Page 36 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

“That wasn’t being warm.” She blushed scarlet. “That was something more heated.” She dabbed at her neck distractedly as she finished the bread.

He chuckled, rather liking the way she described it. “I can distract ye by talking about such kisses if ye like?”

“No. We shan’t do that.”

“Ah, I see ye are intent on forgetting the fact that ye kissed me first.”

“You are insufferable.” She turned on the bed and reached for a carved box on the bedside table. She handed it to him. “Open it.”

“What is it?”

“Something we can do to pass the time.”

He opened the box, feeling rather surprised when he found a chess set inside.

“Chess?” He raised his eyebrows.

“If I must be confined to my bedchamber whilst the dizziness passes, then I might as well spend the time learning more about the mysterious Scottish Duke before me.” She wiggled her eyebrows rather mischievously.

Keith stiffened. He had little intention of revealing much of himself to Celia. What they had shared was indeed a thrill. He was getting to the point of finding his infatuation with her undeniable. After all, sitting close to her, when she was wearing so little, was making his trousers particularly uncomfortable. Yet, sharing something intimate with her? Secrets? No. He had no intention of doing such a thing.

He shifted the food tray to the side and opened the chess set, laying out the pieces.

“I’ll play chess with ye. That’s the only game I’ll play.”

“Come on, Your Grace. Would you deny a bored woman a little distraction?” She tilted her head to the side.

It was a great distraction, for a curl of her red hair was now teasing her neck.

He had an errant idea of following that curl with his lips, trailing hot kisses down the curve of her neck.

“A little distraction, perhaps,” he whispered, halting and looking at her with narrowed eyes.

She chuckled and reached toward the pieces.

“How about this?” she whispered, moving one of the pawns forward. “For every piece of yours I take, you must answer a question of mine, and you must answer it honestly.”

“Ah.” He grimaced at the idea.

“I get the impression you don’t tell many people your secrets,” she whispered as he reached for another pawn and pushed it forward. “Do we have a deal?”

“Perhaps.”

He may not like the idea, but as she leaned forward, her dressing gown slipped a little down her shoulder, revealing more of hercleavage. The swell of her breasts was such a temptation that he felt that large panther inside him purring once again.

“If we must play this game, then I shall at least make it to my advantage.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

He lifted one of his pawns, about to take one of hers, when he hesitated.

“When I take one of your pieces, you must take off an item of clothing.”

“What?”

“Ye heard me, sweetheart.”

“Would you really take advantage of an ill person that way?” She waved her hands at her bedridden self.