“I beg your pardon?”
“Well, you’re reading a book about the Italian renaissance. You’ve not done that before. I thought you didn’t care to read anything that wasn’t a novel.”
Lucas frowned.
“Not that it’s your place to say, but I can read whatever I want. And I felt like reading about Italian renaissance.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
There was a lot of meaning behind his words. Lucas could tell that he wasn’t going to get any peace now. He laid the book in his lap.
“Do you have something else to say, Brackston?”
“Is this something to do with Lady Dorothy Napier?”
“Why would you say that?”
“I was talking to her maid Teresa a while ago. She mentioned that Lady Dorothy had a huge book about Italian art.”
Sometimes, servants were far too observant. Lucas rubbed a hand over his face.
“Do the servants talk about anything to make it sound interesting?”
“I just saw, and it was out of character. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.” Brackston shuffled from foot to foot. “I didn’t mean anything by it …”
“Good. Then don’t mention it again.” Lucas nodded towards the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, My Lord.”
Looking a little chastened, Brackston left the room. Lucas shook his head and picked up his book again. His valet could be a little too outspoken. There were times when he didn’t care too much about it, but he didn’t want to hear it right now. Especially when he was reading something that was making his head hurt.
Dorothy was right when she saw a lot of history and scandal behind the art, but the Italian words sprinkled in every now and then were making him struggle. Lucas had never had an affinity for languages. He had been taught French at school and couldn’t speak a word after he left. There was something about learning a language that just didn’t work in his head.
Maybe he should have picked out a book that was easier to read. Even then, he was getting sucked in with the stories behind the paintings and the artists who had lived during the renaissance. Lucas could see why Dorothy liked it.
If she had managed to read that big book, that would be impressive. Lucas certainly wouldn’t want to peruse a book as large and heavy as that one. She was probably one of those women who spent her childhood curled up in a corner with a book permanently in her hands. It was quite a sweet image.
It was certainly better than the erotic sight of her almost spilling out of her bodice. Even now, Lucas couldn’t get the thought out of his head. He had struggled to stop thinking about it, which should have been easier with Dorothy not in the room when he went to join the other guests.
But the image wouldn’t go away, and Lucas had struggled to focus on any conversation. Especially when Lady Marcia decided she would approach him and drop her flirtatious comments again. Lucas was used to a confident woman coming on to him, but this was a bit too much. Sure, Lady Marcia would be good for a fun time, but she was overconfident in her abilities.
At least she hadn’t followed him up to his bedchamber, suggesting that they carried on their conversation in private. Lucas didn’t think she would take no for an answer.
Her forwardness was getting annoying. Which was surprising; normally, Lucas would be up for it. So why wasn’t he taking her up on any offer she gave him?
Something was really wrong with him. That had to be it.
There is something wrong with you. You’re lusting after a woman you didn’t want to marry.
I’m not lusting after her.
Then why are you reading a book on a topic she likes if you’re not going to seduce her?
Lucas groaned and closed the book with a snap. Maybe he was working too hard on this. The time to marry Dorothy had passed, and her attitude towards him said that she wanted nothing to do with him. He should be giving her some space and leaving her alone.
But there the problem lay. He couldn’t back off because Dorothy kept drawing him in. She was a quiet, bookish type who had some fire in her. There was more to her than just her looks and gorgeous body.
Although Lucas was struggling to look past her body, especially after he almost saw her breasts. He itched to touch her, to see if her body was as soft as it looked. He wanted to devour her.