To Catch A Duke by Bethany Sefchick Page A

you
know."   He glanced around, as if
attempting to see the gardens through her eyes.   "There are places that are more exotic, more
breathtaking.   But I do agree that there
is something special about this place."
    "I cannot imagine
them."   For truly, she could
not.   Until she'd come to London, nearly
her entire life had been in Sussex.   Even with the vast array of books in the library at Seldon Park, she
could not imagine much beyond England's shores.
    He squeezed her hand lightly, as if
somehow sensing her longing to see more of the world beyond.   "I have been to some of them, you
know.   Mostly during my tour of the
Continent.   There is a great, wide world
out there, Julia.   The deserts and
pyramids in Egypt.   The Swiss Alps.   The ruins of ancient Greece.   All wondrous and beautiful in their own
right."
    "There are times when I wish I
could see them as well.   Though that
would require me being a man, I suppose."   She hadn't mean to speak that thought aloud, but once she had, Julia
found she had no desire to take it back.   While she wasn't about to unveil all of the secrets of her heart to
Benjamin, she felt that one or two might not be such a bad thing.   Perhaps then, he might understand her a
little better, see that she was not the child she once was.   Maybe even kiss her again.   Then, she mumbled under her breath,
"not that anyone would see me differently if I were."
    Perhaps, she thought, if she could
goad him into anger, then he would at least talk to her about something other
than the weather, which had been his preferred topic of conversation for much
of the evening thus far.
    Benjamin led her to a supper box
and seemed as if he wanted to enter, which made sense, as she was certain he'd
made all of the appropriate arrangements for the evening.   Instead, however, they continued walking, past
the boxes and onto one of the more dimly lit pathways.   Beyond that lay the darkness.   She should be afraid, if for her reputation,
if nothing else.   But hang it all, she
was tired of being worried about her reputation.   In three weeks, it would not matter anyway.   She would be gone, and, along with that, her
only chance of having the kind of experiences she had always dreamed of.   That included time with the duke.
    So when he led her onto one of the
darkened, shadowy pathways, she followed him, hand on his arm, never once
hesitating.   This was progress, and,
while she could not and would not want to undo the kiss, perhaps he was making
at least some attempt to regain the easy way that had been between them for so
long.
    When they finally stopped walking,
Julia discovered that the music that had seemed so loud before was very faint
now, as if coming from a great distance, carried by the wind.   It was also quite dark, the last of the dim
lanterns still close enough to cast the occasional shadow, but far enough away
that no one would see them together in the darkness.
    "Do you really think I do not
see you as female?" he asked finally, confusion clear on his face.   "After what took place between us, do
you think I do not know?"
    She clutched her reticule tightly,
uncertain what he wanted from her.   This
was all so new that she did not quite know how to respond.   "I do not know, my lord, as you have
not spoken of it since.   I rather
thought you might regret it."
    "Regret it?"   He made a strangled sound, rather as if he
was in pain.   "Good God, Julia, do
you have any idea how much I do not regret it?"
    "No, Benjamin, I do
not."   She allowed herself to grow
angry now, as well.   "In fact,
since you have barely spoken to me in several days, I rather thought you were
ashamed of that kiss.   And of me!"
    She was shocked when he reached out
and grabbed her wrist, pulling her hard against him.   She could feel the rise and fall of his chest, the heat radiating
from his body through his evening clothes.   More than that, she could feel his desire pressing against her