Free Mary Blayney - [Pennistan 03] by Strangers Kiss

terms, nothing more.”
    “I have only your word on that.”
    “
Only
my word? You know nothing of the value of my word.” She’d raised her voice and swept away from him, moving around the room lest she do something physical. She had never in her life wanted to hit a person, but this man begged for it.
    “I saw Lord William at dinner tonight,” she said, trying, with the greatest effort, to keep her tone reasonable. “The only mention he made of you was to wonder where we would be likely to see you again.” It was the slightly embarrassing truth.
    “Exactly.” The duke smiled, a you’ve-fallen-into-my-trap expression that was not friendly at all. He came to her across the room. “Two things intrigue me. That you and Lord William spend so much time together and that I am so frequently a topic of conversation.”
    “You flatter yourself, Your Grace.” She stood her ground, hoping he would not notice her blush, for she had wanted to talk to William about him far more than she had. “Lord William is doing me the kindness of helping me establish myself in London.”
    “I think his interests are more personal than that.” The duke took a step back and though he did not look her up and down, she felt as though he was considering her as he might a new statue. Or a mistress.
    “Our friendship is none of your business, Your Grace. None at all. Let me remind you that he deserves your respect. He is, after all, the heir to a dukedom.”
    “Even praiseworthy men can be compromised, especially in the name of family.”
    “What do you mean by that?” Her throat tightened and she raised a hand to rub at the pressure, reminding herself that very few people knew of her connection to the Bendasbrook family. There was no way the duke could have discovered it. No way at all.
    The duke did not answer right away and she waited, her hands shaking a little. The duke glanced at her fingers, but that one flick of the eye was the only curiosity he showed.
    “I mean, madame, that in order to protect a family’s reputation and wealth even the honorable will abandon principle.”
    “That says much more about you than it does about William.” Relief made her chatter on. “But then as a duke no one questions you; you are never at fault for any reason, whether it is to protect wealth or reputation, or only to show your power.”
    “You hardly know me well enough to make that kind of judgment.”
    “I only need to know that you are a duke.”
    She did not wait for an answer but turned her back to him, staring at the painting on the wall, a Canaletto thatshe adored, and prayed for calm. Finally she faced him again, more controlled but still aware of the way his presence affected her. “I will respect your privacy, as I trust you will respect mine.”
    “Very well.” The two words were as curt as hers had been, and even though he inclined his head the duke still did not appear to be relieved. “I appreciate your cooperation.”
    Despite the insult and the lack of apology, Elena was sure he felt the same carnal attraction she did. He could
not
have forgotten that kiss. Surely not.
    Of course, he remembered the kiss and that was why he was so irritated
. The thought struck her with such force that she almost said it aloud.
    He did not know what do with this attraction either. Not when he worried that she might be an enemy. Or did he think to put her off by behaving abominably? She pressed her hands to her heart.
    “Good night, signora.” He did not bow, but he did take two steps toward the door.
    “That, Your Grace, is running away.” She sat. “You are free to run, but you have yet to address the other reason you came this evening.”
    “Preserving my privacy was the only reason.” He had his hand on the latch.
    “Please sit down.” It was like combing a knot out of her hair to make this man be honest about his feelings.
    “No, I will not sit down. I am not one to be ordered about like a pet dog.”
    She rose and closed