The night was beautiful for Bridget. The sea sloshed in the distance, a frog croaked from a nearby patch of water, the stars twinkled above, and the moonlight bathed them in a warm glow. The green of the Duke’s eyes had a silvery glow to it. The way he looked at her made her feel something she had not felt in a long time.
“I do not want this dance to end,” she said suddenly.
The Duke smiled at the statement. Bridget could only blush for blurting out the words. She had meant to think them and not state them aloud.
“All good things must come to an end,” the Duke told her. “Although, some can be extended.”
He hummed a few more notes before ending their dance. Yet, he did not let her go. He kept his hand on her waist, and she did not remove her hand from his shoulder.
Everything told her to break the embrace and return to the manor, but that was not what her heart wanted.
“You dance very well, Lady Bridget,” the Duke murmured.
Bridget heard the words, but the meaning was something different. She could hear a hint of something behind those simple words. It was something she needed to explore.
The moonlight bathed his face, accentuating his features. She did not know how, but her face was closer to his. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to maintain her composure.
The Duke took Bridget’s hand and placed it on his face. His skin was warm and a little stubbly. She gently stroked his cheek with her thumb.
A tingle ran up her spine when his hand cupped her cheek. His other hand cupped her other cheek, and she closed her eyes. She did not need to escape; she only needed to block out some of her senses, or she would become overwhelmed.
A warmth fell on her lips—the Duke’s breath as he leaned closer to her. Logically, it was all wrong, but logic was thrown firmly out the window when romance was involved.
My goodness! Is this romance? Have I developed feelings for this man? Am I going to let him?—
All thoughts were lost as the Duke pressed his lips to hers. Bridget gasped lightly, and her lips parted ever so slightly. The Duke slightly leaned back before bringing his lips back to hers, and Bridget stretched out eagerly for him. Their bodies were closer now, and she did not dare open her eyes for fear of how scandalous they were being. If she kept her eyes closed, she could fool herself into thinking they were doing nothing wrong.
The Duke ran his hand through her hair. The kiss was gentle, calm, and pleasant. Their lips came apart again before he leaned in one final time, changing the angle of the kiss. Bridget squeezed his shoulder.
Then it ended.
No, I want more!
Bridget took a deep breath through her nose before opening her eyes. The Duke was haloed in silver light, and she did not know if she had ever seen a more handsome man in her life. She did not know what the mixed emotions inside were. She wanted him to kiss her again—that was the only thing she was sure of.
“I must bid you goodnight,” the Duke said. “I believe your dance lesson was a success.”
“Yes,” Bridget breathed.
“Shall I walk you back to the house?”
The Duke wore a smile that made her heart skip a beat.
“No, I shall walk back myself. I would like to stare at the sea a little longer,” Bridget replied.
And I need a moment to compose myself.
“Very well. I shall see you in the morning for breakfast,” the Duke said.
“I look forward to it,” Bridget told him.
As she watched him walk back toward the house, all she could think about were his strong hands running through her hair and his supple lips on hers.
What am I doing?!
CHAPTER22
The Morning After
