Read Online Nothing But Scandal by Allegra Gray - Free Book Online Page A

Bookshelves, each filled to capacity, lined three walls. On the fourth, large mullioned windows overlooked the lawns of the estate. The chairs and chaises scattered about the room were designed for comfort. It was the perfect place to lose oneself in a book, or even just in thought.
    “’Tis a lovely room, Your Grace,” Elizabeth said. “Thank you for showing it to me.”
    He shot her a knowing look. “You wouldn’t be anxious to be rid of me, would you, Miss Medford?”
    “Of course not.” It was a lie, and he knew it as well as she. She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. “You said you wanted answers. Well, here is your answer, Your Grace. That moment in the park was folly. A rash and unwise move on my part. I have never done anything else like it, nor do I intend to.
    “As for the man who fancies himself my fiancé, I have never agreed to marry him—or anyone else, for that matter. I need this position, and I will work hard to keep it. Again, I thank you for showing me the library.”
    He threw her a grin and swept a gallant arm toward the many shelves. “You’re welcome. But I’ve hardly begun. Here, now, what shall we examine first?”
    She sighed. There would be no getting rid of him. Worse, there was a wicked part of her soul that rejoiced with each moment he stayed.
    He bypassed a wall full of scientific texts, then stopped suddenly before a shelf of Byron. “Ah! I know. You have a fondness for poetry, if I recall.”
    Elizabeth was no budding poet, but she had attended a poetry recital held by the duke’s spinster cousin a couple months ago. The whole event had been awful, from the lackluster refreshments to the crowlike voice in which the duke’s cousin delivered what, presumably, were poems.
    No doubt Alex remembered because, in Elizabeth’s haste to leave when the wretched event was over, she had tripped over a sagging flounce at the hem of her gown and stumbled into him. And while she’d seen any number of ladies swoon gracefully into the duke’s arms, she had landed there out of pure clumsiness.
    She gazed up at him now and caught the telltale twinkle in the duke’s eyes. She grinned helplessly. “I do love a good poem.”
    “Well, I cannot claim to share my cousin’s… ahem, … skill in recitation, but I can show you my sister’s fine collection of poets.”
    “No performance?” Elizabeth feigned disappointment as Alex directed her to the shelf packed with leather-bound volumes. “Likely it’s for the best. If I recall, I was so carried away by the last one I attended, I lost my bearings and nearly ran you over.” She kept her tone light as she turned to look at the poetry books.
    “Of course, I quite forgot. Perhaps I should steady you, then, as you peruse these tomes, in order to prevent a reoccurrence.”
    Elizabeth sucked in her breath as his hands settled gently on either side of her waist. The temptation to lean back into him, absorb his scent and strength, was nearly overwhelming. She bit her lip, hard, in hopes the pain would distract her.
    “I shouldn’t allow this,” she whispered.
    “If I recall,” he countered, “you were willing to offer much more.”
    “That was before.” But she closed her eyes as his thumbs gently stroked her sides. “I just told you—”
    “Shh. You are an unusual woman, Elizabeth,” he murmured, his head bent so she could feel the warmth of his breath behind her ear. “I confess you have quite captured my interest.”
    They were slipping into dangerous territory. Elizabeth knew it and tried to change course. She reached out to finger a volume of poetry, though by which poet, she had no idea. “You toy with me, Your Grace.”
    “Nay, never that.”
    “I know well you find me less than tempting.” Elizabeth spoke with more conviction than she felt.
    “You’re wrong. I think you a temptress of the most dangerous sort.”
    His breath tickled her ear, awakening a longing for him to touch that same spot with his lips.