Page 12 of Distracting the Duke

Suddenly, she released her grip and eased herself gently but firmly from his embrace.

He could feel her searching his face in the gloom and wondered if she could see his self-satisfied grin. It was always a delight to taste forbidden fruit.

“I take it you no longer consider yourself in need of comfort, Lady Tinniswood?” he said, allowing the disappointment to sound in his voice.

“If that was what you were giving, sir, and not just an attempt at seduction.”

“I never attempt seduction. I just do it.”

He cringed inwardly. Why had he said that? He sounded like a pompous oaf. “What happened just now,” he said quickly, “was…unexpected. But not at all unwelcome. You’re a woman of many charms, Lady Tinniswood. Tell me, why do you hide your light under a bushel?”

“I wasn’t aware that I did. But if it’s true, it may be because I don’t want to attract unwelcome attention. I’m too old to change now.”

“No one is too old to change. I think you already have, a little. You’ve discarded that appalling turban and allowed your hair to wave more gently about your face. I like it.”

“Purely coincidental, I assure you. I don’t go about with the sole purpose of pleasing gentlemen.”

Of course she didn’t. Until that kiss a moment ago, he’d never met anyone less keen to impress him. “That makes you an unusual female. Perhaps an exceptional one.”

“Are you complimenting or criticizing? I’m having trouble telling the difference.”

“I’m just pondering the puzzle that is Clara Tinniswood. I suspect— But no, you’ll attack me if I say it.”

He sensed her lift her chin in affront. “I don’t attack people.”

They were at loggerheads again. Well, that hadn’t taken long.

“I think you might.”

He was starting to enjoy this caustic banter. How easy it was to rouse Lady Clara, just like winding up a clock. He wondered briefly if she’d be as easy to rouse in other ways…

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she demanded. “If you’re not prepared to take the consequences, I can call you a coward.”

“I’d hate you to think that. And now you mention it, I want you to know it wasn’t lack of courage that stopped me exchanging blow for blow with your brother last week.”

He really needed her to know he was worthy and brave. Having her good opinion suddenly mattered more than he cared to admit. Clara, and his reaction to her distress, had taken him totally by surprise. He wanted to know more of her…in more ways than one.

However, reminding her of that regrettable incident in his study perhaps wasn’t the best way to go about unlocking her secrets.

He decided to experiment. How would she react to him flirting?

“Are you certain you no longer need the comfort of my arms?” he asked. “I was rather enjoying having you there.”

“Don’t change the subject. What were you going to say about me?”

He really shouldn’t be doing this. She was one of Eleanora’s guardians. Toying with her would be like juggling with fire and could have disastrous results.

But once again he couldn’t help himself. He took her into his embrace.

“Very well, I was going to say I think you’d be much happier if you took a lover. I sense a need in you.”

She gave a little huff of outrage, and he felt her lift one hand, so he held her tighter. “No, I won’t let you strike me. You asked for the truth, Clara, and I’m giving it.”

“You are wrong, sir.”

“Let me prove it to you.”

He leaned forward and caressed her forehead with his lips and immediately felt her body quiver. He sought her ear with his mouth and laid a trail of kisses around its outer edge before nipping at her earlobe.