Page 15 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

Yet, his lips hovered just out of reach.

She had a mad idea of flinging herself at him, of kissing him, of clinging to those biceps and feeling his strength as he laid her down on that bed. A curious flame overtook her, and she wanted to experience all the things she had ever heard about passion.

He leaned even closer to her. He was so near, and she seemed unable to move away. She even closed her eyes, waiting for it, longing to know what it would be like to kiss a man as wild as him.

Then the memory of that lord and lady she had just seen wrapped in one another’s arms came back to her.

I will not be that woman.

She suddenly pushed the Duke of Hardbridge away. He actually chuckled deeply as he fell back on the bed.

“You demon. I have never known a man as rude as you.” She stepped back, her hands in her hair as she realized with horror just how close she had come to breaking all the rules she preferred to bend. “How would any polite society accept you? How would any lady marry you?”

“Ye didn’t seem to mind me, lass. Ye closed yer eyes.” He looked up at her with a smirk. “Ye nearly kissed me.”

“You are the most annoying man I have ever met,” she hissed, taking another step back.

How was it that she felt so out of her depth around this man? She had never been so at a loss for words as she was with him!

“And ye are the boldest lass I have ever met.”

“Ah, enough,” she snapped as he stood up. She feared he would come close to her again.

Maybe it’s my response to him that I fear if he does…

“You asked for my help in finding you a wife, and you shall have it, but in order to do it, you will at least have to act like a gentleman.” She waved a hand up and down at him, then stood tall, trying to regain her composure. “I bet I can make you into an eligible gentleman after five simple lessons.”

“I bet I can seduce ye without behaving like a soft Englishman after five lessons, lass.”

“You are not seducing me!” she snapped.

“Fine, then, I’ll seduce any lass ye put in front of me.” He winked at her.

Determined not to find out how he would seduce her if she gave him the chance, she spun on her heel and marched toward the door.

“We’ll just see about that.”

CHAPTER 5

“You are actually thinking of racing?” Violet hissed in Celia’s ear.

“No, I’m not.” Celia shook her head as she stood with the other ladies in the stable yard.

Lady Arundel was clearly taking advantage of the sunny weather that day. She had arranged for the men to race their horses. Their final destination was to be the top of a nearby hill, where the ladies would be waiting for them with a picnic.

“Maybe I just don’t like the idea of being the prize they’re racing toward,” Celia whispered, prompting Violet to smile.

“I thought you loved a good race.”

“I do.”

Celia glanced toward the horses now being brought out of the stables as each man chose his horse. It was hardly a secret in her family that she loved to ride. More than once, Marianne complained that Celia was too wild in her riding.

Their father never seemed to mind too much. He preferred the outdoors himself to the company of the ton, but Marianne minded very much, indeed.

“You and that opera singer friend of yours?—”

“Miriam,” Celia reminded her sister.