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  “I’m sorry, Kira. I did not mean to startle you.”

  He looked exceedingly casual in nothing more than black trousers, riding boots, and a soft white shirt. A fine sheen of sweat filmed across the hard triangle of his chest visible beneath the exposed V of his shirt. He looked as if he’d just been on a hard ride.

  Wondering why he had sought her, Kira opened her mouth but found her mind more occupied with taking in the sight of him than sorting out her thoughts. And her mouth felt curiously dry for talking.

  Gavin bent to her, his hand upon her shoulder as he peered with concern. “Are you well? You look flushed.”

  Mortified by her reaction, Kira glanced back to her letter, taking her gaze from him.

  “Merely deep in thought, writing a letter to my father.”

  “Indeed? I understood from James that he is abroad.”

  “In Ceylon, I believe, though one never knows. Last year, his passion took him to China. Shortly before that, he ventured to Peru.”

  “He is a well-traveled man.”

  “Yes, he is able to pay for his adventures by translating documents and texts into various languages.” Kira busied herself by examining the quill so as not to stare at Gavin anymore. “He knows eight of them.”

  Kira could not help it; she risked a peek at Gavin to find surprise cross his handsome if serious face. “Eight. That is impressive. Has he taught you any?”

  “I know four, though my Russian is quite bad, and I probably should not count it.”

  The duke still looked impressed. “Like your Russian, my French is bad, worse than my singing, I daresay.”

  She laughed, realizing it was impossible to distrust him when he was disarming. It was even more difficult to ignore his appealing smile. “That is grave, indeed.”

  “My sisters will have to represent the family should we ever find ourselves in Paris. Anne, in particular, has a gift for language.”

  The pride evident on his face touched Kira. He cared for his sisters, as much as Darius cared for her. In her estimation, a girl needed a concerned, protective brother, and the duke’s sisters were lucky to have him.

  “But to be fair, Kate’s gift with a needle and thread is superlative,” he went on. “She is also prettier and less reserved than Anne.”

  The furrow between his dark brows displayed a worry that Kira could not ignore.

  “What is it?”

  “What is what?”

  “Your concern, Gavin. What troubles you?”

  He hesitated, sighed. “Nothing of great import.”

  From the worry clouding Gavin’s dark eyes, Kira knew his anxiety was very real. The trouble was his, and he had elected not to share it with her. Still… perhaps she could help.

  “It obviously weighs upon you enough to turn your smile down and dim the liveliness in your eyes.”

  “I’m merely concerned for my sister Anne and her prospects for marriage.”

  “If she’s half as lovely as—” you are handsome… had she been about to utter that? Very bad move, indeed. No, she must think again, not lose her thoughts when she found her gaze tangled with his. “I’m sure she’s a lovely girl.”

  “She is,” he quickly agreed. “It’s simply that I spoke last evening with one of my cousins, who has taken the girls under her wing as she launches her own daughter this season. Apparently Kate has more than her share of beaux and already has two offers, one of them excellent. But Anne is much happier at home with her nose in a book. My cousin says she does her utmost to blend in with the walls. Because of it, has few admirers.”

  The turn of his mouth told Kira the issue concerned him. “So she is having a difficult time emerging from Kate’s shadow?”

  “It would seem so. And the longer this continues, the more difficult it will be for Anne to establish herself in society. Can she not understand the importance of dancing, smiling, and a bit of conversation?”

  Anxiety shadowed Gavin’s dark eyes. This caring side of him made her smile. He, like Darius, was a good though slightly misguided brother.

  “She understands,” Kira assured him. “But if she is shy, it is more difficult for her than you grasp, I fear.”

  His expression could only be termed bewildered. “How so? Perhaps she enjoys the parties and balls less than Kate but—”

  “You are not timid,” she pointed out. “So it is hard to explain. But I struggle with my own nervousness at social gatherings. The small chatter and dancing you refer to can seem almost painful at times.”

  “Painful?” His expression told her the concept was foreign to him.

  Kira found his confusion alternately exasperating and endearing. “When you are not easy in crowds, there is terrible pressure to act with a grace and charm you do not feel.”

  “Perhaps, but Anne must persevere. Marrying well for a woman is of the utmost importance.”

  Nothing could be more true. Gavin’s gaze delved hers, and Kira dared to hope that his concern extended to her. Perhaps he truly did approve of her marriage to James so that she, too, could marry suitably. The idea of his acceptance warmed her.

  “Yes, marrying well is important,” she agreed. “Every woman knows that, just as every good brother does what he can to facilitate such an event. Anne understands what you expect, but you are asking her to sparkle in a situation that generally makes her tongue feel tied. I’ve even been known to become dizzy in a press of too many people, and no party in Suffolk ever grew as large as a true London ball.”

  He looked frustrated, but appeared as if he tried to accept her words. “What can I do to help her?”

  “Talk to her. Offer her your support. Tell her you’re proud, no matter what. Attend a function or two with her and keep her by your side. Your presence will put her at ease and mean a great deal to her besides. Perhaps she merely needs to come away from the wall to be seen by all the young men.”

  He nodded, clearly mulling her words. “Perhaps so. You seem to understand my dilemma well.”

  “Let us say that Darius did his best to ease me into society when I would have preferred to remain at home with my music.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she thought fondly of all the ways in which her brother had tried to help her.

  “You are very close to him.”

  The duke’s observation did not surprise Kira. The fact he wished to speak to her about it, however, only made Kira like him more.

  “Through much of our childhood, Darius and I raised one another. I taught him to read. He taught me to fish. I looked after him when—” mother chose to stay in Persia— “as I became older, and he made me feel safe when Papa was away on his adventures.”

  “How lucky you are to be so close. I miss having my sisters about. They are quite a bit younger than me, but once they left Norfield Park for London, I swore no church graveyard could be so quiet.”

  Gavin truly missed his sisters; Kira heard that in his voice and she smiled. “Now here is your chance. If you approve of one of Kate’s suitors, betroth them and allow her the happiness that marriage affords. In doing so, you will free Anne to stand in the light Kate once occupied.”

  “Yes, that makes sense.” He reached for her hand. Resolve and appreciation glowed in his eyes. “I believe you are right. Thank you.”

  Kira only had time to respond to the feel of his warm, bare palm against her own before he leaned toward her. He swamped her senses with his nearness, his musky scent, and subtle heat. Did he mean to kiss her? Her heart thumped, beating a feral rhythm against her ribs as he came closer. Did she want him to?

  His breath fanned against the side of her face, inciting tingles. A moment later, his mouth settled there, pausing as he kissed her cheek. Time stood still for a moment—a breath—as yearning sprang up inside her.

  Darius had kissed her cheek many times, but never had it made her feel hopeful, dizzy, uncertain, and giddy.

  Kira tensed as Gavin pulled away and released her hand. Something of her shock must have shown. He withdrew
his hand with a contrite grimace. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” Gavin seemed to search for words. “You were so gracious in helping me, and I am so appreciative for your sage advice. I fear I became carried away in expressing my gratitude. Can you forgive me?”

  Gratitude, of course. Why else would the duke direct such a gesture to her? The fault lay with her for reading more into his appreciation. Nor should she want the act to mean more.

  Her wedding would take place in nine short days. Clearly, she suffered from prenuptial shivers. Darius had vowed that he’d conclude his mysterious business here in London quickly so they could return to Norfield Park ample time before the wedding. But the thought of being married forever to James, a man she’d known only six short weeks… Well, it was daunting. She simply was not thinking clearly.

  “There is nothing to forgive.” She did her best to smile. “I’m glad I could be of some help.”

  “Indeed. And I fear I’ve only repaid your kindness by startling you and interrupting your correspondence.” He flashed her the self-deprecating grin she was coming to know well, the one that deepened the cleft in his chin. “I’ll leave you to finish your letter.”

  Kira watched the broad expanse of his retreating back, his sleek dark hair brushing the collar. His long legs covered the length of the elegant room. For some reason, she did not want him to go. “Gavin?”

  He turned, a question poised on his striking face. “Yes?”

  She paused, trying to think of something to delay him. “I merely wanted to wish your sisters well in matters of marriage.”

  A gentle smile softened his bold mouth. “Thank you.”

  He left the room then, and Kira continued to stare at the door. Cropthorne had shown his love for his family. And she liked him all the more for it. In fact, the man simply did not want to leave her mind. Her thoughts were somewhat reckless. Not all of them, but that crazy instant when she had wondered, even for a wild heartbeat hoped, that he meant to kiss her, as neither James nor Lord Vance ever had… Definitely prenuptial shivers.

  * * * *

  “I cannot believe I must go through with this dinner party and have the Melbournes at my table.” Aunt Caroline sighed the following evening, tapping her foot on the jewel blue carpet in the dining room. “Everyone we know will be completely aghast.”

  Gavin understood her sentiment, though he wished she could express them with fewer dramatics. “I had no notion before we came to London that you had planned this fete. Otherwise, I would have insisted we delay the journey.”

  She closed her reddening eyes, which were perilously close to tears. “Would that you had never brought them to London to begin with. And now it is far too late to cancel!”

  He seconded that sentiment as well. After tonight, all of London would know beyond a doubt that James meant to wed Kira Melbourne. He and Aunt Caroline could not ignore the girl altogether, without causing tongues to wag about a family rift… and not without hurting James. But neither did Gavin want to endorse the woman to the ton.

  Nor, he was forced to admit, did he have the will to publicly humiliate Kira. He’d discovered that he bloody enjoyed spending time with her, which was complete nonsense, of course. He must seduce her. But he was utterly angry with himself. James, Aunt Caroline, the family name—these were important. Nothing else.

  The woman had allowed Lord Vance every intimacy without marriage. She would not be a good clergyman’s wife, despite the air of innocence in her manner. That artlessness must be part of her ruse; certainly it had ensnared James. Gavin would not allow himself to follow suit. Despite her appearance of goodness, he still knew who and what she was. The fact he loved to hear Kira Melbourne sing and appreciated her perspective was irrelevant. He found her company pleasant, yes. But he also enjoyed a lot of women’s company, though none came to mind at that exact moment. And he had to stop wanting to bed Kira quite so badly as well.

  It was a bloody shame he could not make her his mistress, touch her when he wanted—possess the exotic perfection of her lips, take her lush breasts in his mouth, tumble her senseless at will—until he worked her from his system.

  Yet he feared indulging such fantasy would only further incite the infamous Daggett lust. Every day he spent in her presence only made erasing her from his mind and his erotic dreams that much more difficult.

  “We will endure this evening,” he told his aunt. “I will watch Miss Melbourne closely and do my best to keep further scandal at bay.”

  Aunt Caroline arched a pale brow at him. He knew that look; she was suspicious. “From everything I’ve observed in the past three days, you’ve been close, perhaps too close, to Miss Melbourne. Why?”

  His shrewd aunt would notice him fraternizing with the enemy. But his plan to rid the family of Kira was working. Already he had discovered some of her vulnerabilities. She would do anything to protect her brother. Playing on her self-doubt and yearning for acceptance would be fairly simple, as well. He sensed a bit of anger toward her absent father. She said nothing of her mother, which he found most unusual and planned to explore later. Somehow the knowledge would help him when they returned to Norfield Park and he created the perfect opportunity to seduce her.

  His conscience jabbed at him, reminding him that his plan was most underhanded. Still, he had little choice. So she was beautiful. And he had never wanted a woman so badly that he had memorized her perfume or allowed her to haunt his dreams. She was a scandal his family did not need. It hardly signified that she possessed enough musical talent to make angels weep. He enjoyed hearing her each time she played for him and he saw the flushed passion on her face, but that did not mean he owed her any allegiance. He owed her nothing at all.

  “I’m going to compromise her,” he told his aunt. “I’m going to arrange a tryst so that James can see for himself the kind of woman he plans to marry.”

  Shock widened his aunt’s blue eyes. Then a stunned smile followed. “My clever, devilish boy, what a wonderful idea! Perhaps I can be of some assistance? Provide insight into the female mind?”

  Gavin grimaced, finding the idea of enlisting his aunt’s help distasteful. “I’m making good progress, I believe.”

  Aunt Caroline clapped, her fingers stiff with thrill. “Splendid. I am eager for you to reveal to James exactly what kind of harlot Kira Melbourne is.”

  He restrained a wince. Harlot was a strong word. After all, if she had been completely wanton, she would have invited him to her bed already, with any luck more than once. And he would have enjoyed accepting, if she weren’t the only woman he’d ever known who could crush his inhibitions with her mere presence. Instead, she had offered him advice on handling his shy youngest sister, and some of that advice had proven wonderfully effective thus far. And Kate’s engagement was all but sealed. He really ought to thank Kira for that—before he wended his hands up under her skirt for James’s benefit.

  Blood hell, this had turned ugly. But Gavin knew he could not relent for his conscience’s sake. He must seduce Kira Melbourne.

  Unfortunately, the desire he struggled to keep caged in her presence chafed against its leash like an unruly dog.

  Resigned to a terrible evening, Gavin made his way to the drawing room. Soon, Aunt Caroline and the rest of the family joined him, including the delicious, problematic Kira.

  Within minutes guests began arriving. By London standards, the party was a small one. No one cut Kira directly; they wouldn’t dare do so in their host’s home. But almost no one spoke to her. Lord Darehurst, notorious womanizer that he was, scarcely spared her a glance. Even Aunt Caroline did not approach her or make any gesture to set her at ease. And the hurt on Kira’s face twisted something in his gut.

  Finally, Brock and Maddie’s arrival ended Gavin’s self-induced brooding, for which he was grateful.

  “Cousin Madeline,” he greeted her with a gallant bow and a kiss upon her cheek. “You’re looking wonderfully.”

  “You might even say she’s glowing,” Brock teased.
>
  “Glowing?” Gavin inspected his cousin. She did look radiant, her skin a smooth ivory, her eyes sparkling with almost silver brilliance.

  “Indeed. Don’t all expectant women glow?”

  Gavin looked from his friend to his cousin. “Maddie, is it true?”

  With an excited little nod, she smiled. “In November.”

  “A third child.” Gavin patted his friend on the back. “You have been blessed.”

  “We think so.” Maddie smiled at her husband, the adoration on her face so apparent, Gavin felt staggered by it.

  What would his life be like if he had a woman to love him with the whole of her heart? He’d never wondered before, but seeing Brock and Maddie’s joy made him envious.

  “I’m going to go tell your aunt,” Maddie called just before she disappeared into the thickening crowd.

  Gavin regarded his grinning friend. “You’re a lucky devil.”

  “Damned lucky. Everyday Maddie makes me aware of that.”

  Brock sighed after his wife, watching her animated conversation with Aunt Caroline and the other women. Then he frowned, peering into the crowd.

  “Is—is that…”

  “Kira Melbourne?” He nodded. “Yes.”

  Brock raised a dark brow. “She is still engaged to James?”

  “Indeed. I’ve tried to dissuade him.” Gavin laughed in self-deprecation. “Hell, I’ve tried everything I can think of to drive her away.”

  “Knowing you, I’m sure you put a considerable amount of energy into the effort.”

  “Right again,” Gavin murmured, but his eyes had drifted back to Kira.

  She stood against a wall, beside her brother. Nobody spoke to her. And still she held her head high, the long column of her neck graceful. She seemed to stare through the crowd, as if unaffected by their opinion.

  Brock followed the direction of Gavin’s stare. “She is a beautiful woman.”

  “Yes.” Gavin swallowed.

  Damn if he couldn’t feel his body heat up simply by looking at her. How would it feel to unwind her hair from atop her head and arrange it around the bare luminescence of her body? To know he could put his mouth anywhere on her that he wished? Gavin felt himself stirring, too willing to fantasize about her, despite the crowd and the lascivious nature of his thoughts.