Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,43
easy task, a lady moving a mountain.
He slanted a smile at her as he allowed her to draw him back toward the coaching yard. “No harm has been done.”
She exhaled, but her relief was premature.
Luke stopped and captured her hands. “Where are your gloves?” His frown deepened when he flipped her palms up. “Perhaps a better question is why are your hands covered with dirt?”
She pulled from his grasp, a light sweat blanketing her body, and took a deep, fortifying breath. This wouldn’t be the first time she had incited a gentleman to raise his voice.
“I saw a weed.”
“A weed?” A note of laughter rang in his voice, easing her concern.
“Several, actually. In the garden behind the inn. It has been horribly neglected.”
“I see.” He scratched the dark shadow on his jaw. “And your gloves?”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I—they are still in the garden.” She held up a finger. “Wait here while I retrieve them.”
“Don’t be silly. I will retrieve them on your behalf.”
If Luke sought out her gloves, he would discover Mr. Collier. “No!”
She stepped into his path. He came up short. He took a step to the left to go around her, but she countered his move.
“Vivian, what are you doing? Allow me to pass.”
As he tried once more to go by, she darted in front of him. “Wait! You can’t leave me. I—I’m feeling faint.”
“Faint?” Luke’s eyes narrowed. “You appear fine.”
“No, no. I am not.” She swayed on her feet to lend believability to her performance. “I might swoon.” She considered holding a hand to her forehead, but it seemed too melodramatic by half.
He grabbed her around the waist, his hands hot through the fabric of her travel dress. Her throat stopped working properly, and her head swam. She might very well faint right here in his arms.
He leaned forward until they were eye to eye. Her lids drifted to half-mast and her breath escaped her in shallow puffs.
“I would venture you have never swooned in your life, Vivian Worth.”
His smug certainty shattered the spell, and she shoved her palms against his chest, breaking from his hold. “How could you know such a thing? Why, I might swoon twice a day for all you know.”
“Because you, my darling, aren’t faint of heart.”
She huffed. When he phrased it that way, it sounded complimentary. Yet he was also calling her a liar. Her knees should buckle just to spite him, but they had a mind of their own and held steadfast.
He slipped past her, his long strides carrying him around the side of the building.
Vivian scrambled after him. “Wait! I can explain.”
She clamped her lips together as she entered the clearing. Collier was gone.
“Here they are.” Luke scooped up her gloves. Spinning on his heel, he strode toward her. The firm set to his jaw and his advance made her back up a step. He didn’t stop until he stood right in front of her, much too close. Heat rolled off him and made her skin feel prickly.
“Vivian.” His voice was a husky whisper.
Her knees knocked. Now was a fine time for them to decide to cooperate. “Yes?”
“What is it you wish to explain?”
She shook her head, willing her legs to stop quivering. “It was nothing.”
Taking her hand and turning it palm up, he drew circles on her skin with his thumb. His eyes darkened as he leaned even closer; his lips parted. “Your gloves, my lady.” His warm breath brushed across her ear.
She turned her face toward him, wanting nothing more than to touch her lips to his. He jerked back, his brow furrowed. His blue gaze roved over her then he shook his head as if dislodging a thought.
Perhaps a desire.
Blast it all! He wanted to kiss her, too. She could feel it. She held his gaze boldly, daring him to claim what he wanted.
He pressed the gloves into her hand. “We should go. Our party awaits us.”
Her nostrils flared as he retreated. He had done it again. Made her think he was going to kiss her and then walked away.
No, that wasn’t true! He had made her hope for his kiss.
“Why do you do that? Why do you refuse to kiss me?” The words flew from her before she could exercise restraint.
He faltered in his step and turned back toward her. He opened and closed his mouth several times before any sound escaped. “Did you truly ask why I refuse to kiss you?”
Yes, she had just humiliated herself beyond the pale. Patrice always said Vivi