“Did you not publicly threaten and shame Lord Beaumont in front of the entire Ton?” Genevieve grinned, flashing her teeth. “At aball, no less.”
Wilhelm leaned forward slightly. “Yes, I did. Was that impressive?”
Genevieve’s cheeks flushed crimson. “I—I…” she stammered, her heart rate quickening. “That is not what I meant.”
“So, I have impressed you,” Wilhelm murmured, his voice laced with a sultry edge that caused a blush to spread across her face.
She shrugged and looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
“Now, it is my turn,” Wilhelm declared, rubbing his hands together as he pondered his question. “Tell me, Genevieve, do you find me handsome?”
Genevieve opened her mouth to say no, but his raised eyebrow reminded her of the forfeit.
She took a deep breath and then said, “You are… objectively attractive,” she replied, her voice carefully neutral.
Wilhelm leaned back in his chair. “Objectively?” He laughed in mock disbelief at her word choice. “Is that the best you can do, Duchess?”
Genevieve held back the smile that was threatening to break through her carefully constructed facade. “I believe it is an accurate observation,” she countered.
Wilhelm’s smile widened. “Very well,” he conceded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I shall accept yourobjectiveobservation.”
“My turn now.” Genevieve giggled. “What is your favorite color?”
Wilhelm offered her a playful smile. “I believe I have already expressed my fondness for a particular shade of sapphire blue,” he purred, his eyes lingering meaningfully on hers. “It just so happens to be the color of your eyes, my Duchess.”
Genevieve rolled her eyes in an effort to ignore the fluttering in her chest and the suggestive undertone in his response.
Wilhelm chuckled.
“My turn again,” he said. “Do you consider me a good kisser?” he asked as he wiggled his eyebrows at her dramatically.
Genevieve’s eyes widened, and she exhaled sharply, her fingers running through her hair as his gaze dropped to her lips.
“I think…” she began, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.
“You think what?” he prompted, drumming his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I can say that I have not kissed you enough to know,” she stated as she collected herself.
Wilhelm’s gaze darkened and moved deliberately from her eyes to her heaving chest. “We can certainly remedy that,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth.
Genevieve felt her heart race, and in an attempt to steady herself, she reached for her wine glass. In her flustered state, her hand knocked against the edge of the table. She gasped in dismay as the wine glass wobbled. As she tried to steady it, some of the wine splashed on the white tablecloth.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly wiped the spot with her napkin. “I-I am so sorry about that.”
“You look rather pretty when you are flustered,” Wilhelm said seductively. “It is entertaining to see how easily I can make you lose your composure.”
Genevieve looked up at him as frustration and embarrassment coursed through her veins. She straightened, her voice firm despite the growing need inside of her to touch him, caress his face and taste his lips.
“I am not so easily rattled,” she said, her eyes locking onto his.
Wilhelm leaned back in his chair as he felt the tension between them grow again.
“We will see about that,” he promised.
After a brief pause, Genevieve shifted in her seat and began to trace the rim of her glass as she worked on regaining her composure.
She decided to buy herself some time until she was once again in full command of her faculties.
