What the Groom Wants by Jade Lee Page A

“Keep the secret, but if Bernard has racked up one more penny of debt—”
    “Doesn’t matter,” she said, her tone flat. “I have told him I won’t pay. And, in case he doubts me, I have already refused when he borrowed again.”
    Radley would see Bernard flogged! “How much more?”
    She immediately softened her tone. “Just a few pennies for a meal. That’s all. But even that—”
    “He will not involve you more.” He said it like a vow.
    “And you will not beat my brother for his sins.” She flashed him an impish smile. “That’s my job, and I’ve been doing right well at it these last months.”
    “Months?” he asked in a deceptively soft voice. “You’ve been working off his debt for months?”
    She wasn’t fooled by his quiet tone. “It’s done now. Or it will be tomorrow.” She turned and gave him a grateful smile. “And I thank you.”
    He didn’t want her gratitude. He wanted something a great deal more than simple thanks. But this was a start. And now, they were about to take the next step, as they’d arrived at Hyde Park. If they hadn’t, he might have pushed her into a quiet alley and kissed her. But they were here now, and he refused to let his lascivious thoughts destroy his chance.
    Whether she expected it or not, he would court her like a lady. That meant no stolen kisses in dark alleys. But perhaps, he could give her something else—a glorious afternoon strolling in the park while a duke devoted every smidgen of his attention to her.
    She must have seen what he intended. She must have read it on his face because he saw her eyes widen. She licked her lips, a gesture that had his cock tightening. Even more telling was the way her expression softened.
    “You’re a duke now. You can’t be thinking those thoughts about me,” she whispered.
    His eyebrows rose, a haughty expression he used to mimic as a boy. Back then it had been so he could mock the nobs stupid enough to wander down to the docks. Now he realized, he would have to use it for real. It was as much an expectation of a duke as fine clothes and a massive home. He used it now on Wendy, only to discover that she was unaffected. Eventually, he released the expression to look her squarely—honestly—in the eye.
    “I cannot stop what I think of you, Wind. Believe me when I say that I have tried.” He stepped closer. “You are my best friend’s sister and were too young when I left for sea.”
    He stroked her cheek then. A single caress that had her breath catching in her throat. This was how they had ended up kissing yesterday. They were on a busy street near the corner of Hyde Park, but he had no interest in changing this course. He would kiss her here for all the world to see.
    She saw the intention in his eyes. He watched her mouth part on a gasp. He was already closing the distance between them when disaster struck. He didn’t hear it at first. He was too busy seeing the word yes on her lips. But then the intrusion became all too clear.
    “That’s him! Look, Minerva, I’d know him anywhere. It’s the new Duke of Bucklynde. Right there!”

Seven
    Wendy was fast losing the reasons why she couldn’t kiss Radley. Why he was off limits. Yes, he was a duke, but he’d always been her better. More socially skilled, with a bigger heart, and generally, much nicer than she was. And, if he were fool enough to kiss her, then she would be doubly idiotic to refuse.
    So she was done with saying no. They were standing so close, but now, he touched her, and her skin crackled under his touch. A lifetime of defenses shattering? she wondered.
    “Yes,” she whispered.
    Then she felt him jolt, and his eyes narrowed in frustration. He was turning away from her. So tense was his reaction, she thought he was protecting her from a threat. But then, a moment later, she began to doubt. What danger came from three well-dressed young ladies as they rushed forward?
    “Your grace! Your grace!” cried one auburn-haired beauty. “Do