Page 60 of His Duchess' Mischief

“You look… acceptable,” he said, clenching his jaw as she gave that high, lilting laugh he loved.

She stopped at the bottom of the steps and plucked the kitten from his fingers. “If you had not picked her up, she would not have covered you in hair.”

“I did notpick her up; she climbed me against my will.”

Alicia held the kitten in the crook of her arm as she brushed the hair from Seth’s shoulders, and then, unwittingly, from his legs. Her fingers brushed the falls of his breeches, and he clenched his fists tightly at his sides.

He stepped back quickly, half-mast and not wishing for her to see it. “We should go.”

Alicia nodded, turning to her maid and handing her the kitten.

“What is that creature’s name?” Seth asked.

“I have not decided yet. Any ideas?”

Seth narrowed his eyes at the little thing as it mewed at him.

“Menace,” he suggested.

Alicia looked scandalized.

“Do not listen to him,” she said in a babyish voice, stroking the kitten as the maid cradled it. “He is just jealous that you get more attention than him.”

That is certainly true when you’re stroking it like that.

“We arelate,Alicia. Will you stop dawdling?” he muttered.

Alicia stopped stroking the cat, turning to him in surprise, and Seth felt a rush of heat surge through him as her eyes connected with his. He had called her ‘Alicia’ for the first time. It felt strange on his tongue, but not unwelcome.

She could be anyone’s duchess, but she is my Alicia.

He held out a hand automatically, and as soon as she took it, he was reminded of their argument in the garden and the moment their hands had touched.

Suddenly, he was achingly hard in his breeches, and he hurriedly led the way out of the house, waving the butler away so he was not seen in such a state.

They reached the carriage, and he handed her inside while running his eyes over her figure.

Lord, she is stunning. I cannot get enough of her.

Seth climbed in after her, convincing himself that lusting after her would not be problematic. He was only a man, and he enjoyed women as much as the next thing. It did not mean that he wasenamoredwith her.

Still, as he settled in the seat across from her, he was achingly hard and attempted to distract himself.

“Where did that kitten come from?” he asked. “Did you find her in a barrel on the grounds?”

Alicia sighed. “No, my friend Bridget sent her to me. I have always loved cats.”

“And whatwillyou name her?”

Alicia’s gaze met his, and he had a difficult time remaining in his seat.

If I push my hand beneath that dress and pleasure her before we arrive, no one will be any the wiser.

His hands gripped the seat tightly as she cocked her head, considering his question.

“I thought about ‘Ghost,’ but that is a male name. Perhaps ‘Snow.’ She is so pure and beautiful.”

Seth’s eyes moved over her hair, the sparkling diamonds catching the light of the candle that hung from the carriage ceiling.