Page 31 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

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Ravenna cameupon Simon early again the next day. She’d taken a pot of hot chocolate and buttered toast in bed, then slipped through Heath and Julia’s quiet house, not wanting to cause a disturbance after the conflict she had created. She’d thought of Simon all through the night. Perhaps for that reason she wasn’t startled when she found him alone in Heath’s study.

She loved this retreat, redolent with the aroma of must and cigars, crammed with precious old books on obscure topics and charts of exotic lands she’d never dreamed existed. A large military desk dominated the room. Its multiple hidden drawers and pigeonholes held knowledge only Heath understood, although Julia had said he’d committed his most crucial secrets to memory.

Simon stood facing the wall, inscrutable in his own fashion, his large hands clasped behind his back. He was examining a map of Egypt when she approached him. A fitted black coat dropped from his broad shoulders to his knees. His concentration allowed her to admire his athletic figure in detail. And to steel her nerves.

Then he turned, acknowledging her presence with a knowing smile. She realized with a blush he was aware she’d been conducting a clandestine appraisal of his person. Her curiosity seemed to amuse him.

“You look nothing like a man in fear of his life, Simon. One would swear you hadn’t a care in the world.”

“How lovely to see you.” He moved with ease around the bulky desk toward her. “I hope you finally slept well.”

“Not a wink. I wondered whether Aunt Glynnis had given you second thoughts. Have you come to retract your offer?”

“I’m made of sterner stuff.”

“I tend to agree.”

His eyes slid over her. “You aren’t insubstantial yourself. But even if I changed my mind the rest of your family wouldn’t allow me past the city gates. We can’t call off the engagement without provoking greater scandal.”

“How did you win my aunt over?”

He shrugged. “I was myself. That is all.”

“That is more than enough,” she said grudgingly.

He bent his head to hers. She held her breath, tantalized by the scent of minty shaving soap on his thin cheeks. “Your aunt would like us to go through the rigors of courtship.”

“There really isn’t time,” she murmured, his closeness a disturbance. He was so gorgeous and good-hearted that she felt guilty he wasn’t marrying a woman he had chosen. “I don’t need a courtship.”

“Why don’t we sit down on the sofa?” he politely suggested. “You look discomposed all of a sudden. I hope my appearance here isn’t upsetting.”

“I shall have to be strong. Stop treating me as if my veins run with maiden’s water and not blood.”

His hand slid under her elbow. “Sit down, for heaven’s sake. I won’t bite.”

“You kiss.”

“You are very kissable.”

She sank down on the sofa in an unruffled pose, but she doubted Simon was deceived. He had lived a bachelor’s life in London while she had stitched tapestries in the turret for her brothers to use as dartboards. Mercifully the Simon she remembered was not a man to abuse his power.

He brushed back his coattails and sat down beside her. Ravenna realized she was staring at his face and glanced down at the cushion propped in the middle of the sofa. She had to accustom herself to his company. But what she wanted to do was caress his face. His damaged beauty fascinated her.

“On the subject of courtship,” he said, bringing her back to earth. “We could make a show of it. Or you could plead a sudden indisposition to keep you out of view.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, glancing up.

He smiled at her indulgently, and she thought that she might enjoy the illusion of pursuit. How could she complain when such an alluring man offered to court her?

They contemplated each other over the strategic cushion.

“An indisposition,” he said, “could imply anything from mumps to a mad fit, which would allow you seclusion until you ‘recover’ or Society moves to another scandal. No matter how poorly we have behaved, the world will soon find new victims to devour.”

“Why can’t you be the one to go mad or have the mumps?”

His mouth curled. “Because then I would have to stay at home without an excuse to watch over you until the wedding.”