Lyonsdale arched his brow, appearing every inch the aristocrat he was. ‘So I shall be the one to hold the book?’
‘You are the man. I thought it was your chivalrous obligation to hold the book while I read.’
‘But I am a duke, so I thought you would be holding the book for me,’ he said with amusement in his eyes.
‘Yes, but I am an American. We believe that every man is created equal.’
His gaze raked her body. ‘But you are not a man.’
‘You’ve noticed.’
‘It has not escaped my notice.’
Katrina found the room suddenly quite warm, and she smiled at him through her lashes.
He gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘Very well. I will be your chivalrous bookstand.’
She handed him the first book of the three-volume edition. ‘I will be very grateful.’
‘Will you show me how grateful?’
‘What did you have in mind? I could make you more tea?’
‘Not exactly what I was thinking.’
‘I shall have biscuits sent up.’
By the time Wilkins arrived with a plate of biscuits Katrina was leaning over the armrest of the settee, her chin almost resting on Lyonsdale’s shoulder. The Duke was actually reclining back on the sofa in a most inelegant pose, with his legs crossed. Their heads were almost touching and they were reading from the same book, completely unaware of the butler’s presence.
The two engrossed readers remained that way for over an hour. When they finally stopped reading for the day Lyonsdale closed the book and stared straight ahead, chewing his lower lip. It was proving impossible for Katrina to take her eyes off that soft skin.
‘I must confess I have never read anything quite like that in my life,’ he commented, still appearing very relaxed in his reclined pose.
He twisted his head towards her and she rushed her gaze up to meet his. There was a twinkle in his green eyes, and she was positive he had caught her pining for his lips.
‘Have you?’ he asked.
‘Hmm...’ she managed to utter thoughtfully, not having any notion of what he’d said.
Lyonsdale grinned. ‘I asked if you’d ever read anything like this. I certainly haven’t.’
‘No, I’ve haven’t either. Thank you for purchasing it for me.’
The rain still pelted against the windowpanes and the room echoed with the soft ticking of the mantel clock. He leaned his head closer to her.
Oh, dear, he was going to kiss her!
Katrina’s breath caught in her throat and she spun her head towards Meg.
Her wonderfully discreet maid still appeared engrossed in her needlework.
‘Meg, perhaps you would like to get some tea for yourself,’ she called out.
Raising her head from her mending, Meg shifted her gaze between her mistress and the Duke. She had been Katrina’s maid since Katrina was fifteen and Meg twenty-six. They had been together almost ten years, and Katrina knew her well enough to see that Meg wasn’t certain if she should leave Katrina alone with Lyonsdale.
Katrina gave her an encouraging nod and Meg placed her mending aside and slowly stood.
‘I will not be long,’ Meg said, curtsying and leaving the room without closing the door.
When Katrina turned back to Lyonsdale she noticed his satisfied grin. ‘I simply sent her for some tea because she has been sitting by that window for hours. She needed a respite.’
He raised both his hands. ‘I did not say a word.’
‘Would you care for more tea?’
His gaze dropped to her lips. ‘What I really want is to kiss you before your maid returns.’
Pointing her finger at him, Katrina let out an exasperated breath. ‘I did not send her away so you could kiss me.’
His brow wrinkled in confusion. ‘You truly do not want me to kiss you?’
She should never have sent Meg away. Lyonsdale was much too charming. Kissing him would be a great mistake. They had no future together. What if his kisses made her lose her breath? What would she do then?
With the tips of his fingers he gently raised her chin. ‘Tell me now, before your maid returns. Will you allow me to kiss you?’
Oh, how she longed to know what his kisses would feel like. Losing her ability to speak, Katrina simply nodded her head. His lips curved into a slow smile as he traced her lower lip with his thumb. Then he lowered his head and kissed her softly.
The simple touch of his lips against hers left Katrina wanting more.
* * *
Julian knew from the moment he stroked Katrina’s tempting lower lip that stopping at one kiss would be close to impossible. As it was, it took all his effort not to pull her on top of him after one innocent kiss. Shifting his head, he nipped her mouth until her lips parted. She tasted like sweet tea and something wonderful.
With her hand tentatively resting on his chest, she hesitated a moment before deepening the kiss. This was heaven.
She was kissing him back, gently exploring his mouth. His cravat was growing tight, along with his breeches. He needed to stop, but it was painful to think he had to release her from his arms. Reluctantly, he pulled his head back.
Her eyes were still closed, and her lips held a faint smile. He was about to kiss her again when her lashes fluttered open, revealing eyes that were his favourite shade of blue. Transfixed by the sensuous sight she made, Julian knew at that moment that he never wanted Miss Vandenberg to kiss anyone else.
‘I thought you said just one kiss,’ she uttered breathlessly.
‘Forgive me. I will strive to do better next time,’ he teased.
‘I believe you are much too confident in your charms.’ She smiled as she lowered her hand from his chest and placed it on her lap.
‘Perhaps I am.’ He picked up a loose tendril of her hair and rubbed the silky lock between his fingers before hooking it over her ear. ‘It was a pleasure reading with you.’
‘I enjoyed it thoroughly.’
That smile of hers warmed him even further. ‘How long do you anticipate remaining in London?’
She gave a slight shrug. ‘It is difficult to tell. A few months, I suppose. Hopefully the negotiations between our two countries will progress smoothly.’
The notion of her leaving and his never seeing her again was burning like acid in his gut. Soon he would approach Morley about his daughter. Then his life would be spent devoted to his responsibilities in the company of a woman he was indifferent towards. Deep down he knew he would never feel as happy as he did at this very moment with Miss Vandenberg. He didn’t want the feeling to end. Not now, anyway.
‘I have a proposition for you.’ Even before the words were out of his mouth he couldn’t believe he was actually going to ask her. He needed to spend less time in Hart’s company. ‘Would you consider finishing the book with me?’
‘You mean continue to read it together?’
‘Yes. I realise it is highly irregular. But you were the one to originally suggest it. You once told me you have no intention of marrying an Englishman. And a man in my position must marry a woman from the highest levels of English Society. But you must admit we do enjoy each other’s company. I see no harm in spending some more time together before our lives change course.’
She