Free Dusk With a Dangerous Duke by Alexandra Hawkins Page B

teasing caress of his fingers unexpectedly transformed into iron manacles on her upper arms. He pulled her up against his body, and covered her protest with a kiss. Though he made no attempt to deepen the kiss, his mouth was warm and firm against hers.
    He released her just as quickly.
    Grace stumbled backward and gaped at the earl. “Is this the part where I’m supposed to slap you in the face and then march back into the ballroom alone?” She wondered if this had been his plan all along, though she could not fathom his motives.
    Was he trying to ruin her reputation?
    “I have another suggestion,” he said, his turquoise-blue gaze gleaming. “Come closer and kiss me again.”
    “No,” Grace said, appalled by his suggestion. Lord Chillingsworth was clearly not to be trusted. “Why did you kiss me?”
    “Answer a question first.”
    “I think I’ve answered enough of your questions.”
    He ignored her evasion, and asked, “Am I the first man to kiss you?”
    Grace laughed nervously. “I have no intention of giving you a reply to such a rude question.”
    The earl inclined his head, and for a moment she thought he would attempt to kiss her again, but he diverted course and leaned close enough for his lips to brush her ear.
    “You already have, my darling girl,” he whispered, sending shivers down her arms and back. “No, don’t ruin it by feigning outrage. We both know you enjoyed it. Permit me the small victory that I was the first gent to kiss you.”
    Grace took a deep breath as she prepared to tell Lord Chillingsworth what an arrogant blackguard he was—but then she changed her mind. While he deserved a slap and a good scolding, she refused to deliver the rebuke he expected from her.
    Instead she brazenly turned her face toward his. Their lips were mere inches apart. “Why should I complain?” she replied. “You are old and experienced enough to be aware that your kisses are quite extraordinary.”
    “Shall we stroll deeper into the Lovelaces’ back gardens?”
    “A bit too daring for me, I confess. You’ll have to find another reckless miss for such adventures,” she said, moving out of his embrace before he decided to drag her off into the darkness.
    “A pity,” he said, sounding as if he meant it. “I hope you remain in London. I would like the opportunity to persuade you to my side.”
    “Oh, Frost … you might not believe me, but I am already on your side,” she said, walking away from him. It might be more prudent for her to return to the ballroom without him. “And that’s why you are a very dangerous man.”
    The earl was much like his friend. He would never offer a lady his heart.
    Frost shook his head. “Hunter has no idea what he is up against. I can’t decide if I pity or envy him.”
    “I hope you’ll allow him to figure things out himself.”
    “Striving to gain the upper hand, eh?”
    “A lady needs to exploit her advantage when challenging a Lord of Vice.”
    “And clever,” he said, suddenly coming to a decision. “Very well, I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”
    “See that you do.” She hesitated and glanced back. “And perhaps one day I will reply truthfully to the question you refrained from asking.”
    “And what question is that, Lady Grace?”
    “You want to know whose kisses I prefer—yours or the duke’s?”
    Frost’s shoulders shook as he laughed. “Oh, darling, more to the point, I know whose kisses you prefer this evening. Unless Hunter is an utter fool, I will have to be content with my singular triumph.”
    Grace was still smiling when she rejoined the fretting Lady Netherley and her companions.

 
    Chapter Eight
    Hunter was in a foul mood.
    It had taken him minutes to locate Lady Netherley. Unfortunately, the marchioness was not very forthcoming about Lady Grace or her whereabouts. Neither was Sin’s wife, Juliana. Or Regan, Isabel, or Sophia when he encountered the ladies. Reign and Dare were distracted with their wives. As for Sin,