Free The Ice Duchess: Scandalous Regency Widows, Book 2 by Amy Rose Bennett Page A

the goddess Aphrodite. Or perhaps Artemis, the feisty huntress would be more accurate.
    His mouth quirked into a slight smile. On another, less sexual level, her continued ire secretly amused him. From the way the duchess’s sapphire blue eyes darted fire whenever she glanced at him through the space between the silver candelabra and a rather elaborate floral centerpiece, he could tell she hadn’t yet forgiven him for his behavior at the Latimers’ ball. Or the fact he’d defeated her at the card table. The roses obviously hadn’t soothed the sting. Not that he’d really expected them to.
    Yet even though the duchess was clearly as cross as a hellcat with him beneath her aloof exterior, he was still determined to have her. The question was, how the devil was he even going to engage her in conversation at this point, let alone attempt to seduce her, given she continued to openly snub him?
    He sipped at his claret, contemplating his stratagem. There would be no dancing this evening. And he doubted she’d take a turn about the room with him after dinner. Or the terrace. So all that he could feasibly do was invite her to play piquet with him again. On his arrival, he’d noted that several card tables had been set up at one end of the drawing room. Surely challenging the duchess to another bout to win back her crown would appeal to her pride if nothing else. He could but try.
    Perhaps sensing his speculative gaze, the duchess—Georgiana—suddenly flicked him a glance from beneath her long dark lashes. He cocked an eyebrow and bright color flooded her cheeks.
    Interesting . Although she’d been pretending otherwise, she was undoubtedly aware of his avid attention. Maybe he wasn’t quite dead in the water yet. Holding her gaze, he reached for his glass of claret again, then ventured a smile at her over the rim as he took a sip. And for one long moment she didn’t look away.
    Christ, she’s beautiful . Rafe’s heart rate kicked up a notch as her telltale blush spread all the way down to her bountiful breasts. When he deliberately lowered his gaze, he swore he could see her nipples hardening beneath the satin of her bodice. Was she even wearing stays? His cock jerked in appreciation and his smile widened. Oh yes, the Ice Duchess wasn’t completely immune to him.
    He could hardly wait for dinner to be over.

    * * *
    “ I t is such a pleasure to see you again, Your Grace. You are looking well this evening.”
    And so the game began . Strategically installed on a velvet upholstered chaise-longue by the fire, slightly apart from the other ladies of the company, Georgie willed herself to take slow, even breaths when she lifted her gaze and smiled up at Markham with deliberate nonchalance. “Thank you. And may I say, so are you, Lord Markham.”
    He smiled. “You may.”
    Ever since the ladies had retired to the drawing room to let the gentlemen dally over their port, she’d been steeling herself for this moment. And she was inwardly pleased that she’d managed to reply to Markham without blushing or stammering. She just prayed that she could remain as cool as cucumber in his presence throughout the remainder of the evening. And that Helena’s dashed plan to beat Markham at cards would work.
    But remaining calm was easier said than done when Markham’s blatantly admiring gaze roamed over her indecently exposed bosom. Don’t you dare lose your nerve now, Georgiana. Isn’t this what you wanted? Markham to be hopelessly distracted by you?
    Yes, but she had not counted on the effect his focused interest would have on her. A warm, heavy ache pulsed between her thighs and she shifted uneasily on her seat.
    Lord Markham’s eyes immediately lifted to meet hers; something like triumph flared in their dark-gray depths and he smiled like a cat who hadn’t just found a saucer of cream, but had been presented with an entire pitcher. He was enjoying the fact he’d made her flustered far too much. Somehow she had to turn the