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Both panting, both wanting, they could only just stare at each other, praying the door didn’t open. Whoever was outside would need to be blind not to see what was about to happen in this room.

“Judging by what almost just transpired, I think I more than proved my ability to teach you how to flirt, kitten.”

Jenny stood, trying to slow her breathing. She only nodded in agreement.

“So our agreement is still on?”

Again, she only nodded, the pink slowly disappearing from her cheeks. David could admit he missed seeing it.

“Come to my residence tomorrow night, and we’ll continue our first lesson.”

David turned to leave, but her breathy voice stopped him.

“Continue?”

He turned back to her with a smile. “Of course. You think you succeeded in learning how to adequately flirt because I almost kissed you?” he scoffed.

Jenny blinked at him, completely lost in the moment.

“My sweet kitten. That was all me—you just stood there.” He shook his head. “No, you need more lessons in the art of flirting. Trust me, when I’m done with you, it will be you in charge of the conversation, making the man putty in your hands, and it will behimhoping foryouto kiss him, not the other way around.”

The blush returned to her cheeks, and David inwardly congratulated himself. She was going to be quite the student.

CHAPTER 7

Jenny stood in front of the door, willing herself to knock. She tried convincing herself that her hands were shaking because of the evening chill, but she knew better. The truth was, the prospect of an evening alone with the Duke was wreaking havoc on her nervous system. With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure there were no stragglers on the street who would recognize her, she knocked on the door.

The door opened, and the Duke of Marlow stepped out of the shadows of the entryway. “Miss Bennett,” his voice rumbled. “So nice to see you standing outside my door instead of having to force you out from behind my bushes.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment.

Jenny blushed. She took a deep breath, refusing to let him get the better of her. “Must we start the night this way?”

The Duke grinned. “Ah, this is all part of the lesson, kitten. Men like to play with their food.”

Jenny’s eyes widened at his forwardness. “I, um… I honestly don’t know how to respond to that.”

“And that is where I come in,” he said with a devilish wink. He stood to the side and ushered her inside.

“I think we should start in the parlor.” He led her down the hallway as he continued. “We can pretend it’s the start of a dinner party, people are just coming in, and there are some drinks to lighten the mood and get everyone liquored up for what will most likely be a dull night of monotonous conversations.”

Jenny remained quiet at his side, listening to him set the scene. She risked a quick glance at him while he spoke. He seemed comfortable in his own space. The previous times she saw him out in public, he appeared to be closed off. But here, he was relaxed—chatty even.

“Forgive me, Your Grace, I didn’t realize you held many dinner parties.”

“I don’t. I do, however, attend quite a few, unfortunately. I’m usually brooding in a corner, waiting for the right time to make my excuses and leave. Most attendants of dinner parties are insufferable.”

Jenny looked at the table of light refreshments. “Yet, here you are, recreating the start of one for our amusement.”

The Duke swallowed. “There’s a big difference between a normal dinner party and this one.”

Jenny cocked her head. “And what is that?” she questioned.

The Duke’s eyes darkened as he looked at her. “I like the people who are at this one.”

His words caused a river of fire to course through her veins. She couldn’t hide her blush if she tried. She felt as if her whole body was engulfed in flames.

She took a few deep breaths to regain her composure.

The Duke sauntered towards her. “First things first, and this might be your most difficult hurdle to overcome.”