Tilting his chin skyward, Avery scraped the last of the shaving soap away. Wrapping his throat and cheeks in the soft, damp cloth, he sniffed as he wiped his skin clean.
He tried not to think of the marks and bruises that this skin would very likely bear after the upcoming tourney.
Tossing the cloth aside, he grabbed his breeches from the wooden chair by his bedside. He’d just buttoned them when a sharp pinging sound at the window drew his attention.
Glancing sideways with a bemused scowl, he picked up his shirt. Another ping rang through the room, followed by a third.
“Damn and blast,” Avery muttered, tossing his shirt aside and going to the window. He must make haste for the last-minute preparations for His Grace’s journey.
This was a distraction he could ill afford.
Swinging the window open, he leaned forward to see where the projectiles were originating. A tiny pebble caught him in the bare shoulder, and he winced.
“Oh gosh, Avery, I’m sorry!” Miss Ramsey’s voice floated up to him as he clapped a hand over the stinging GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 143
4/11/13 11:26 AM
144
Gina Lamm
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
spot. “I was just trying to get your attention. Can you come out here? I need to talk to you before I go.”
“Go?” He suddenly forgot that he was only half-dressed in the unease her words draped over him.
“Whatever do you mean?
She was barely visible in the predawn gloom, but when she glanced about, her blonde tresses whipped in the early morning breeze. He gripped the windowsill tightly, hoping that he’d misheard her.
“It’s kind of a long story, and I don’t want to yell it.”
“I shall come down to you,” he said, and shut the window. Jamming his arms through his sleeves, he made quick work of dressing, his thoughts all a-tangle as he did. How could she leave? Where would she go?
It did not signify. She did not know the dangers of this world. No matter her destination, he was determined to stop her. For how could he protect her if she left?
His footsteps echoed in the empty stairwell as he hurried toward the area. He did not have time for this.
But how could he let her go?
Ducking past Cook, he slipped out the kitchen door.
There she stood on the steps, one hand gripping the old leather case he’d given her, golden hair making a halo around her head. She gave him a small smile, and his heart thudded against his ribs. Steady on, my lad. He gripped his hands behind his back and stiffened his spine.
“I tried to tell you yesterday, but we kind of got interrupted.” She took a deep breath, shrugging her shoulders in an exaggerated manner. “Lady Chesterfield asked me to come live with her, and I said yes.”
“Lady Chesterfield?” he echoed incredulously. “Why has she asked this?” Avery’s nails dug into his palm.
GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 144
4/11/13 11:26 AM
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
145
“Last night at the dowager’s party, Lady Chesterfield
told me that she knew about Jamie, my friend. She’s going to help me with the duke and make me into a lady, à la Eliza Doolittle, I guess.” Leah bobbed a grand curtsy with a grin. “Isn’t that awesome?”
Avery’s ire rose, bubbling in his gut like an over-flowing river. “I do not know Miss Eliza Doolittle, but Lady Chesterfield is a bit of an eccentric. You should not accept her offer. You know nothing of her, nor she you.” He couldn’t control the hint of bitterness in his tone. She was leaving after all he’d done for her? “This is foolishness.”
“Seriously?” Leah’s blond brows crept high on her forehead. “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way. But I think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and this is a great opportunity. You’ve helped me a lot, and I appreciate that, but you’ve got to realize that I make my own deci-sions.” The determined set to her chin fanned the flames of his temper, and he could remain still no longer.
“Do you?” Dropping his hands from behind his back, he took a step closer to her. “You make your own deci-sions? Is that why you decided you were destined for a man you’d never met? Are you the arbiter of destiny now as well?”
Her eyes widening, she stepped backward, bringing the bag in front of her as if to shield herself from him.
“I…I don’t…”
“Of course, my mistake, milady. Please. Do go and take up residence with these complete strangers. Of course, this is what you’d wanted all along, is it not?
To be puffed up like some fine lady, to be able to court your duke on even ground? Ah yes. I can see by the GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 145
4/11/13 11:26 AM
146
Gina Lamm
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
expression in your limpid blue eyes that I am correct.
I shall not importune you further, Miss Ramsey.” He swept an exaggerated bow, nearly choking on his own bile-filled venom.