Angelica grinned in helpless mirth and placed a hand on his sleeve. “Oh, Your Grace, what have I gotten us into?”
In the end they decided to play cards. Angelica had always wanted to learn, for her mother was rumored to be an expert whist player but refused to teach her, saying gambling was “not a habit unmarried females should indulge in.” However, Angelica turned out to be a terrible player because her face gave away everything.
Just as Angelica was beginning to have a good time, Lady Jersey told her she must leave the establishment for “being too familiar with the duke.”
“But he is to be my husband!” Angelica protested, outraged at the ludicrousness of the patroness’s censure.
“That is all the more reason for you to set a good example for the ladies who have not yet made matches.” Lady Jersey’s brows drew together in consternation. “Your mother shall hear about this and your children will be lucky to secure vouchers.” She continued her tirade as the duke stood behind her, looking like he was torn between laughter and biting the woman.
Angelica glared at the patroness who was often called “Silence” for some absurd reason. The woman could barely pause in her speech long enough to take a breath.
“Piss on it, then!” Angelica muttered under her breath as she took Burnrath’s arm and he escorted her out of the insipid club.
By the time they were settled in the duke’s carriage, Angelica was overcome with gales of laughter. “I cannot believe I was just thrown out of Almack’s!” she hiccupped, tears of hilarity streaming down her face. “And be-because I behaved as if I liked you too much!”
Burnrath laughed as he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his handkerchief. “The irony is almost too much to bear. But you should calm down before your maid descends from the driver’s perch and climbs inside, thinking you are having hysterics.”
She took a deep breath and then froze. “Oh God, my mother will be the one to have hysterics, I know it. Lady Jersey is going to tell her. She said my children would be lucky to get vouchers. I don’t know if I’ll be able to endure the nagging.”
The duke stiffened beside her. “I am quite certain that I will be able to placate your mother. And as for the other thing, you need not worry about it.”
Angelica looked up, curious about his change in tone. “Why not?”
“I am unable to give you children,” he said gruffly, avoiding her gaze to stare at his boots. “I am very sorry, Angel.”
“That is quite all right with me,” Angelica said, momentarily forgetting her intentions to escape marrying him. “Unlike most females, I never really gave motherhood much thought except for being outraged on behalf of those women who are subject to a husband’s wrath if they fail to provide a male heir, especially since so many die in the effort. I would much rather avoid the whole ordeal.”
His features relaxed in obvious relief. “I had feared such news would disappoint you.”
The gentleness of his voice wove a spell over her. She struggled to regain her resolve. “May we discuss something else? Surely such a subject is inappropriate.”
The duke’s laughter echoed in the closed carriage. “You now mention impropriety? Oh, Angel, never in almost three centuries of living have I encountered anyone like you. You are a treasure.” Suddenly, his gaze darkened. “I will show you impropriety.”
He pulled her onto his lap and brought his lips down on hers. Heat exploded within her as he crushed her body against his, and his tongue delved into her mouth to dance against hers, invoking electrifying sensations. She reached up and tangled her fingers in his long hair, surprised to find that the locks felt silkier than they appeared. His hand slid down to her breast, and even as she gasped in surprise, a tendril of warmth curled down from there to the tender place between her thighs.
The carriage halted and the duke growled a curse as Angelica leaped away from him with a tiny squeak of protest, seething with self-rage. What am I doing? She was supposed to make him despise her, not cavort in his arms like a shameless wanton. Frantically, she adjusted her hair and gown before the door opened and the groom handed her down. The cool air was a relief against her heated face and form.
“I did not expect you to return so early,” her mother said, brows knitted in concern, when they came in.
“I apologize, Lady Margaret,” Burnrath said with a low bow. “There has been an incident at Almack’s, and being that I was unfamiliar with the traditions of that hallowed establishment, all was completely my fault. Allow me to give you the true account of what transpired before you hear a distorted version from others.”