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Frederick shot her a look, clearly not used to such casual conversation, but there was now a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I do not indulge often,” he said gruffly.

Gemma smirked. “Oh, come now. Everyone has a favorite. Even you.”

Frederick sighed as though indulging her curiosity was a great burden. “Very well. Lemon tarts.”

“Lemon tarts?” Gemma echoed, surprised. “I would not have guessed that.”

“Why not?”

She grinned, biting into another pastry. “Because you always seem so… serious. I would have thought something dark and bitter, something with coffee or dark chocolate.”

Frederick’s gaze flicked to her, his dark blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Do I really seem so severe?”

Gemma raised an eyebrow. “Yes,” she said plainly, though there was a teasing note in her voice. “But lemon tarts? That’s… almost sweet.”

Frederick gave a low chuckle, a sound so rare that it made Gemma’s heart skip a beat. “I have my moments,” he said, his voice softer now.

As Gemma nibbled on another pastry she glanced up at Frederick, who was still lounging in his chair, his eyes steadily fixed upon her. His earlier frustration had melted away, leaving behind an air of quiet intrigue. For the first time since they’d been locked in together, his deportment seemed softer and more approachable.

“You know,” he began, his voice low, “you have questionable taste in sweets.”

Gemma raised her eyebrows in mock offense and laughed softly. “Questionable? You wound me, Your Grace. These pastries are delightful, and I happen to think that I have excellent taste.”

Frederick gave a slow, teasing smirk. “You are choosing the ones with the most sugar and cream. You will be bouncing off the walls by the end of the evening.”

“And you are only selecting the lemon tarts,” Gemma retorted, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “The most serious dessert for the most serious man. How fitting.”

Frederick shook his head, his lips twitching as if he was trying to suppress a smile. “Serious? Perhaps. But at least I do not consume half a tray of sweets like a child.”

Gemma leaned forward, narrowing her eyes playfully. “I will have you know, Your Grace, that I take my sweets very seriously.”

Frederick chuckled, a rich, deep sound that sent a ripple of warmth through the room.

It was the first time she had heard him laugh freely, and it surprised her. She was not used to seeing him relaxed and enjoying himself. His usual brooding and imposing demeanor had faded, revealing a man capable of humor and lightness.

“And here I was thinking you did not know how to smile, let alone laugh,” Gemma teased, her voice lilting as she leaned a little closer. “I did not think it was possible.”

Frederick’s eyes sparkled with amusement, a hint of challenge. “Careful, Miss Bradford. You are dangerously close to mockery.”

She laughed, her heart racing a little faster as their banter became more intimate.

“Oh, I would notdareto mock a duke,” she replied, her tone filled with faux innocence. “That would beterriblyimproper.”

Frederick tilted his head, his smirk deepening. “You arealreadyterribly improper, Gemma.”

She felt a jolt of surprise at hearing him use her first name so casually. He had never called her that before; not with such ease and familiarity. It felt intimate and personal, and sent a flush of warmth through her body.

She swallowed, her playful demeanor faltering as the mood between them altered.

“Well, I have been accused of worse,” she said lightly, trying to keep the ambience playful, although her voice came out a little more breathless than she had intended.

Frederick’s gaze darkened, his eyes trailing over her face and lingering on her lips for a fraction of a second too long. Their teasing began to develop a sensual, more dangerous edge.

Gemma’s heart thudded in her chest as the space between them seemed to shrink, even though neither one of them had moved.

She smiled, trying to regain some control of the situation, though her pulse was racing. “You should smile more often,” she said softly. “It suits you.”

Frederick’s eyes remained locked on hers, the corner of his mouth curving up ever so slightly.