Lily and the Duke by Helen Hardt Read Free Book Online Page B

mean to frighten you.” Daniel edged toward her slowly.
    “Your Grace, I came up here to see your painting. I-I…apologize for any part I may have played in this…mistake. I…”
    “It’s not a mistake. None of it has been a mistake. Please don’t back away from me.”
    “I…” She couldn’t finish.
    He stood close to her, staring at her with those wonderful eyes. As if it had a mind of its own, her hand shakily reached up to his honey locks, smoothing them. God, his hair was beautiful. It was the color of burnished gold, with highlights of amber, brown, and just a few silvery strands near his temples. It felt like raw silk beneath her fingers.
    She snatched her hand away. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be sorry.” He took her hand. “You can touch me. I want you to touch me.”
    She pulled her hand away. “No, I can’t. I…need to leave. Thank you, Your Grace, for showing me the Vermeer. I’ll never forget it. It was one of the most precious things anyone has ever done for me.” She turned toward the door.
    Daniel touched her arm lightly. “Please don’t go,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Will you have lunch with me? I’ll have a tray sent up.”
    “It’s not lunchtime.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. His warmth pressed against her back. “Please, you must let me go.”
    “Do you want to go?”
    “I want…”
    She trembled as he placed his hands on her shoulders. She wanted him. She couldn’t help herself. Something about this beautiful, dangerous man called to her in a way she never thought possible. Unfamiliar emotion and desire flooded her body, her soul. She wanted more of his kisses. She wanted his hands on her skin…her bare skin.
    She turned to face him. “I don’t know why you want me,” she said, willing her voice not to crack. “I’m likely to be a frightful bore for you.”
    His green eyes sparkled. “Love, there is nothing boring about you.”
    “What I mean is…for a man of your experience…an untried maiden would be…”
    He chuckled softly.
    “Damn it, you know what I mean!”
    “Lily, I want you . I’ve never wanted a woman this much.” He crushed her to him and inhaled. “God, you smell good. What scent is that? I’ve never smelled anything like it before.”
    “It…it’s just clove oil,” Lily said, escaping from his grasp. “I get it from the apothecary. I can’t abide those expensive French perfumes. They make me feel like a powder puff. So I just dab a little clove oil…”
    He chuckled again, the skin around his eyes crinkling.
    “What is so funny?”
    “Nothing. I’m sorry. You’re just…you’re not like any other woman I’ve known.”
    “I should hope not.” She tapped her foot. “Likely the women you’re acquainted with are mostly strumpets.”
    “Touché. Perhaps it’s time I elevated my standards a bit.”
    “And…you want to elevate them with me?”
    “God, more than anything.”
    “Then you should know,” she said, her pulse racing, “I-I’m not like most women my age. I want different things. I’m looking forward to the coming season about as much as a case of the pox. I have no desire to marry, as I have little use for men.”
    Daniel’s full pink lips curved into a half smile. “I wasn’t proposing marriage, love.”
    Lily’s skin heated. “Of course not. I didn’t mean to imply that you were.”
    “As for your feelings about men—” He winked. “Is it that you prefer the fairer sex?”
    Clearly the duke expected to embarrass her. She was quite aware of the writings of Sappho and others and knew some women and men preferred the same sex for intimacy. Lily was inexperienced, yes, but not naïve. She let out a husky giggle. “No, Your Grace. I assure you I have even less use for women. I can’t abide the bubbleheaded idiots who fawn at my brother’s feet, and at yours.”
    Daniel laughed softly. “I see, then. If you don’t want a season or marriage, what do you want, Lily?”
    She