Free The Duke's Temptation by Addie Jo Ryleigh

fixated on his child.
    As if mesmerized by the sight before him, he stood motionless, his posture neutral, hiding his thoughts. However, as she took in his passive features, her gaze fell on his eyes and there was no mistaking the gentleness hidden within the warm brown.
    He studied his daughter a few seconds longer before he locked on Elizabeth. Caught gawping at him, she froze. The room seemed to crackle with a heightened energy. Phoebe and Aunt Millie continued to move about the makeshift dance floor, oblivious to the new tension flowing through the room’s atmosphere.
    Gabe gave a sharp shake of his head, dislodging their connection. Realizing he was about to escape, she jumped to her feet.
    Her aunt spoke before Elizabeth could stop him. “Gabriel, boy, why don’t you stay and show Phoebe how it is properly done. We could use a man to partner with.”
    His discomfort palpable, Elizabeth thought he’d still make good on his departure, but instead of offering an excuse, he turned to Phoebe once more. He’d have had to be blind to miss the anticipation written across the child’s face.
    Personally acquainted with his soft spot for catering to the whims of young girls, Elizabeth wasn’t surprised when he agreed to the request. “I only have a few minutes but I could spare some for one quick dance.” He walked further into the room. “What will it be? A quadrille?”
    “Actually, I was thinking of a waltz,” Aunt Millie corrected him.
    “A . . . a waltz?”
    “Certainly the very graceful Duke of Wesbrook knows how to dance a simple waltz,” Aunt Millie added, making Elizabeth suspect the older woman was conspiring something.
    Gabe smoothed out his features, ducal assurance sliding into place as he offered a hand to Elizabeth’s aunt and smoothly answered, “Partnering with you in a daring waltz will be my pleasure, Lady Millicent.”
    Instead of agreeing, her aunt shook her head. “Oh, no, dear. As much as I hate to admit it, I need to rest my aging body. I’m afraid you’ll have to settle with gracing the floor with my niece.”
    Elizabeth knew her aunt and was well aware of the woman’s stamina. She had no need to rest, especially when only a few minutes ago she had been whirling around the room with Phoebe—very enthusiastically, in fact.
    Aunt Millie clearly had seen a chance to throw Gabe and Elizabeth together.
    When Gabe turned to her, his eyes were stormy and she couldn’t decipher what ran through his attractive head. Her hope vanished, certain he’d refuse. Unwilling to subject herself to his rejection, she opened her mouth to rebuff him the same moment he spoke.
    “It would be my pleasure.”
    Tension filled his voice, hinting it would be anything but a pleasure. But without causing a scene, she had no option but accept his grudgingly given offer.
    “Excellent. The two of you get ready and I’ll wind the musical box. It isn't the exact melody you need but it will do.” Aunt Millie set off to do precisely that. “Phoebe, dear, come and sit by me as we watch your papa and Lizzy dance.”
    Elizabeth caught the strain enter his muscular frame when Aunt Millie referred to him as Phoebe’s ‘papa.’ His inner struggle, so apparent, pulled at Elizabeth, cutting through her resentment at his less than eager offer to dance. She never could stay vexed with him for long.
    The soft melody began to fill the room and Gabe moved closer to her. Without a word she stepped into the frame he’d created, one hand resting on his strong shoulder while the other settled lightly alongside his palm.
    The moment their gloveless fingers touched, a bolt of awareness—unlike she’d ever felt before—flashed through her, settling in her lower abdomen.
    Her eyes flicked to his, but he gave no sign he’d felt what she had. What did she expect? For him to touch her and declare his undying love?
    She’d never been a featherbrained chit before and she certainly wasn’t going to become one now. She gave herself a