Free The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke

youthful behavior and a heavy dose of cynicism engendered by the very people he’d once called “friends.”
    Nora, however, was not one of those people. She was someone with whom he could relax and let down his guard—if he wanted to.
    He studied her pert profile.
    Yes, he wanted to, but he wouldn’t. There was no point when their association would be disappointingly brief.
    “It is I who must apologize. I’m afraid I don’t socialize well,” he said.
    “You did fine at your stepmother’s ball.”
    He sent her a wry glance. “I’ve had enough practice with that particular occasion—that’s the one thing I do annually, if you recall.”
    She laughed again, and the sound burrowed into him, sparking something most inconvenient— desire . “I do recall, and even if I didn’t, there are plenty who will remind me.”
    He couldn’t help but join in her mirth. “That is true. It’s an appalling state.”
    She adjusted her hold on his arm, sending a shock of awareness straight to his gut. “People talking about you?”
    “I don’t much care if people talk about me. As you so aptly stated, I am untouchable. Most, however, are not. I find gossip and the proclivity of much of Society to burrow their noses in other people’s business abhorrent.”
    Her gaze took on a sheen of approval. “You’re most vehement.”
    “As any full-witted person ought to be.”
    She pressed her lips together, and he had the sense she was trying not to grin. “I agree.”
    He allowed his lips to curve into a smile. “Of course you do.”  
    She’d already demonstrated her keen intelligence and delicious wit the other night. She was, so far, unlike any other young lady he’d met.  
    Her eyes narrowed in a playful, almost flirtatious manner. “Your Grace, I think you do know how to socialize. You flatter me.”
    Apparently he hadn’t completely forgotten how. “Only by chance.”
    “Oh? You didn’t mean to be complimentary?” Definitely flirtatious, judging by her arch tone.
    He couldn’t help but warm to her vivacity. “See? I told you I wasn’t good at this. I didn’t set out to charm you. I don’t set out to charm anyone.” Not anymore.
    “And that’s precisely what I find so…charming,” she murmured, her eyes glowing like dark amber.
    They’d traversed the path to the site of the picnic and now made their way to their assigned blanket. This area was flat, but past the picnic area, the ground gently sloped down toward the small lake, where a handful of boats bobbed near the shoreline. A group of footmen stood at the ready to assist picnickers into the watercrafts.
    Nora gestured toward the lake. “Oh, there are boats!” Her unabashed glee coaxed another smile to his lips.
    His stepmother turned upon hearing Nora’s exclamation. “Indeed. We shall see if we can persuade Mr. Dawson to take you out in one.” She gave her ward a mischievous grin.
    Dawson? Who the hell was Dawson?
    Titus had almost forgotten that the goal was to give Nora a Season, and more importantly, the chance to find the husband that she was denied. He’d been about to offer to take her onto the lake himself, but it was better that she went with someone else. Someone she could marry. He was not that someone. A wife would intrude on the solitude he loved, but more than that, Nora wouldn’t want him—not after he’d contributed to her disgrace.
    His stepmother looked at him with satisfaction in her gaze. “He danced with Miss Lockhart last night. As did several other gentlemen. Miss Lockhart is becoming quite popular.”
    Nora blushed and didn’t meet Titus’s gaze. “I hardly think so.”
    A scowl sprang to Titus’s mouth, but he was able to wrestle it into a mere grimace. Then he forced himself to smile. Again. “How nice.”
    “Shall we sit?” his stepmother asked.
    Titus reluctantly withdrew his arm from Nora’s electrifying touch. “I’m not staying.”
    Nora’s gaze snapped to his, her disappointment evident. “You