The Duke's Quandary Read Online Free PDF Page B

above wide, sensual lips. The scent of horses and something musky that she remembered from the evening of her arrival defined him as male. She squashed the desire to fill her lungs with it.
    “Penelope?” He tilted his head and regarded her, a slight smile gracing his lips.
    Reminded of their purpose, she fought to bring herself under control. A tingling swept up the back of her neck and across her face, soon followed by heat. She attempted a smile, curtsied, then placed her fingertips on his outstretched palm. As if in a dream, he settled his hand on her lower back, drawing her closer.
    “No, Drake.” Sarah chastened from where she practiced with the dance master. “Penelope will not be permitted to waltz until she receives permission from the patronesses at Almacks.”
    “Which no doubt will happen soon, so she’ll need to learn.” He dismissed his sister, and turned to face Penelope. “Just count the beats with me.”
    Trying hard to control her shaking, she took one step forward, her foot landing on his instep. Drake closed his eyes briefly, but still flashed an encouraging smile. “Try to follow my lead.”
    By now her palms were damp with sweat, and she was grateful for the gloves she’d worn for practice. At least he wouldn’t feel the need to wipe his hand down the front of his breeches when the lesson ended. Concentrating hard, Penelope followed a few steps with no mishaps.
    “See. You can do this.”
    She took a deep breath, and turned one direction as he attempted to turn her the other way. Her nose hit his upper arm with enough force that her eyes watered.
    He regarded her with a frown. “Are you all right?”
    “Sorry,” she muttered at the same time. “I’m fine.”
    After another few steps, her nose began to itch, but she didn’t feel it was ladylike to rub it, so she did her best to ignore the sensation. They continued on. The itch did not go away. She faltered slightly when he again moved her in a direction she hadn’t anticipated.
    Afternoon sunlight drifted through the windows, illuminating the room where the sound of the dance master counting beats matched her galloping heart. She scrunched her nose in vain, the itch firmly rooted. Drake smiled encouragingly, but after a few minutes had passed, the tickle grew in proportion to her desire for it to stop. She found it hard to concentrate, and her instep ended up right below Drake’s booted foot.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry, did I hurt you?”
    She bit her lower lip and shook her head, wishing with all her heart the dance was over. She stumbled through a few more steps, her mind focused on the itch and how to relieve herself without calling attention to her dilemma. She scrunched her nose up again. Nothing. Her hand ached to pull it from Drake’s grasp and rub her nose to stop the annoyance.
    Several minutes passed and to her growing horror the itch now encompassed the area below her nose as well. She ran her tongue over her gums and scraped her teeth over her lip.
    “I say, can I help you with anything?” Drake rotated his shoulders, then moved them into a turn that Penelope missed and she stepped once more onto his foot.
    “No, not at all. Everything is fine. Thank you for asking.” The itch had traveled up to her left eyebrow. She moved her brows up and down, the frustration at not being able to rub her palms over her face resulting in another trip over Drake’s feet.
    “Perhaps you have grown tired.” He stopped his movement, which caused Penelope to crash into his chest.
    She quickly rubbed her nose against the rough material of his jacket, relief filling her. “Yes. I believe I am a bit weary.”
    Drake glanced down at his chest and back to her face, his eyebrows almost meeting his hairline. “Well, I guess that is enough for today, then.” He released her, bowed, then turned on his heel to leave the room.
    Penelope watched his retreating back as she wiped the sweat from her upper lip. She panted as though she’d run a