Say Yes to the Duke Read Online Free Page B

sakes, she reminded herself. He’s a groom.
    But it was no good. Her pulse quickened even further as he approached. He’d unlocked
     a door to a deeply pleasurable place within her with his kisses, which was reason
     enough to lose her breath. In his groom’s garb, he somehow managed to exude an aura
     of power, something that went beyond his impressive physique. It shone from his eyes
     and seasoned his stride with confidence. She had to struggle to maintain an even expression
     and thought back to what she’d told Isobel in the carriage: nothing happened in the
     country.
    And then he strode past her.
    She felt a searing disappointment. The next moment, he was only a few feet away from
     her, bending over the cheroot, smashing it out in the snow, and picking it up. He
     straightened and faced Halsey and her both. The feel of his mouth on hers was still
     fresh in her memory.
    “Move swiftly when I beckon you.” The duke spoke without heat but with an implied
     sense of supremacy.
    Mr. Callahan stood directly between His Grace and the house. “An old leg injury, Your
     Grace.”
    It was no apology. And he hadn’t appeared to have a leg injury earlier. Oh, no. He’d
     been a firm rock of a man who’d held steady all the while that she’d kissed him, kneed
     him, and then slapped him.
    The duke’s face, implacable as it was, took on a curious cast. “Was it you who told
     Lady Janice my grandmother might be ill?” There was no chiding in his tone. But there
     was something else.…
    Control. That’s what it was. The duke was very controlled, Janice thought, and held her breath.
    “Yes, Your Grace.”
    She was fascinated to see that Luke Callahan appeared equally in control. It was like
     watching a chess game between two well-matched opponents.
    “It’s not your place to speak to the young lady at all.” Halsey was still cool and
     composed. But the tension around his mouth belied his words, making Janice’s heart
     beat faster.
    “Their carriage wheel broke,” Mr. Callahan replied calmly, “and her driver needed
     assistance. Naturally, I asked why they were on the estate. It was a matter of security,
     Your Grace.”
    Yes, that’s right, Janice thought. He’d told her he was under orders to preserve the integrity of the
     estate.
    “I make those decisions, not you,” said the duke. “Whatever carriage comes through
     those gates will be free to arrive at this house. All inquiries will be left to me.
     Have you questioned visitors before?”
    “Never, Your Grace,” the groom replied.
    Janice blinked. He was lying right there. He’d told her he had, that it was his job.
    The duke observed him through narrowed eyes. Mr. Callahan looked steadily back.
    “I’ll fire you for your insolence if you do it again,” His Grace said. “The only reason
     I won’t this time is because it might distress the lady. Now get the snow off those
     steps. And do it quickly.” He finally showed some irritation in his tone.
    “Very well, Your Grace.” Mr. Callahan turned to do as he was bid.
    Janice was flummoxed.
    Mr. Callahan had won that match.
    It made no sense, but he’d somehow bested the duke in a game that should never have
     been played. She wasn’t even sure His Grace knew he’d been defeated.
    The gritty sound of Mr. Callahan’s boot on the stone and the sheer conviction of his
     movements—shouldn’t he have at least pretended to have a weak leg?—only added to her
     sense that he was the vanquisher and not the vanquished.
    Yet he was a servant doing a servant’s job. How could he be as enthralling a figure
     as a duke?
    He’s not. He’s a groom.
    But when she was very young, she’d been a shopgirl. And you always will be, you fool, if you can’t keep your eyes off the help.
    The crowning moment came when Mr. Callahan finished his chore and walked purposefully
     down the steps. “All finished, Your Grace.” He stood at relaxed attention, his gloved
     hands dangling at his sides, while