It should be Avery she smiled at, Avery touching her.
He snarled as he ripped the bush beside him out of the ground, spraying damp earth in all directions.
When the haze lifted, he realized his hands were cut and bleeding. The holly’s sharp edges had punished his impetuous actions with aplomb— and the Waterson’s
poor gardener would have an apoplexy.
He knelt in the damp earth, replacing the battered bush as best he could. Would his rages ever be controlled?
Would he ever be the master of his own mind and body?
He flexed his sore palms, ignoring the trickles of blood that dripped to the ground below. His gaze locked on the group inside. The duke had moved to another part of the room. He stood by the front door, but where was Leah?
Avery’s heart raced as he desperately scanned the room for her. Where had she gone? He must find her before someone else did.
The squeak of a nearby door’s hinges chased him behind the mangled bush. He crouched low. Footsteps echoed on marble, disappearing only a moment later.
Someone descending the stairs into the garden?
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Maintaining his crouch and ignoring his protesting muscles, Avery ran alongside the manor toward the back garden. He had a feeling that the person wandering there alone just may be the woman he’d been searching for.
He bolted for a stone statue of a Greek warrior and knelt in the shadows cast by the lights of the manor’s windows. His breath caught in his throat as the clouds moved past the moon, shining soft light down on her.
Her gown glowed, almost as if she were a celestial being. Her hair, a golden tumble of curls and braids, absorbed the moonlight, mesmerizing him. She shivered, rubbing her gloved hand on her bare upper arm. The longing seated deep in his chest intensified so much that he stood, intending to run to her. The aching pain in his body returned to remind him why that was impossible, but his heavy breath did not go unnoticed.
Leah turned abruptly, bright eyes wary. “Hello? Is somebody out here?”
Blast and damn. He stayed in the shadows, willing her to go back into the house, to remain in the safety of company. He could not go to her, not here.
“I know you’re out here. I can hear you breathing.”
Her voice came louder as she drew closer. He flattened his back against the statue’s legs. She must not find him here. She must not…
“Avery?”
His eyes flew open. There she was, the woman of his dreams, the one who haunted his waking hours. The one he could not touch, not under any circumstances. His one lapse would have to last him a lifetime.
“Miss Ramsey,” he croaked. Clearing his throat, GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 181
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he tried again. “Miss Ramsey. You must return to the house. You are not safe here.”
“Avery, are you okay?” She reached out for him, but he dodged her hand, making sure to stay in darkness. “I can’t really see you, but you don’t sound all that good.”
“I am well. Please return to the house.” Please, because I long to draw you in my arms, to make you my own. But you are so much more, need so much more than I can give. I’ve endangered you.
She propped her hands on her hips, giving him a cross look. “Bullshit. Get over here where I can see you.”
He shook his head. Maddening, infuriating, beautiful woman. “I cannot be seen. I do not have permission to be here. Return to the house. It is not safe for a female to wander outside alone.”
“I’m not alone,” she whispered, joining him in shadow. “You’re here with me.”
He turned away, though her words warmed him with violent hope. She must not see his face.
“You’ll be missed.”
She laughed softly. “I don’t care.”
He kept watch out of the corner of his eye. She stared at his face, squinting through the darkness. The moment her eyes adjusted to the dimness and she realized his injuries, horror painted her features and stabbed his heart.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, stepping close to him.
“You…you’ve been…”
“My dear Miss Ram,” Lady Chesterfield called from the balcony. “Where have you got to, dear child?”
Leah tossed a look over her shoulder, and he took advantage of her distraction to look his fill. The delicate lace of her gown only hinted at her womanly charms, but GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 182
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the innocent décolletage flamed his interest as much as a daring gown would have. The ivory color only accented her porcelain skin, pinkened her lips and cheeks, and set off her golden hair to perfection. She was as close to an angel on earth as had ever lived, and she deserved the best man life could offer her.
“That’s me,” Leah griped as she turned back to him.
“We had to pick a name so nobody could connect the dots to the maid at Granville House.”