Page 6

B eatrice stood with her heart beating in her head. The world spun around her as she watched the midnight stranger, this Duke of Graham, walk away from her. Colors and shapes blurred around her.

He had her list.

Reality crashed down on her when a hand grabbed hers. “Mama said you were dancing with the Duke of Graham but I didn’t believe it. Imagine my surprise when I look out and not only do I see you dancing with him, but enjoying yourself!”

Beatrice turned and tried to focus her eyes on her sister, Sarah. She shook her head. “I was not enjoying myself?” Beatrice tsked, ignoring the parts of her body that were still tingling from his touch.

Sarah tilted her head. “Well, when I arrived I heard him laugh, I’m sure the whole room did. Then your laugh…” Sarah stopped to look at her sister. “Beatrice? Are you well? You have the strangest look on your face?”

Beatrice was back to staring in the direction the Duke walked. “What? Oh. Yes. I’m fine.”

Sarah tried to step in front of her line of sight and Beatrice pushed her out of the way. “Actually, I need some air. Will you excuse me?”

She didn’t stay for Sarah’s response. Beatrice picked up her skirts and marched past the refreshment table and onto the veranda when the Duke was leaning on the railing with a glass in his hand. He was looking right at her with a blasted smile on his face.

“What do you mean you have my list?” She placed her hands on her hips to stop herself from swatting at him.

The Duke stood and set his glass down on the nearest table. “Would you care for a walk, Lady Beatrice? Perhaps where prying eyes are not?”

He nodded to a group of giggling girls in the corner of the veranda who were currently doing a piss poor job of pretending not to be eavesdropping.

Beatrice huffed and took a step closer, lowering her voice. “I’ve been alone with you previously and I wish not to repeat that mistake.”

Graham smiled a devilish grin. “Ah, something tells me you’re lying.”

Beatrice shifted her weight and crossed her arms over her chest. “How could you possibly know that I’m lying? You barely know me. This is only our third conversation.”

Ezra’s eyes drifted over to where the giggling girls had settled down and had now focused their attention on an equally annoying group of young men.

“You’d be surprised what I’ve gathered about you in the few moments I’ve had the pleasure to be in your company.”

His compliment shook Beatrice’s resolve. Why did he have to be so charming? She inhaled and pushed out the intrusive thoughts. She tried grabbing ahold of the anger that propelled her out here, but to her dismay, it was quickly dissipating.

“Regardless of any common traits you think you have picked up about me, the truth of the matter is you know nothing about my true intentions or desires.” She glanced at the girls who were now fully invested in the group of young men. Still, she lowered her voice again.

“You have my list, you know what’s on it, you were merely a checked box to me.” She lifted her nose in the air.

Graham chuckled. “You wound me, madam.” He said in mock jest.

Beatrice dropped her arms, suddenly feeling as if she was walking into a trap. “Don’t mock me.”

Graham held his hands up in defense. “I am not. You just have to remember, I was there last night.” He took a step closer and Beatrice’s eyes danced between the door to the ballroom and the gaggle of girls in the corner.

They were by no means alone however, since they weren’t alone, any behavior that could be described as untoward would be described as untoward.

She did not want to be tied to this infuriating man.

“Your point being?” She refolded her arms in defense. This man disrupted her senses, she never knew if she should attack or protect. With the current look in his eyes, she definitely felt the need to protect herself.

“I was as much a part of our kiss as you were. I felt your body heat under my touch.” His words were like soft velvet along her skin, causing her skin to to gooseflesh even in the warm summer afternoon air.

“I felt your tongue tangle with mine in the most delicious way imaginable. You can’t kiss like that if you didn’t feel something. ”

Beatrice’s blood ignited within her, sending fingers of fire licking up and down her body. She shifted on her feet, trying to calm the raging inferno that was taking over her mind, body, and soul.

Think, Beatrice! This is a game to him. Play that game. Come on! What would the heroine say in one of Sarah’s books?

Beatrice’s eyes lighted. “Well, if one can’t kiss that way without feeling a certain way, then we know that I affected you as well.”

She licked her lips as her body started to hum in triumph. He was not the only one who could throw someone off their game and cause a misstep. She was proving herself to be a worthy opponent of any man. If only her mother could see her.

The thought horrified her as her eyes darted to the door.

No. Mama should be nowhere near this conversation, both for her sake and mine!

Graham shook his slowly, seemingly in defeat.

Ha!

Beatrice’s back straightened as she relished in besting him in their little tête-à-tête.

“I could see how someone as naive as you would think that.” He started with a shrug.

Beatrice’s heart dropped as unease washed over her. He should be sulking, men hated when they were bested, especially by a woman. Isn’t that’s how it was supposed to be? Beatrice’s face went numb. Unless his body didn’t react to her as hers did his.

“You see, unlike you, I have done my fair share of kissing.” He said with a cocky grin.

“I know what women like and I know what I like. If I’m going to kiss someone, I’m going to do it for both parties enjoyment.

However,” he tucked his hands in his pockets as if they were discussing the weather and not scandalous behavior.

“I am experienced enough to be able to make the act enjoyable without the feelings that usually accompany the act to perform it pleasantly.”

Beatrice was lost. She shook her head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Graham laughed as he walked back to where he set his drink down. “Just because I kiss like I enjoy it does not mean I did. I’m just that good.” He lifted his shoulders in a smug shrug.

Beatrice’s eyes flashed before her skin heated with embarrassment. It was true that night was her first kiss, but as far as kissing went, she felt she did her part adequately. “You can try to hide behind experience, but you’re not that good.” Her pointed words did nothing to sully his good humor.

“That’s your na?veté talking.” He gestured to her with his glass.

Her hands balled into tight fists, so tight she could feel her nails digging into her palms. The audacity of this man! She refused to pout in front of him and give him more validation to his opinion of her but he was right. She was out of her league when it came to these matters.

It bothered her that he bothered her, that she felt embarrassment over her lack of experience. She knew she was ignorant to the more mature matters of womanhood, but that was why she had her list.

A list that this stranger currently had access to.

“Let us return to what brought me out here in the first place. You have something of mine and I want it back, with the promise that you will not mention it to anyone out of respect for my reputation.”

Beatrice hoped for her sake that the man had some sense of decency and would not spread word of her list of goals. Beads of sweat started to gather amongst her hairline at the thought of people reading what she wrote.

What would they think of me? What would Mama say?

Once again her eyes drifted to the door. Her mother would go into hysterics if she knew not only did her daughter have a list of scandalous behavior, but she was talking to a Duke about it.

If this morning’s conversation didn’t irrevocably change her view of her daughter, this conversation would.

Graham took a sip from his glass, his eyes scrutinizing her over its rim.

He licked his lips, a movement Beatrice couldn’t help but notice.

“No.” He said plainly.

Beatrice reared back. “What do you mean ‘no’? It is my list. You must at least destroy it. It is of no use to you.”

“Correction, it was your list. It’s now in my possession, therefore it is mine.”

Beatrice ran her hands down her face. “Possession has nothing to do with it. I wrote it, it’s mine. I demand you either give it back or you destroy it.”

The Duke snorted. “As a landowner, and a Duke, I can legally justify the claim of possession as ownership. Shall we consult a solicitor?” He teased.

Beatrice was losing patience with this conversation and thankfully, Graham must’ve sensed her frustration.

“I’ll give you your list back, and you have my word no one will find out its contents from me, but,” he held up a hand that quelled her excitement, “you need to answer a question first.”

Beatrice groaned. “Why must everything be a transaction with you?”

Graham smiled. “I’m a businessman. It’s what I do. Why must everything be an argument with you?” He countered.

Beatrice’s blood began to boil. Never had a man, or anyone for that matter, been able to get under her skin to the point of driving her to madness. She quite literally began to worry for her sanity.

Beatrice took a deep breath and pushed it out. “Fine.” She held out her arms to her side in question. “Ask your question.”

The Duke’s eyes lit up causing Beatrice to instantly regret her decision.

“There are some rather scandalous items on your list.” He started.

“Is that a question?” She deadpanned. This man was insufferable.

Graham rolled his lips. He knew he was getting to her and she hated that. She needed to be better at hiding her feelings, her facial expressions and body language always gave her away. It’s one of the reasons why she never played cards with her sisters.

“My question is why.”