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Horrified, she stepped back and covered her mouth. “Your Grace! I am so sorry!”

What was happening to her? She had no idea the hand on his shoulder had made its way up to his neck to play with the hair that curled just over his collar. What if she had done that in public?

David didn’t hide his smile as he gathered her back into his arms. “No need for apologies, kitten. Again, I did tell you to do that if the moment felt right. It felt right,” he said with a shrug.

Jenny was still beside herself. “I wasn’t even thinking. One minute I’m listening to you talk, and the next my hand is in your hair. I’m so embarrassed.”

He resumed the dance. “Again, if this dance was happening at an actual ball and I was having an enjoyable conversation with a lady, and her fingers touched my hair or neck, I would have to be a complete imbecile not to know her interest. You want men toknow you’re interested in them? You need to show them you’re interested. You did just that.”

Jenny huffed. This didn’t feel appropriate. She couldn’t see herself doing that with another man.

“Did you make yourself move your hand?”

She looked up at David. “No. It was like it had a mind of its own.”

“So you were comfortable, you read my body language, and something in your brain made your hand move. Did you feel me tense up under your touch?”

Jenny nodded.

“Exactly. Again, we’re simple beings. We work in the realms of ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ A man would be quick to tell you if you go too far. Although I don’t know a man alive who wouldn’t appreciate that move from you.”

Jenny laughed. “I can definitely name a few.”

David’s eyes darkened, and she wondered if she said the wrong thing.

“Did I say something that upset you, Your Grace?”

David snapped himself out of wherever his thoughts had taken him.“No, I’m sorry. I got distracted for a moment.”

He pulled away from her and rubbed his hands on his trousers.

“Millie?” He looked over to the pianoforte. “That’s all for tonight, thank you.”

Jenny looked at him in confusion. “Are we done for tonight?”

David waved her off. “No, we can continue our lesson in the parlor.”

He turned and walked out of the room.

Jenny sighed. Something offended him, and she was going to figure out this man even if it was the last thing she did.

David walked into the parlor and right to the bar to pour himself a shot of whisky. His mind was racing with images of Jenny dancing with other men, touching other men. He was seeing red. He needed to calm down before he touched her again, or he would do something they both would most likely regret.

Why was it only now dawning on him that the lessons he was giving her were for her benefit with other men? He was becoming too attached to her.

Downing his whisky and quickly pouring himself another, he once again reminded himself that she was off-limits to him.

Jenny pushed through the door. He took in the blush on her cheeks and the rise and fall of her chest.

Uh oh, the kitten has her claws out.Good.

“What has gotten into you? I cannot keep up with your mood swings.”

She crossed her arms in front of her, unconsciously pushing up her breasts. David threw back his whisky to give himself time to collect his thoughts.

“My apologies, that was rude of me.” He put his tumbler down on the bar and approached her. “I just thought that since you obviously mastered the slight touch while dancing, we should focus on other ways you can show your interest in a man.”

Jenny stood for a moment, studying him. “Well, next time feel free to show a little more decorum and not just storm away.”