Page 56 of A Virgin for the Rakish Duke

It does not matter. She only needs to play her part, and I mine.

Did he still suspect that Harriet was in league with Simon Winchester? He could not see what she would gain by such an alliance, but equally could not discount the possibility. It gave him some disquiet to think, though. She was handsome, extraordinarily so. She made his heart race and his breath catch. No woman of those he had taken as lovers had inflamed his senses the way she did.

Put it from your mind. Put aside the art. Put aside the woman. All that matters is the El Dorado…

But that ambition, which had once been able to keep him awake at night, now seemed pale and unfulfilling. He scowled at the feeling of emptiness that came with the thought that he and Harriet would never be lovers again.

“Can you not answer?” Harriet asked.

Jeremy started, realizing that she had been speaking, but he had been so lost in thought that he had not heard. He was gazing down the street but not seeing what was in front of him. His eyes were turned inward.

“I am sorry, I did not hear the question,” he replied.

Harriet followed the line of his gaze to where Eloise tossed her coal black hair, revealing a long, pale neck. Her eyes were fluttering back to Jeremy as she did so.

“What changed your feelings towards her?” she asked.

“Being caught by the Winchesters and the Duke of Chelmsford, of course, and being forced to lie about you being my fiancée,” he said, simply.

“But that would not change your desire for her, surely?”

“Evidently, it did, because I no longer feel for her what I once did.”

He looked down at Harriet, feeling the tug of her emerald eyes, so bright and intelligent. She had hair as dark as Eloise's, an attribute he was particularly drawn to. But Harriet's pale skin was luscious, her curves capable of making his mouth water. Eloise simply did not seem as alluring.

“You are looking hard at a woman you ostensibly have no feeling for,” Harriet muttered.

“I am not looking at her,” Jeremy replied.

The look that Harriet gave him was disparaging. She gave a sad smile and a slight shake of the head, lengthening her stride.

“I may have been looking in her direction, but my mind was elsewhere,” he protested after her.

He realized that he was trying to justify himself to Harriet and clamped his mouth shut, refusing to allow himself another moment of weakness.

“Of course,Your Grace,” she murmured drily, “and your feelings for her vanished in a moment for no reason too. I understand.”

Jeremy refused to be baited into hurrying to catch up to her. Harriet had reached the carriage, which he had instructed to wait at the church. The driver helped her in and held the door open for Jeremy.

“It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Your Grace,” Eloise purred.

She stepped out of the shadow of the lych-gate. Of Simon Winchester, there was no sign.

“Likewise, I'm sure,” Jeremy replied with a formal bow.

“I should very much like a more private audience with you soon. We did discuss it in our... correspondence, after all.”

“I'm afraid I am very busy since the Chelmsford ball. As I'm sure you are aware. Lord Simon seems to know all about my business.”

“He talks of little else. It is rather tedious. I did not believe you to be so dull,” the French lady sighed dramatically, putting a hand to Jeremy's arm.

Jeremy felt cold to the contact, only able to think that it was not Harriet's touch. Part of Harriet's allure was that she did not throw herself at him. She was fierce when roused, but neverwanton in her behavior prior. Once upon a time, a woman as forward as Eloise would have his blood up. Now, he was… indifferent.

“I'm afraid I am probably as dull as Lord Simon then. Now, if you would excuse me?”

He bowed again and turned to the carriage.

“How is Lord Ralph, Your Grace? Has he finally returned to Oaksgrove?” Eloise suddenly called out.