Page 132 of Never Beguile a Duke

Miss Fernsby-Webb chewed her lip. “You stare at me when you think no one is watching.”

He laughed. “Yes, I suppose I do. What else has your sister remarked upon?”

“She says that after I spend time with you, I glow.”

“I would like to witness that phenomenon,” he replied, eliminating the distance between them and crushing her body to his. “Is your sister expecting you to return to the drawing room anytime soon?”

“Probably…” Miss Fernsby-Webb wrinkled her nose. “Unless you require your fiancée’s presence.”

“I do,” Silas replied, wrapping his hand around hers and leading her toward the staircase. “For the remainder of this evening and most of tomorrow.”

“We’re departing tomorrow morning,” she said, stepping onto the first riser.

“Then, inform Miss Braddock, and her brother, that I intend to call upon you tomorrow afternoon and every day thereafter until our wedding.” Silas lifted Miss Fernsby-Webb’s hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her fingers. “I shall enjoy spending the next few months seducing you in inappropriate locations.”

“Your Grace!” Miss Fernsby-Webb gasped, glancing over her shoulder at the empty foyer. “If my sister heard you?—”

“She would demand the same of Roxburghe, and I’m quite certain,” Silas said, leaning in and lowering his voice, “that he would happily perform the request, if he isn’t already doing so.”

Miss Fernsby-Webb stopped and turned toward him, her teeth digging into her lip. “Are you certain this union is what you want? Not what’s best for Miss Juliette or what your friends expect of you, but what you, Silas Morton, Duke of Beaufort, truly desires?”

“When the sleigh flipped, and we were trapped beneath the heavy vehicle, I expected panic, blame, and tears. You did none of those things, and then, after we were rescued, you requested another ride.” He cupped her face. “Only a fool would squander an opportunity with you over a silly wager.”

“And you are not a fool,” she replied, winding her arms around his waist.

“I am not.” Grinning, he bent his head. “And I intend to spend my lifetime proving that to you.”

The End