Gregory said as he let the woman inside. “Thank you for bringing our breakfast to our room. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

Justina seated herself at the small table and gave the innkeeper’s wife a warm smile. The food smelled positively delicious.

“Not at all, sir,” Mrs. Landry said as she set the tea tray on the table. “I’m always happy to be of service. Do let me know if you’ll be needing anything else.”

“Thank you, we will,” Justina said as the woman headed for the door.

“One question before you go,” Gregory said. “Have there been any further inquiries about me or my sister?”

“No, sir. Not a one.”

Justina released the breath she’d been holding as relief flooded her. Thank goodness.

“Thank you, Mrs. Landry,” Gregory said. “We’ll be leaving as soon as we’ve broken our fast.”

He pressed a coin in her hand and, judging by the way her eyes widened, it must have been a generous amount.

“Very good, sir. Thank you.”

Mrs. Landry left them, and Justina and Gregory spent the next half hour eating their breakfast and preparing for another day on the road.

After assisting Justina into the carriage, Gregory spoke with the driver then joined her, sitting beside her on the bench seat.

“Is everything all right?” she asked him as the carriage wheels began to roll.

“Everything is fine. I explained the situation to John, that we’ll need to backtrack and take the longer route to Cheshire.” He gave her a regretful smile. “I’m afraid that means we’ll have to add another two days to our journey, which will mean additional nights spent at a coaching inn.”

Additional nights. The idea shouldn’t please her—they were literally hiding from a man who was chasing after her—but a part of her was pleased. Pleased and relieved. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Gregory, not now. Not yet.

“Additional nights in a coaching inn?” she said, feigning a frown. “Oh, dear. Whatever will we do to pass the time?”

She looked at him, letting a teasing smile curl her lips.

Gregory’s gaze dipped to her mouth and his eyes were warm when they lifted to hers again. “I suppose we could read?”