service?”
The sight that greeted his eyes was nothing less than
extraordinary. Skirts, voluminous black skirts, hung
from the mirror, and delicate booted feet kicked wildly
beneath the fabric. The rest of the form, if indeed there
was one, was completely obscured by Avery’s reflection
in the bureau’s mirror.
“The bloody hell,” Avery breathed, unable to credit
what he saw.
She continued to wriggle free, sliding farther and
farther down the bureau’s slanted front. A trim waist
exited the mirror, followed quickly by a lean back,
flailing arms, and a tumble of yellow curls. She would
have fallen to the floor had Avery not stepped forward
and caught her just in time.
“What the devil is this?” Avery set her on her feet and
quickly stepped away. “Explain yourself, madam.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re perfect.” She laughed, her face
as shiningly pleasant as her tousled hair. Her accent was
flat, smooth, and slow, like honey dripping onto a scone.
“Sorry, I know this is sudden. Hello, I’m Leah Ramsey.”
Avery shook off the whisper of interest that flicked in
his brain. Remember your place, my lad, and do not be taken in by a pretty face. “The name means nothing to me, miss.
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Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
21
What are you doing in these bedchambers?” He kept
his countenance grim. It was no wonder the men had
struggled so with the bureau. She must have been hidden
away inside it.
Her conspiratorial smile struck him dumb. “It’s going
to sound weird, but I’ll tell you.” She gripped his arm
and leaned against him to whisper in his ear, “I traveled
through time to find my true love, and I’m pretty sure,
Your Grace, that it’s got to be you.”
The ease with which the overly familiar gesture came
was no less startling than the intimate press of her body
on his. He stepped backward as if burned, staring at her
in shock.
A devil with an angel’s face is sent to torment me .
i
Leah’s heart fluttered with excitement. He was absolutely
perfect— everything a duke should be. Well, except for
the silvery scars on his knuckles and slight crookedness
of his nose. And maybe the height. Shouldn’t dukes clear
six feet? He couldn’t be more than an extremely well-
muscled five foot ten. And his outfit was plainer than
she’d imagined for such a high- ranking aristocrat. But
his broad shoulders and slim hips more than made up for
any height deficiency. At five foot seven herself, anything
taller than her was tall enough.
She’d made a big faux pas right off the bat, though.
Drawing in a shaky breath, Leah smiled apologetically.
She hoped that slack- jawed look on his face was more
intrigued interest than shocked disgust. Tough call.
“Sorry, I was just excited. I mean, look at this place.
Look at you. I can’t believe I’m actually here!”
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22
Gina Lamm
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
His silence didn’t inspire much confidence. He stood
there, scowling at her like Mr. Darcy in a room full of
commoners. She had to play it cool. Drying her suddenly
damp palms on her skirt, she breathed deeply. “Let me
explain. Mrs. Knightsbridge— she’s Micah, er, the Earl
of Dunnington’s housekeeper—
well, she’s got some
pretty incredible talents. I asked her for help with my
grandfather, but she sent me here instead. She said my
true love was in this house, and she sent me here to meet
you. Oh .” Cheeks burning, she suddenly remembered
the rank of the man standing there. You couldn’t just run
up to a freaking duke and make best friends. She sank into a low curtsy and whispered, “Your Grace.”
A firm grip surrounded her arm, flooding her with
warmth. Gosh, he was strong. He pulled her upright, but
the seriousness in his eyes stopped her smile in its tracks.
“Miss, you are mistaken. I am not your true love.” His
deep, raspy voice