He took one tray and set it on the rug by the crackling fireplace then went to retrieve the other. “Do not blame me if I get crumbs on the rug.”
“Ivy would tell you that is a fine reason to own a dog.” Violet eased down onto the rug and folded her legs underneath her.
Duke sank down opposite and rested an elbow upon a raised knee as he tore off a chunk of buttered bread and ate it.
“I think this might be the best meal I have ever had,” she declared after taking her first bite of the soft bread and acknowledging the grumble of her stomach.
He grinned. “Who knew you were so easily satisfied?”
Satisfied? She glanced over Duke, her gaze falling upon his lips as he chewed. No, she wasn’t satisfied. Not yet.
∞∞∞
His intentions had been innocent. Truly they had. But the moment Duke returned to Violet’s bedroom with her, and she started nibbling on bread, the amber light of the fire dancing over her face, he’d known he was lost.
He could blame his near brush with death or his lack of sleep or the worry over his father for his poor decision making; but really, it was Violet. He didn’t want to spend another moment apart from her. The risk of losing her as he had the other women in his life seemed like nothing compared to the steady throb of pain being apart from her left. He should have brought her in here, bid her goodnight and gone and eaten in his room. They might have realized there was no conquering this desire but there was no conquering this either.
His feelings for her were far, far deeper.
They ate in silence for a few moments, and he concentrated on watching the flickering flames bob and weave in the fireplace. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Violet take a sip of lemonade. Part of him wished they could return to their effortless friendship, where they talked with ease, and this knotting sensation in his gut never existed. The other part couldn’t fathom a time when he did not wish to kiss her until she was soft and warm in his arms.
“I suppose it is all over now,” she murmured over the rim of her glass and eyed him.
Duke glanced at her. Over? No, he had a suspicion things were just getting started.
“My father is safe, yes.”
“And Doyle goes to trial in two weeks.”
“I will not give him another chance to use my father as blackmail.”
She set her glass down on the tray. “He has nothing else he can use?”
He chuckled. “I have few secrets, Vi, you know that.”
“You have had one or two since staying here.”
“You mean my meeting with Patrick Doyle’s men?”
“Clem still wants to kill the both of you for scaring us like that.” Violet inhaled deeply, making her chest rise and fall. He tried hard to concentrate on her words, really he did, but it was darned distracting to see her curves do...that.
“It wasn’t Roman’s fault.”
“Did you persuade him to go with you?”
“Well, no.”
Her lips curved. “He insisted he’d go with you.”
“Yes, but do not tell Clem.”
She shook her head vigorously. “I will not say a word. I believe her to be in a certain condition at present and I do not want her angry.”
Duke frowned. “A certain condition? Has she said as much?”
“No, but I am fairly sure of it.”
“I did not know you dabbled in the occult.”