Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance Read Free Page B

“You know, it doesn’t. You, however, bear all the markings of a proper English miss. Your mother did a good job, with the exception of one thing, of course.”
    She turned to look at him then. Indignation marked her brow and she gave him a scathing look until their eyes locked. Then she forgot her annoyance and her breath started coming in short gasps again. He was standing so close. His powerful body called to her softer one.
    A piece of her auburn hair unhooked from her loose coif in the sea wind. Mr. Maddox caught it between his fingers and rubbed it, then tucked it behind her ear. It was terribly intimate, and Piper blushed at the gesture.
    “Don’t you want to know what that one thing is?”
    “What?” she had completely lost track of the conversation but then she remembered. It broke the spell and she turned away again. “No, I don’t.”
    He laughed that beautiful laugh and Piper gritted her teeth. “You’re too feisty to be a true English lady. Most genteel women would have crumpled into a heap of blubbering tears after what you went through. Or perhaps fainted. And I have never met an English girl who has been so honest or looked so beautiful doing it.”
    She shook her head. “Now I know you’re teasing me.”
    His hand touched her arm and Piper stepped back then. “You promised.”
    “I promised not to take advantage of you. I didn’t promise not to touch you at all.” His smile was wicked then.
    “I expect you to act like a gentleman. I don’t let men…” He stepped towards her. She turned away and set down her wine glass attempting to put some distance between them.
    “Ah, there is the English miss again. But you have avoided the question. What’s wrong with your mother?” He didn’t touch her but he was close enough for her to smell him. He smelled like horses and leather, mixed with the salt air. There was another scent too, something male and beautiful.
    Her voice shook when she answered. “I don’t know. She won’t see a—”
    “Why not?” His voice cut in.
    Piper shook her head. She didn’t want to tell him they didn’t have the money. That her mother wanted to spend every dime putting Piper through one last season so Piper could find love and a husband. She had begged her mother to see a doctor but she had refused. Her stubborn mother was going to marry that ninny to care for her and spend the last of her money on Piper’s future.
    She felt them again. The tears that had threatened earlier. One slipped down her cheek again and Mr. Maddox brushed it away.
    “Please don’t,” her voice pleaded. She didn’t even know if she was asking him not to touch her or not to ask the questions. Another tear fell down her cheek.
    “I’ll have my ship doctor examine her,” he said as he removed his hand.
    “Thank you.” Her voice was choked with emotion.
    “You weren’t that happy when I saved your life.” He wrinkled his brow.
    It was her turn to laugh. “I didn’t know who you were and I was in shock, I think. He put his mouth on…” she slapped her hand over her lips. What was she doing?
    “Where?” his voice growled. Now it was deep and threatening. His face moved even closer.
    “I just have never let a man kiss me.” She closed her eyes not wanting to see his face.
    “You still haven’t. Let a man kiss you.” His voice was so close. Its low rumble soothed her jangled nerves.
    Her eyes opened again meeting his. “That is very true. Thank you for saving my life.”
    His thumb, which had wiped the tear, now brushed across her lips. “You’re welcome. Someday a man will kiss you and you will forget all about tonight.”
    Her breathing was labored again. His touch made her flutter all over. “I have been to Boston, New York, England, and even France. I haven’t met a man yet that would make me forget.”
    “Now your English roots are really showing through. Fussy.”
    “Americans say picky. Your English roots are showing through.” She straightened her