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“I am certain you must be parched with such thoughts in your head. I shall fetch you a glass of wine.” He winked at her before leaving for the refreshment table.
Her heart pounded in her chest from the lust that she couldn’t stop when he was near. She had never felt such overpowering emotions with any other man. If only she felt she could trust him. After the incident in the study, she had to keep her guard up slightly around him.
“Here you are, my lady,” he said, handing her a glass of wine. “Cheers.”
“Are we drinking to something?”
“A long friendship.” He smiled slowly down at her in a very primal manner.
Trying not to think about what they would do later, Tessa sipped her wine. The fruity liquid eased down her throat and warmed her belly. The more she drank, the more she realized that she hadn’t eaten much of anything since breakfast.
“I do believe this is our dance,” he said, holding out his arm to her.
“Very well.” She took his arm and strolled to the dance floor. As the strains of the waltz started, she found herself in his arms and staring into his amber eyes. Oh, how she wanted to trust this man.
“I heard Lord Langport has returned with a wife from India,” Jack commented as they danced.
“Yes, I met her. She is very pleasant.”
“I suppose the duke is furious?”
“I have heard that rumor. I don’t suppose he is happy about the scandalous union, especially since her father was merely the estate steward and not of a higher birth. I will pay a call on him tomorrow to see how he is dealing with all this.” Hearing a low growl, she looked up to see his jaw clenched. “Why do you get so upset by the duke? The man has been like a father to me.”
“A father? Are you that blind?” he hissed.
“Hush, and what are you talking about?” He should know that he had no need to be jealous of the duke.
“The man wants you,” Jack retorted. “How can you not see that?”
The duke didn’t want her. He gave her fatherly advice and treated her like a daughter...nothing more. “He is a friend.”
“He stares at you like you are a treat to be devoured.”
“Unlike you, I suppose.”
“Of course I do but I am only four years your senior, not forty years,” he countered.
Tessa refused to stand here and let Jack speak so terribly about a man who had only ever given her kindness. The duke’s generous support through the years enabled her family to gain social acceptance. How dare Jack malign the duke’s name unfounded ideas. Anger billowed up inside her, but she could not show her emotions on the dancefloor.
“You know nothing about this,” she whispered harshly before breaking free of his embrace. She rushed off the dance floor to the terrace. A footman walked past with a tray of wine, so she took two glasses from him before walking out into the garden. Perhaps a few moments alone would help restore her senses.
After finding a quiet spot, she sat down on a bench and sipped her first glass of wine. Tears welled in her eyes as she recalled their argument. Jack was wrong. There was no doubt about that in her mind. Even if the duke was attracted to her, there was nothing between them and never could be with the curse hanging over her head. It was madness on Jack’s part. She finished her first glass and started on the second one. Perhaps drinking would make this dreadful situation go away. Or maybe, she should just force Jack away from her.
Except for the horrible fact that she still wanted that handsome devil. She wanted him in every sinful manner that she didn’t even know of yet. She wanted him to teach her all there was to learn about making love. As she took another long sip of wine, she realized the world around her seemed to be spinning slightly. She giggled softly. In all her years, she had never had enough to drink to make her foxed. Apparently, this was the year for new things.
She heard a rustle on the path and sighed. She was slightly surprised at how long it had taken him to find her. “It is about time you found me,” she said in a resigned to
ne.
“Is it? I hadn’t thought you cared.”
Tessa shook her head and blinked at the low husky voice. “Who the devil are you?”
“You don’t recall?” the stranger asked as he came fully into view.
“Malcom Engleton!”
He smiled fully revealing a row of yellow uneven teeth. “You are correct. I hadn’t expected to find out that the Cursed Countess is in all actuality Tessa Drake from Cornwall. How’d you manage such a feat?”
