Page 17 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice tilted her head in confusion. The last one? She ran through the list in her head. She had just rewritten it this morning.

Kiss someone, the wild side of London, drinking and gambling. What one is he referring to?

Her eyes drifted down to the paper that he now held in front of him. Through the paper she could see her handwriting and although it was backwards she could see it as clear as day.

6. Fall in love

Her eyes widened in embarrassment.

“I have no intention of having you fall in love with me, Lady Beatrice.”

“No need to worry about that, Your Grace. I have no intention of falling in love with you or anyone, for that matter. It is not for me.”

She cringed.

Drat. Did I give my just give my reasoning away?

Graham shook his head and offered his hand.

“Do we have a deal, Lady Beatrice?”

Beatrice looked at his hand then back up to him.

“No.”

Graham clucked his tongue and lowered his hand. He picked up his glass and finished his drink.

“Come find me when you change your mind.” He started past her.

“You mean if I change my mind.” She said defiantly.

He stopped at her shoulder and leaned into her. His breath tickling her neck.

“When.”

Then he was gone.

CHAPTER 5

Ezra parried Frederic’s attack, using his shoulder to throw his friend off his weight. He turned and feigned to the right, opening Frederic up for Ezra to strike.

“Dueces. What has gotten into you, man?” Frederic bent over, resting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “Did I insult your honor?” He joked as he stood back up rubbing his side.

Ezra wiped the sweat from his brow as he walked over to where he had a pitcher of water.

“You always insult my honor.” Ezra taunted before taking a healthy gulp of water.

Frederic dragged himself from where they sparred to a chair by the table. “Seriously, Ezra, is something amiss? You’ve been extra,” he waved his sword back and forth, “stabby today.”

Ezra furrowed his brow. “I’m not extra stabby.” He said defensively. “I just have a lot on my mind and I needed to work out some stress.”

Frederic leaned back in the chair and extended his legs with a groan. “Can’t you find a nice willing woman to take it out on? I fear I’m getting too old to be on the receiving end of this particular stress reliever.”

Ezra clucked his tongue before pursuing his lips and adverting his eyes.

Frederic caught the movement and sat up.

“I know that look. Is there a woman?” He teased. “Please God, tell me there’s a woman. Harriet would love to see me return in one piece tonight.”