Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,42

had thought he would, hoped for it even, but he always managed to catch himself before it fully formed across his lips.

She let slip a small sigh. Why did this man confuse her so? She soon came to the realization that she was beginning to confuse herself as well. She had felt …things … while they had been together in the music room. As they walked, she felt them still.

Stirrings inside of her, longings even. They were strange and new, unlike anything she had ever known, and she did not know what to make of them.

Sometimes, her heart grew so warm. Other times, it was as though her spirits were lifting.

When his fingers had mistakenly brushed over hers a few times, her stomach had trembled, buzzing with a thousand tiny flutters.

Why him?

Granted, she had lived a very sheltered life in Charleveaux and had scarcely met many gentlemen. Nevertheless, the duke was not the only gentleman whose company she had ever been in. He was not even the only young man in Dunham.

There was Roy, and the other manservants. None of them made her feel the way the duke did.

What was she to make of this? The one man who remained a mystery to her, an enigma, was the one who awakened things in her she hadn’t known she was capable of feeling.

Even in that moment, she could sense his presence by her side. Strong, dauntless, striking. It was impossible to ignore the fact that he was walking there with her.

His scent filled her nostrils. They made her think of woods and tea, and earth after a night of rain. She hadn’t realized she favored those scents until then.

As the doors of her chamber came into sight, Judith felt a wave of relief wash over her. Perhaps, being away from him would help her think straight.

They drew to a stop just outside her door and turned to face one another.

“I suppose I shall see you at dinner…?” she asked hesitantly.

“I cannot say for sure. However, if I do decide to join you and Miss Mitchell, I will be certain to send word beforehand.”

She bowed her head. “We shall see, then.”

“Yes,” he answered. “We shall.”

Silence returned, lasting a moment too long. She could tell he was struggling with words. She was not quite certain she could trust herself to speak either.

Finally, he broke the spell. “My lady.”

Her brow raised as he stretched out his hand, palm upturned. It took her a minute to realize what he wanted. As she did, awe filled her yet again.

It appeared the duke was full of surprises.

Swiftly, she placed her hand in his, and he bowed to place a kiss upon it.

The moment his lips touched her skin, she froze. Her eyes fluttered closed as her head began to spin. It was through sheer willpower that she did not wobble as she felt her knees grow weak.

How could a kiss so small affect one so?

Eventually, he rose, releasing her hand. When he would have held her gaze, she looked away, unable to look him in the eye.

She did not trust herself to hide the myriad of emotions warring inside her. She did not want him to see what he did to her.

“It was a pleasure, spending time with you, Lady Judith. It is easily the best day I have had in years. Thank you for your sweet company. If we do not meet at dinner, then I suppose this is goodnight.”

Her entire body thrummed as a strange sensation flowed through her nerves. It was everything about him, especially that voice. It was different tonight; it made her think of silk dipped in honey.

“The pleasure is mine, Your Grace,” she croaked. “I too enjoyed our time together, very much.”

She chided herself as the words left her mouth, only then realizing how intimate she sounded. Anyone listening could easily misinterpret her meaning.

She looked at him then, not certain whether to take those words or explain herself, and that was when she saw it; a twinkle in those obsidian depths.

She had never thought she would ever see any light in them, had never imagined they would look so lovely it would render her breathless.

By heavens, she had never seen eyes shine so beautifully.

“I am happy to hear that. Well then, I must not keep you any longer. I wish you an even lovelier evening.”

“Thank you. Goodnight, Your Grace.” Her words came out in a whisper, but it could not be helped.

Thankfully, he said nothing more. He simply turned and walked