Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,36
was the uncompleted kiss that had kept him up half the night. He’d barely touched his lips to Elise’s when they were interrupted. He’d lain awake, wondering what the feel of her skin was like. What she might taste like. How soon it would take him to persuade her to marry him.
Her reaction sent him mixed messages. He believed she had wanted the kiss. She certainly didn’t push him away or turn her head aside. Then again, he’d barely begun when their supper had arrived. Had she wanted him to kiss her or not? Would she have let him go further than a kiss? She’d walked out abruptly, making him feel as if he’d done something wrong. Perhaps he had acted too quickly. They’d hardly spent any time in each other’s company. He was a known rake, one her own mother had warned her about years ago when she’d made her come-out. If she’d read any of the gossip rags, she would know about his adventures in the bedroom.
He was different now. George had challenged him regarding the way they’d lived their lives. Weston had taken the time to truly think about what he really wanted out of life. Who he wanted to be. The kind of duke he knew he could be. No one in London knew that. Not the members of the ton or the London newspapers. Only Sam and George knew what lay in his heart. That Weston was weary of being Disrepute and longed to be a family man.
It would be important to bide his time. First, he had to keep Elise here for a little while. She had to see him for himself, not the cartoonish character lampooned in the newspapers. She might even be a little afraid of him.
And afraid of feeling anything for him.
She couldn’t deny the spark between them, though. She might not know she desired him—but her body betrayed her. Now, he would need to walk a fine line, balancing between being a perfect gentleman and host with hoping to finally get her alone at some point in order to explore whatever connection they might have.
He did his best to immerse himself in the ledger and read about crop rotations and profits and losses. It proved to be ridiculous. He only wanted to concentrate on the way Elise Blakeney smelled. He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, fantasizing about a true kiss with her. Touching those magnificent breasts. Burying himself in her.
Quickly, he sat up. Christmas was two days from now. She would still be here. He dashed off a brief note to Sam, explaining that he had unexpected guests turn up and that he wanted to bring them with him for Christmas Day dinner. He chuckled at how vague he was. Sam would think it might be Jon and Elizabeth who’d turned up at Treadwell Manor. He grinned. She would get the surprise of her life when he came in with a beautiful woman and her enchanting daughter. He would add to that surprise by telling his sister of his plans to marry the widow.
Summoning Pratt, he told his butler the letter was to be delivered at once to his sister, despite the fact that the rain was still falling.
Only moments after Pratt left, a knock sounded at the door and he said, “Come.”
Lady Ruthersby entered. She wore what had to be one of her own gowns. For a moment, he was disappointed, liking her far better in one of his mother’s tight concoctions. He noticed the gown was a deep green.
Was she in mourning? Or not? The color did not speak to that state.
“Good morning, Lady Ruthersby,” he said cheerily, rising behind his desk. “Won’t you come in and have a seat?”
She did so and said, “Mrs. Digsby said you were coming up to see us. I thought I would come to you instead so you wouldn’t be inconvenienced.”
“Nothing concerning you inconveniences me, my lady.” He almost cringed. His words sounded far too flirtatious to his own ears. Who knew what they sounded like to hers?
“I wished to discuss with you—”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“I . . . well, I suppose I did. As well as could be expected with my throbbing wrist. Claire wasn’t her usual, restless self, thrashing about the bed. She must have been very tired.”
“She is a lovely girl. I am very taken with her. I have always seen myself with daughters.”