Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

D avid held his hands behind his back. Jenny had her claws out, and it was his favorite version of her. She harbored so much passion in her lithe little body, he just loved riling her up to see it boil over. She was the most beautiful when she was at her breaking point.

But that was not why he was here today, and it was best he remembered that. Hence, his hands were folded behind his back to suppress the urge to touch her.

"Thank you for walking with?—"

"Why are you here?" Jenny asked curtly, cutting him off.

David grinned. "I've always enjoyed your ability to speak your mind."

Jenny grimaced. "Since you always like to play your games and hide your true thoughts, I figured one of us might as well be transparent."

David nodded once. "Touché."

The pair continued to walk, with Frances some paces behind them. David noticed she started drifting closer as they began to talk. He didn't blame her. The tension in the drawing room was thick and suffocating. It took all of his willpower not to tug at his cravat when Jenny glared at him with such animosity.

Deservedly so, but still.

David cleared his throat. "I came here to apologize for my behavior the other night."

Jenny stopped abruptly and shook her head. "Pardon me, Your Grace. What did you say?"

David screwed up his face in annoyance. "Your hearing is just fine, Miss Bennett."

Jenny rolled her eyes and continued walking. David balled his hands into fists behind his back.

"Fine. So, you've apologized for dismissing me so horribly." She turned back to face him. "I haven't decided if I've forgiven you yet."

David lengthened his strides to catch up to her. "You misunderstand, Miss Bennett."

She cocked her head. "You're not apologizing for the way you threw me out?"

David looked around to make sure no one overheard her not-so-subtle whisper. The only one near them was Frances, who had found a particular tree branch fascinating.

"I do apologize for the brazen way I dismissed you the other night. But my behavior prior to that is why I'm here. I should not have kissed you that way." David tucked his chin and cast his eyes downward.

That kiss had haunted him every night since. The feel of Jenny's skin under his fingertips, the ease with which her legs opened. She was putty in his hands and would have done anything he asked. She freely gave herself over to him, and that much power over a woman usually led to problems.

Jenny's feet stepped into his vision. He looked up into her eyes. The sun brought out specks of yellow in her green eyes. How had he never noticed them before?

"Your Grace, while I appreciate your apology and your worry over my sensibilities, I did ask for it, and quite plainly if I remember correctly." Her eyes sparkled, and a small smile danced on her lips. "I won't pretend your actions didn't hurt, but I understand that you take my position in our arrangement very seriously. So on that account, I can accept your apology."

David sighed. She wasn't getting it.

Jenny's eyes dropped to her fidgeting hands. The Duke seemed different. Usually, his confidence was laced with playful sarcasm, but today, there was an air of resignation about him.

Some tension had eased between them since she accepted his apology, but the ease of companionship they once had now felt forced.

They continued to walk, neither one of them speaking. Jenny noticed that with each couple they passed, the tension in his shoulders seemed to return.

Finally, David cleared his throat and offered her his arm. Her shoulders dropped with an exhale of relief. She smiled up at him and took his arm.

"I was thinking, while we're out, we can finish our lesson. This is the perfect place and time to work on getting the ton to do the hard work for you." David acknowledged the people around them.

Jenny slightly leaned against his shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"Promenading isn't just about fresh air and exercise, Miss Bennett. It's a time to be seen, just like at a ball or the opera. Show off. When passing a couple, make eye contact with both people, regardless if they are together or not."

Jenny blushed. "Are you suggesting I flirt with a married man… and a woman? "

David's chuckle reignited the fire in her belly that she thought was distinguished.

"No. It's all in good fun, I assure you. Just nod and smile. When your eyes connect with the man's, wait for a beat, tilt your head, and smile slowly." His voice was low and seductive in her ear. His breath sent goosebumps down her arms even on this warm summer day. "Remember, men like the chase. Making him wait for a smile will catch his attention. Once you have his attention, all you have to do is exist."

Jenny let out a laugh. Was it really that simple?

David nodded to the group of people walking towards them. There was a man walking with two women. One looked to be his mother, possibly, and the other was quite younger.

As they approached the couple, David nudged Jenny's shoulder with his.

Jenny acknowledged the women first with a kind smile and a slight nod. When she passed the man, she made eye contact, waited for a beat, then gave a small smile as her head dipped slowly.

She watched as the man's eyes lit up, and, if she was not mistaken, he may have licked his bottom lip.

Before the man could utter a "good day," David pulled her away.

"I cannot believe that worked!" Jenny exclaimed. "All I did was smile slowly at him. Is it really that easy? You weren't kidding when you said that."

She felt positively giddy, she didn't even notice that they weren't walking anymore. She also didn't notice that David looked unwell.

"Your Grace? Are you alright?"

"No. I mean, yes." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I am fine, thank you."

He glanced over his shoulder and sneered at the man's retreating back. Jenny stood watching him. He kept saying that men were simple creatures, but there was nothing simple about the complex man before her.

Was he jealous of her brief exchange with the man ?

She pointed to the path ahead of them. "Shall we continue?"

David folded his hands behind his back and held them there. "I fear I must walk you back to your home. I have a meeting I must get to."

Jenny's heart sank. "Oh. Well, I can practice some more on our way back."

Once more, she looped her arm through his, and they began their walk back to her home.

David's mood seemed to lighten a bit, which pleased Jenny. She missed the way she felt in his presence. He never made her feel like her personality was too big or that she was being too much. She always felt just right with him.

David bumped her arm. "Here comes old, crotchety Mr. Daniels."

Jenny looked up to see a middle-aged man walking with a cane. His dark hair was peppered with some white, but he didn't look crotchety .

Just then, he kicked a rock at a nearby squirrel.

Oh.

"He is a solicitor known for being a curmudgeon. No one gets along with him, not even his mother. If you can get him to smile, then you know you've truly conquered the art of smiling flirtatiously."

Jenny's lips thinned. "I'm ready."

She widened her stance and bounced back and forth on her heels as if she were going to charge at the man.

David laughed. "Steady, girl. You don't want to give the man a heart attack."

She shot him a wink and cracked her neck. "Look, he's walking towards us. Let's go. Introduce me," she whispered out the side of her mouth.

She wrapped her hand around his arm and practically dragged him to Mr. Daniels.

"Ah, Mr. Daniels, it's nice to see you out and about on this beautiful summer day."

Mr. Daniels sniffed in their direction and grumbled about the heat.

"May I introduce Miss Jane Bennett? You may know her brother, the Duke of Pilton."

"Pilton you say?" Mr. Daniels eyed her suspiciously.

Jenny cringed inwardly. While her brother's reputation had improved since his marriage to Frances, he was still not a favored member of polite society.

She side-eyed David. He did that on purpose. Finding nothing but an innocent smile on his face, she squared her shoulders and shifted her attention back to the solicitor. She prayed her brother hadn't done something to irritate the man.

"Mr. Daniels." She extended her hand while her eyes locked onto his. When he reached out to take her hand, she made sure to apply the right amount of pressure—not too strong, not too light.

She waited until he squeezed ever so lightly to let out a little gasp.

She raised her eyebrows and let a smile curve her lips. "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Daniels. His Grace has been singing nothing but your praises."

The Duke raised an eyebrow at her comment.

Mr. Daniels squinted, confused. "He has, hasn't he?"

"Oh yes. He says you're the man who knows his business and everyone else is just playing the game."

She knew she was laying it on thick, but she remained confident and tried for nonchalance.

Mr. Daniels straightened up and picked at the cuff of his shirt. "Well, he'd be correct."

His face contorted with what could be considered a smile if one was having a seizure, but she took it as one.

Jenny dipped her head, hoping it came across as demure. "I will tell my brother to consider you for any services he may need. I hope you have a wonderful day."

Mr. Daniels blinked, coming out of the slight trance he was just under.

Jenny slipped her hand back into the crook of the Duke's arm and walked past him. She couldn't contain her smile.

"How was that?" she asked when they were far enough away from the man. "I think he was positively smitten with me."

David looked down at her as they walked through the front gate of her home. "I think I have successfully taught you everything you need to find yourself a suitable match." He nodded gravely.

His demeanor shifted from playful to remorseful, and Jenny couldn't understand why. It's true that she had come a long way from their initial lesson. She should feel elated, but instead, she felt despondent.

"I'm sure there is more to learn. After all, I'm only a beginner." She felt their camaraderie slipping away again, and she was desperate to hold onto it. She looked over her shoulder to make sure Frances was out of earshot. "Shall I stop over tonight to continue our lessons?"

David cleared his throat and shook his head. "I don't think you should. There's really no need to continue. You just needed a little confidence, which you have." He shrugged. "My work here is done."

That cursed shrug.

"What?" she demanded.

His jaw ticked. "Miss Bennett." Her name came out as a plea. "I think our time together is over. You don't need my company or my help anymore."

Jenny sputtered and looked back at Frances.

Frances stepped forward, taking her elbow. "Thank you for the promenade, Duke. It was nice of you to stop by this morning. But we must get going."

She tugged on Jenny's elbow, but the Duke raised his hand to stop her. "Please, will you allow us a few moments?" he asked.

The plea in his voice caused alarm bells to ring in Jenny's head.

Why does he sound like he's sad? If he's sad, he should stop saying it's over.

Frances looked at Jenny, who could only nod. She needed to know where this was going. Her stomach twisted at the possibility that he was truly ending their arrangement so soon after she thought she got his friendship back.

Jenny nodded to Frances. "Go inside, Frannie. I shouldn't be long."

Frances leaned into her sister-in-law. "I'll be in the foyer."

She kissed her cheek and slipped inside, leaving her with David on the front stoop.

Jenny refused to lower her eyes. If David was going to end whatever this was between them, then he had to do it while looking at her.

His eyes flickered, but they remained on hers.

"I've enjoyed our time together." His words were measured and calculated. "I wish you the best in your search."

A lump formed in her throat, making it impossible for her to speak. She refused to let her eyes water. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

Come on, Jenny, say something!

"I must disagree."

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "Thank you again for your time, Miss Bennett."

Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and walked out of the gate and down the road. Jenny watched him as he disappeared across the small hill. She willed herself to move, to call after him, to sit and cry, but her body had completely shut down.

The man had been hot and cold since the first day she met him, and each time he refused her, she promised herself it would be the last time she would cave to him. Yet, not more than twenty-four hours after she vowed to stay away from him, she faltered again, only to be crushed once more.

Finding the strength, she turned and made her way inside.

"Jenny, are you alright?"

Jenny looked up to Frances's worried face. "Define fine," she responded.

Truth be told, she didn't know how she felt. She felt numb, sad for sure, but it was the emptiness that bothered her more.

Frances glanced at the drawing room and chewed on her bottom lip.

"I'll be fine, Frannie. I think all the fresh air tired me out. I think I will lie down for a bit."

Jenny went to move past Frances, but her sister-in-law gripped her arm. "You can't go just now."

"Why not?" Jenny questioned.

"Because there is someone here to see you."

Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"A man."