Something Scandalous. Christie Kelley
continued to stare at him until he looked away. A touch of redness tinted his cheeks.
“I know exactly what is between you.”
Chapter 5
Elizabeth waited until after dinner to approach William. She’d been so appalled by the children’s manners during the meal, she almost left before finishing. These children needed more than just nice clothing. While Lucy and Ellie took control of the younger ones, Elizabeth followed Will to his study. She inhaled deeply before walking over to the table in the corner.
“Would you like a brandy, William?”
“Yes.” He never even looked up from his papers.
How was she to use her wiles and flirt if the man ignored her? She poured a glass of brandy for him and a bit of sherry for herself. Perhaps the sherry would give her courage. Clearing her throat, she waited for him to look up and take the snifter.
He leaned back and appeared to notice her for the first time tonight. His fiery gaze burned her, making her mouth gape. Slowly, she reached out with the glass in her hand. His fingers grazed hers when he touched the glass and a spark of excitement skipped up her arm.
Why, after all these years, did the first man she felt an attraction to have to be this mulish man? He grabbed the snifter quickly and stood to his full height.
“Let’s sit by the fireplace tonight,” he said, and then walked toward two velvet chairs close to the fire.
So much for having a desk between them. She’d assumed the gap would make her feel more comfortable. Now she would be able to see all of him. From his wide shoulders to his muscular chest to his…
Elizabeth shook her head to clear her thoughts away. After a brief moment of hesitation, she followed, and took the seat across from him.
“I believe you wished to speak to me about something?” he asked, then sipped his brandy.
She watched as he moved the glass to his full lips, and then her gaze moved to his throat. Never had she felt so mesmerized by a man before now. She had the oddest desire to touch his face, feel the heat of his body, and kiss his lips. Oh, dear!
“Elizabeth?”
“Yes,” she said abruptly. Remembering Sophie’s advice, she smiled at him in her most enticing manner. “I wished to speak with you about the children.”
She glanced at the open door and frowned. Anyone might come upon them and overhear their conversation; she walked to the door and closed it.
“Is there a problem with the children? Did Ethan put a frog in your bed?”
“No,” she exclaimed. “Would he do such a thing?”
William shrugged. “More likely to one of his sisters than you.”
Now she needed to remember to check her bed every night. Sitting in the chair again, she said, “It is their manners. And their clothes. And their education. And—”
“There is nothing wrong with those children.”
Oh, dear, she’d raised his anger. “Not entirely. But there is room for improvement. Children always need guidance, and to learn from adults.”
He rose and paced by the fireplace. “It certainly isn’t the boys’ fault that their mother died when Sarah was three. Nor is it their fault that my father neglected them after their mother’s death.”
“Of course not,” she whispered. Her heart went out to him and his siblings. “It must have been very hard on all of you when she died.”
“My father’s health declined shortly after my stepmother’s death. Personally, I think after he lost my mother and then my stepmother, he wanted to be done with life. He’d loved them both so much.”
“I am sorry,” Elizabeth whispered.
“The last two years of his life were spent mostly in bed. I suggested we return to England to get better care for him, but he refused.” He glanced away. “He wanted to die near his wives. After he died, I took over the care of the children, with Alicia’s help.”
“It must have been very difficult.”
“I did my best,” he muttered.
“I am certain you did,” she replied gently.
She stood and placed her hand on his arm. Ignoring the sensation of touching him, she added, “But now you are in London and no matter how much you might not want to be, you are the duke. Even if you only stay a few months, Lucy and Ellie need proper clothing so they are not confined to the house all the time. They all need to learn better table manners, especially the boys. They were chewing with their mouths open at the dinner table.”
“I suppose they could use some assistance.” He stared down at her hand on his forearm.
Elizabeth knew she should remove her hand, but remembering Sophie’s advice, she squeezed his arm instead. With what she hoped was a flirtatious smile, she said, “I can help you.”
His brown eyes darkened. “Oh?”
“I can assist you so you are ready to face Society, too. You need a valet to cut your hair.” Slowly, she reached up and touched the dark strands. His hair felt coarse to her fingertips but she loved the sensation. She’d never felt so bold in her life.
He reached for her wrist and held it tight. “Elizabeth, I am practically engaged.”
Oh, God, he must think she was nothing but a strumpet. “I’m sorry,” she said, pulling both her hands away. “I didn’t mean anything by…”
He turned to face her fully, and gently clasped her shoulders. “Perhaps if I wasn’t almost engaged…”
“No, I truly meant nothing,” she said, disconcerted at being caught flirting with him, and more disturbed by the feelings of his hands on her shoulders. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought for some semblance of sanity.
No matter how she tried, she couldn’t look away from him. Why did she have to be attracted to him?
He shook his head slightly and removed his hands from her. “Elizabeth, what do you think I should do about the children?” he asked in a strangely hoarse voice.
Elizabeth moved back to her seat and sipped her sherry. “I can assist you so they get the proper clothing and education they need while here. But…”
“But what?”
She stared down at her hands and said, “I would need to stay here to show them a proper example.”
Will sat down in his seat with a smile. Now he understood exactly what she had been up to with her contagious flirting. She wanted to stay in the house. An idea that made him cringe, and yet warmed him at the same time. The thought of her sleeping across the hall from him was a worry. The woman was pure temptation.
But she was right. The children needed a better example, and proper clothing and manners. He would resist her flirtations by thinking of Abigail.
Elizabeth pressed her pink lips together and looked down at her hands. “I guess I have my answer. I shall pack my things tomorrow.”
“Elizabeth, you don’t need to leave.” But she did. Every move she made tempted him in a way he hadn’t felt for a long time. He tried to imagine Abigail’s face, but the only image in his mind was of Elizabeth lying naked in a bed.
“I believe you say that purely to ease your conscience. It is not necessary. I shall leave tomorrow.”
“No,” he said firmly. “You are right about the children. They need guidance in a way I can’t give them.”
“Lucy and Ellie really should make their bow before they enter Society. It’s a rather large undertaking.”
“Their