Free Callie Hutton by Miss Merry's Christmas Page B

to a tig r ess . “I don’t mean to disparage you, or your father. I’m merely surprised a woman would be interested in such things.”
    “Oh, I suppose it would make more sense to you if I preferred to discuss gowns , s lippers, and gossip?”
    He could no longer hold back his chuckle. She narrowed her eyes, and then her lips tilted, turned into a smile, and finally she laughed.
    “Ah, see, Miss Chambers. We are able to laugh at ourselves, are we not?”
    “And when will it be your turn?” She smiled sweetly and took a bite of a watercress sandwich , as the dowager duchess grinned behind her cup of tea .
    *
    Merry’s heart hadn’t gone back to its normal rhythm since Penrose first walked into the dining room. His presence had sucked out all the air . He ’d towered over her, staring down with those riveting deep brown eyes that always caused her to feel as though she’d forgotten to put on her gown .
    Now with him sitting across from her, his large frame dwarfing the settee, s he had a strong desire to whip out a fan to cool her heated skin. With the blood pounding in her ears, s he barely heard what he and Kitty discussed. This would not do. He ’d invaded her thoughts, even while she’d slept, the entire time he was gone .
    But, oh, how he vexed her with that superior attitude. She studied him from beneath lowered l ashes . His attraction l ay not just in his good looks, but the way he held himself. The way he moved across a room like a panther seeking its prey. She shivered. Would that she were that prey.
    “Are you cold, Miss Chambers?” Penrose regarded her.
    Cold? She was ready to rip off her clothes. “No. I’m fine.”
    Penrose stood. “Ladies, as much as I’ve enjoyed your company, there are things I must attend to before dinner.” He bowed to his mother and kissed her hand, then turned to Merry. With that predato r y look in his eyes, he took her hand in his, and brought it slowly to his mouth, all the time staring in her eyes . Her breath caught. He rested his lips on her hand , casting a devilish smile he did so well .  “Until later.”
    Merry was both angry and about to self-combust. She did not want him to affect her in this manner . As he continually reminded her, he was a duke and she not even a member of the ton . But did he ever say that, or had she gotten that impression from Miss Jennings? She chided herself. No matter. The fact remained there could never be anything between them. And she didn’t need the governess to remind her of i t.
    ****
    The next afternoon Merry tapped on the library door.
    “Enter.” The duke ’s deep voice rolled over her.
    He sat behind his massive desk, papers scattered about, a quill pen in his hand. He glanced up as she entered, a smile gracing his lips. “Good afternoon.”
    “Your Grace,” she curtsied.
    “Merry, please stop. You keep bobbing up and down every time you see me, and I’m becoming dizzy.” He grinned. “And I’m dismayed to find we’re back to ‘Your Grace,’ again.”
    She felt the blush rise to her face. “I would ask a favor, Your…”
    “Yes?”
    “I seek permission to allow the girls to join me outside.”
    “Outside? There must be a foot of snow out there.” He jerked his head in the direction of the window display ing a fairyland of white glistening on tree branches.
    “That’s precisely why.” She swallowed a giggle at his puzzled expression.
    “I’m afraid I’m confused. Why would you all go out into the snow?”
    “To play.” She dragged out the last word.
    “Play?” His puzzled expression made her laugh.
    “Yes. Cavort. Have fun. Run around in the snow. Throw snowballs. Slide down the hill.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me you’ve never played in the snow.”
    He bristled. “Of course. When I was a boy.”
    “Ah. Maybe it’s time to put all those papers aside and become a boy again .”
    Penrose shook his head. “Nonsense. I haven’t time for that.”
    “In any event,