Page 39 of No Duke of Mine

She’d rather keep him wondering for a while yet about her experience of men, anyway. He’d probably feel even guiltier for what they’d done together.

His kisses had been lovely, but there was definitely more to lovemaking than that. Her extensive reading had led her to believe it was an enjoyable way to pass the time. Maggie had lots of it now to spare. Why not give her innocence to a man she liked before they had to part ways? It was not as if he’d be betraying anyone yet. He was not betrothed at this moment.

Most likely, the chance to be with him would never pass her way again, either.

She put aside her disappointment and let the matter drop.

She collected a book to read and, on her way back to a chair, paused beside Algernon again. She looked up into his eyes, and she saw desire carefully banked there still. She was rather impressed that she affected him so much.

Since he wasn’t about to help continue her study of desire tonight, she moved away and sat back on the bed, tucking her feet under the comforter. She understood his reason for hesitation. After all, he was probably used to women of experience, and some far more beautiful and accomplished than she could ever be.

Maggie would not offer herself to him again, no matter how perfect the moment might seem.

“I need to check on a few things downstairs,” he said finally.

“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.” She did not look at him. She was starting to feel embarrassed, and it had created an awkwardness between them that had never existed before. “It was a difficult day. Please accept my thanks for your help.”

“Always,” Algernon promised, but shuffled his feet.

She glanced up briefly. “I promise not to leave the room.”

“We will dine together, yes?”

“Yes, Algernon. I should like to dine with you,” she promised. “I only hope the stew meets your high standards. I so hate to see you pout,” she added.

Algernon took the bait yet again. “I do not pout.”

Maggie laughed. “Got you again.”

“Devil take it! You’ll be the death of me, woman,” Algernon complained, but with his easy laughter, the teasing mood between them had been restored. They were friends once more, and Maggie would not be asking for any further kisses from the duke. He was too important to risk losing over an idle fancy of hers.

He slipped from the room, and Maggie immediately put her book down to look around her properly.

The room was larger than any bedchamber she’d ever been in. The curtains were velvet and a dark shade of blue. The bed she was sitting in was huge. She had not noticed the size when Algernon had shared it with her.

As she gazed about, she realized that this might be the master bedchamber, if there were any personal items scattered about. But it was an empty room, bare and with an unloved feel.

Unsettled by that, she prowled the chamber, looking for…she didn’t know what. Anything to tether her thoughts to the present. Opening each dresser drawer, she found them empty, until something fell inside one of the cabinets after she’d forcibly rattled a few drawers closed.

Opening it once more, she discovered an old property deed for a town house in London had appeared, as if from nowhere. When she looked closer at the paper, it seemed the top was rust-marked and torn where something once secured it. Strange that. She wondered why something so important had been left behind in this empty room.

Then she spied another doorway hidden behind a closed curtain. The door behind was unlocked, and it pushed open with a slight groan of the hinges.

Maggie inhaled Algernon’s distinctive scent and immediately felt better.

Scattered about this room were comfortable chairs, with cushions galore and an odd blanket, too. A clock that had stopped sat on the mantle beside a box of cigars and a handful of scattered coins.

Beside the window wall, there was another doorway. Maggie found a large dressing closet, half full of male attire that could only belong to a duke.

Maggie glanced back at the room she’d been given and felt a sting of bitterness fill her anew. The room she had was clearly intended for a bride Algernon admitted not to love.

She hurried back to her own room—and was taken aback to discover Algernon there again.

“I thought that was you moving about.”

“You heard me?”

He pointed to the floor. “My study is directly beneath our feet.”