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“I learned when I was a youth, but I have not had much chance to practice after,” he answered, winking. “Perhaps now I can put my skills to good use, since I have such a beautiful partner.”

She blushed, shaking her head at his playfulness.

If anyone had told her that they would someday tease each other, she would never have believed them, but as she danced with him, holding his gaze and returning his small smiles, she knew she certainly wanted more than just friendship with him.

He spun her again, pulling her close to him, and all she could think of was what should come after such a marvelous outing.

Were she the heroine of a novel, she would have seduced him with her eyes and hands, and once they returned home, she would entice him to pleasure her, but she had yet to master those skills.

“And what has my wife looking so glum?” the Duke asked suddenly.

“It is nothing,” she answered quickly, averting her gaze.

He had a knack for sensing when she was lying simply by looking into her eyes. It was how he had beaten her at cards and coaxed some secrets she would have taken to her grave out of her.

“You and I know that is not true,” he pressed. “Tell me.”

She shook her head. “There are some matters even I must keep from you,” she told him. “And it is not because I do not trust you, but because they are embarrassing to discuss.”

“I will not judge you,” he assured her.

“I know that, but…”

“Tell me, Eveline,” he urged.

She bit her lip, knowing well she was going to tell him. She hated the way he made her name sound so exotic. Hated how muchit weakened her to refuse any request he made. Hated how he knew she would give in and how she was powerless to resist him.

“I know we are now somewhat friends, but I won’t share every thought I have with you.” She frowned.

“You consider us friends?” he asked incredulously.

“Well, yes,” she answered, nodding. “Wouldn’t you describe us so?”

“Friends?” he asked again, his face contorting as though he had eaten a lemon.

“Yes, friends.” She frowned. “Why are you so fixated on the word?”

“It is nothing.” He quickly changed the topic. “Let us go back to solving your problem.”

Now, who is hiding their thoughts?

She groaned, rolling her eyes.

“Will you promise not to embarrass me?” she asked.

“Embarrass you? Why ever would I?”

“You might find what I have to say absurd.”

“I still would not embarrass you.”

She sighed. “All right. I have been wishing I was the heroine of a novel.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked like he wanted to laugh, but he schooled his features at her glare.

“Explain.”

“I was thinking about how after such a successful outing, the male protagonist would be thoroughly seduced by the female protagonist and would ravish her in some part of this estate where they are likely to be caught,” she said in one breath, not meeting his eyes.