Page 24 of A Duchess in Ten Days (Icy Dukes #2)

It didn't take long before David and Andrew quickly turned the simple game into a battle of wits and skill.

They ribbed each other with playful taunts, each determined to outperform the other.

Lavinia did her best to remain hiding, not getting caught once in three rounds.

Her goal was to not let anyone touch her, especially Andrew.

But then it was Andrew's turn again. Lavinia couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on her, even as the game resumed.

She had sensed it from the very start. His face had turned toward her as soon as the blindfold was on, a faint glimmer of amusement in his expression.

There was something deliberate in his movements now, as though he were purposely steering his steps closer to her.

Lavinia hugged the edge of the room, hoping that she was wrong and he not deliberately marking her footsteps. When he started getting too close to her again, she knew she had to move from the corner. But it was as though he had sensed her presence and within moments, his hand brushed her arm.

"Got you," he whispered triumphantly, holding on to both her elbows.

"You have to tell us who it is," David announced.

Andrew tilted his head. "The only person that smells like wild roses in this room is my wife. It's her signature scent."

Lavinia froze, her breath catching in her throat as she looked up at him. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stilled, and all she could focus on was the warmth of his voice and how intensely his words hit her. She loved roses, and he’d noticed that.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt out of breath. Perhaps, it was because he was blindfolded, but it was easy to study his face. To bask in the warmth of the moment without feeling overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.

Her fingers, almost of their own accord, reached up, hesitating for just a moment before gently tracing the line of his arm. She felt the tautness of his veiny hands, the warmth of his skin. His smile slowly waned, but that was the only reaction she got from him. He didn't move.

Slowly, her hand traveled upwards, gliding over the sharp curve of his bicep, to his shoulder, then to his jawline.

Lavinia wasn't sure where the confidence came from, but she was grateful for it.

It was then, Andrew took a step forward, his breathing labored as he tightened his grip on her arm.

She paused, her fingers lingering for just a breathless second on the smoothness of his cheek, feeling the faint warmth radiating from him.

His breath hitched at her touch, and for a fleeting moment, the space between them felt impossibly small. It was as if everything around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in that quiet, intimate moment.

Andrew let out a soft exhale, and without another word, he reached up to remove his blindfold. As it came off, he was met with the tender weight of her hand still resting on his cheek. His eyes locked with hers, the intense blue of his gaze sending a shiver down her spine.

Lavinia's heart raced in her chest, and her breath came out in a soft gasp.

Her fingers remained, almost involuntarily, still resting against his cheek.

Lavinia could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears, and she wondered if he could hear it too, if he could feel the same electric tension that sparked between them with every breath.

"Perhaps, we should retire for the evening, Emma."

David's voice cut through the moment, sharp and startling, jolting them both back to reality.

Lavinia's hand withdrew instinctively from Andrew's cheek and her fingers curled at her sides, betraying the sudden rush of nervous energy that swirled in her stomach.

She turned her gaze away, unable to keep the flicker of uncertainty from her eyes as she looked anywhere but at him.

Andrew, too, took a step back, his posture straightening, though his gaze lingered on her for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. He cleared his throat, as if to regain composure.

"We should call it a night," Emma said.

"I think that's a wise idea," Andrew concurred. "Good night, everyone."

Everyone scattered in different directions, making their way to their rooms. Lavinia walked with her head down, fully aware of the color of her cheeks and how it gave away the fact that Andrew had made her feel things that should not be felt in public.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Lavinia turned quickly, her heart racing from the shock. She pressed a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. "Emma! You startled me," she said, her voice a little breathless.

Emma gave her a knowing smile, crossing the path to stand beside her. "I went to your room, but when you weren't there, I knew exactly where you'd be." She glanced around at the garden, taking in the view of it. "I knew you would be here, among the plants."

"I came to check on them," she explained softly, looking down at the carefully pruned flowers and shrubs. “The gardener's been doing a good job, but I wanted to see for myself if they're growing properly."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Is that really the only reason you came out here, Lavinia?"

"I...couldn't sleep," she admitted, her voice softer now. "The house is too quiet, and my thoughts kept racing. The garden seemed like the only place where I could think clearly."

"So, it has nothing to do with what happened in the drawing room?" Emma asked gently.

Lavinia's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the moment between her and Andrew. She quickly turned her gaze to the flowers, trying to collect herself. "I...I'm not sure," she replied, her voice faltering. "Maybe. I just...don't know."

Emma took a step forward. "Lavinia, I saw the way you were looking at him and from where I stood, you seemed like a woman in love."

Lavinia opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, unsure of how to explain the complicated mess of feelings swirling inside her. She wanted to protest, to tell Emma that it wasn't true. That she didn't have feelings for Andrew.

But that was a lie, and deep down, she knew it.

"I'm not sure Emma," she admitted quietly. "Everything is so...confusing."

Emma audibly gasped. "Oh, my goodness! Lavinia!"

Lavinia groaned, her head falling into her hands. "Please don't make this dramatic, Emma."

Emma grinned mischievously. "Dramatic? Me? I'm just pointing out the obvious! You're standing in a garden at night, talking about the duke, and you have no idea how you feel? That's drama with a capital ‘D,' my dear."

Lavinia shot her a sharp look but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "It's not funny," she muttered, her cheeks flushing a little at how true Emma's observation was.

"Oh, but it is! You're practically glowing. You don't have to tell me you're confused. I can see it in your eyes. You're in deep, Lavinia."

Lavinia's mouth opened, then closed again, unsure how to respond. Instead, she gave Emma an exasperated look. "I can't just fall in love with him, Emma. He's the duke. I'm...I'm nothing like him."

Emma shrugged, nonchalantly. "Nothing like him?

You have more in common than you think. You're both stubborn, both have a good head on your shoulders.

" Emma tilted her head thoughtfully, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Lavinia.

"You know, I remember you saying you could never love him.

How he was a rake, and he wasn't the kind of man you could spend the rest of your life with.

Would you look at how tables have turned. "

"Stop it," Lavinia muttered, feeling her face heat up again. "You're ridiculous."

Emma giggled, nudging her playfully. "Ridiculous? I'm simply pointing out the obvious, my dear. You're falling for him. And you don't need to apologize for it. He's your husband!"

Lavinia hesitated, then let out a resigned sigh. "I don't even know if I'm ready to feel this way about him. It's all so fast, so overwhelming."

"Well," Emma said, tilting her head with a sly grin. "Maybe it's time you let yourself be overwhelmed. You've been trying to control everything for so long. Letting go could be exactly what you need."

Lavinia rolled her eyes. "So now you're turning into some sort of romantic sage?"

Emma winked. "Why not? You've got to trust me. I know the signs. And trust me, the signs are telling me that you are head over heels in love with him."

Lavinia laughed softly, despite herself. "You're absolutely impossible."

Emma smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know. But I'm right, aren't I?"

Lavinia bit her lip, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Maybe. I have to think about it."

With Emma's words echoing in her mind, she realized that things weren't as simple as she had once believed. Her heart fluttered when he was near, and there were moments when his touch, his words, made her feel things she had never expected.

Was it love? She didn't know.

But there was something there, something undeniable.

What she needed was time to sort through the storm of emotions.

..to understand the truth of her feelings.

Lavinia wasn't ready to face it yet. Too many unanswered questions clouded her thoughts.

All she knew for sure was that she had to think about it, to be certain of what was real.

And to decide if she could even afford to love a man like Andrew without getting hurt.