Page 4 of Beguiling the Duke
Then he remembered where they were, and how many people might be watching. He set Lizzie on her feet and looked around, but was relieved to see the others had continued walking back toward the town square. Offering his arm, he simply said, “Come, let’s rejoin the others,” and led her back to the carriages.
Part of him wanted to offer her a ride in his carriage, where they could be alone. Part of him wanted to abscond with her to his country house, which was only an hour or so away, where they could be truly alone, and comfortable in a bed, not on a rocking carriage bench. But he couldn’t do that to her. That vulnerability he sensed in her meant she might give her body willingly enough, but in the end, she’d expect something in return. Something he wasn’t willing to give.
His heart.
The first rays of sunlight pierced the heavy, velvet drapes, casting a golden glow throughout Lizzie’s bedchamber. She stirred, feeling the lingering warmth of last night’s passionate encounter with Matthew still coursing through her veins. It was only a kiss, she reminded herself. But such a kiss! With a sigh, she drew back the curtains to reveal a world transformed; a blanket of snow enveloped the estate, glistening like a thousand diamonds under the sun’s gentle touch.
“Marvelous,” she whispered to herself, her breath fogging the windowpane as a smile tugged at her lips. Today held the promise of laughter and merriment, which should brighten the already festive atmosphere of the gathering.
As Lizzie descended the grand staircase, she could already hear the excited chatter of the Earl of St. Ervan’s guests preparing for an impromptu snowball fight on the grounds. She returned to her room for outer garments and joined them, bundled in her warmest pelisse and gloves.
“Ah, Lady Elborough!” Lord St. Ervan exclaimed, his eyes twinkling beneath the brim of his top hat. “You look positively radiant this morning. Are you prepared for the great battle?”
“Yes,” Lizzie replied, her gaze darting across the gathering crowd until it landed on Matthew, who stood at the edge of the lawn, watching her intently. “I am more than ready.”
“Excellent,” the earl said, clapping his hands together. “Let the games begin!”
With a flurry of snow and laughter, the combatants took their positions. Lizzie found herself facing off against Matthew, their respective teams flanking them on either side. The tension that had built between them the previous evening now gave way to playful rivalry, their banter light and teasing.
“Prepare to meet your snowy doom, Your Grace,” Lizzie called out, scooping up a handful of snow and expertly shaping it into a perfectly round sphere.
“Is that a challenge, Lady Elborough?” Matthew shot back, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief. “You may be a formidable opponent, but I assure you, I have no intention of surrendering.”
“Bold words,” Lizzie retorted, her pulse quickening at the sight of his roguish grin. “But actions speak louder.”
With that, she launched her snowball through the air, watching in delight as it collided with Matthew’s shoulder. He feigned a look of shock, rubbing the spot where the icy projectile had struck him before retaliating with a well-aimed throw of his own.
“Come on, Lady Elborough,” Matthew called out with a grin. “Is that the best you’ve got?”
Lizzie’s eyes sparkled as she returned fire. “I’ll have you know I was quite the shot in my youth.”
“Ah, but can you handle the Duke of Teversham?” Matthew teased, ducking behind a snowbank.
As the battle raged on, Lizzie and Matthew became increasingly focused on each other, their flirtatious banter growing more intense with each exchanged volley. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them locked in a dance of snow and stolen glances.
“Your aim is impressive,” Matthew conceded, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “I must admit, I did not expect such prowess from a lady of your station.”
“Never underestimate a widow, Your Grace,” Lizzie replied, her voice laced with equal parts amusement and defiance. “We are full of surprises.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” Matthew murmured, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “And I find myself most intrigued by those surprises.”
The snowball fight continued, a whirlwind of laughter, icy projectiles, and secret smiles shared between Lizzie and Matthew. Their connection, forged in the embers of last night’s passionate kiss, now blossomed amid the frosty winter wonderland, hinting at the tantalizing possibility of something deeper, something molten.
She squatted and formed a small pile of snowballs to have plenty of ammunition at hand for her next assault.
“Lady Elborough?” The duke spoke from only a few feet away.
Lizzie’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. There was something about him that made her feel alive again, something that had been missing since her husband’s death. Something that her numerous lovers hadn’t filled. She looked up to see Matthew grinning down at her, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Gotcha,” he said softly, before tossing a loose snowball at her face.
Lizzie laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her body that wasn’t fast enough to counter the icy snow on her cheeks. As they engaged in more playful teasing and gentle touches, she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to kiss him again, to feel his lips on hers.
But she pushed the thought aside, given their location, the number of people playing in the area, and the cold snow everywhere.
“Truce?” Matthew asked, holding out his gloved hand.
Lizzie smiled, taking his hand in hers. “Truce,” she agreed, feeling a sense of contentment settle over her.