Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes

the last-minute preparations for His Grace’s journey. This was a distraction he could ill afford.

Swinging the window open, he leaned forward to see where the projectiles were originating. A tiny pebble caught him on the bare shoulder, and he winced.

“Oh gosh, Avery, I’m sorry!” Miss Ramsey’s voice floated up to him as he clapped a hand over the stinging spot. “I was just trying to get your attention. Can you come out here? I need to talk to you before I go.”

“Go?” He suddenly forgot that he was only half-dressed in the unease her words draped over him. “Whatever do you mean?

She was barely visible in the predawn gloom, but when she glanced about, her blonde tresses whipped in the early morning breeze. He gripped the windowsill tightly, hoping that he’d misheard her.

“It’s kind of a long story, and I don’t want to yell it.”

“I shall come down to you,” he said, and shut the window. Jamming his arms through his sleeves, he made quick work of dressing, his thoughts all a-tangle as he did. How could she leave? Where would she go?

It did not signify. She did not know the dangers of this world. No matter her destination, he was determined to stop her. For how could he protect her if she left?

His footsteps echoed in the empty stairwell as he hurried toward the area. He did not have time for this. But how could he let her go?

Ducking past Cook, he slipped out the kitchen door.

There she stood on the steps that led up from the small area to the lane, one hand gripping the old leather case he’d given her, golden hair making a halo around her head. She gave him a small smile, and his heart thudded against his ribs. Steady on, my lad. He gripped his hands behind his back and stiffened his spine.

“I tried to tell you yesterday, but we kind of got interrupted.” She took a deep breath, shrugging her shoulders in an exaggerated manner. “Lady Chesterfield asked me to come live with her, and I said yes.”

“Lady Chesterfield?” he echoed incredulously. “Why has she asked this?” Avery’s nails dug into his palms.

“Last night at the dowager’s party, Lady Chesterfield told me that she knew about Jamie, my friend. She’s going to help me with the duke and make me into a lady, a la Eliza Doolittle, I guess.” Leah bobbed a grand curtsy with a grin. “Isn’t that awesome?”

Avery’s ire rose, bubbling in his gut like an overflowing river. “I do not know Miss Eliza Doolittle, but Lady Chesterfield is a bit of an eccentric. You should not accept her offer. You know nothing of her, nor she you.” He couldn’t control the hint of bitterness in his tone. She was leaving after all he’d done for her? “This is foolishness.”

“Seriously?” Leah’s blond brows crept high on her forehead. “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way. But I think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and this is a great opportunity. You’ve helped me a lot, and I appreciate that, but you’ve got to realize that I make my own decisions.” The determined set to her chin fanned the flames of his temper, and he could remain still no longer.

“Do you?” Dropping his hands from behind his back, he took a step closer to her. “You make your own decisions? Is that why you decided you were destined for a man you’d never met? Are you the arbiter of destiny now as well?”

Her eyes widening, she stepped backward, bringing the bag in front of her as if to shield herself from him. “I…I don’t…”

“Of course, my mistake, milady. Please. Do go and take up residence with these complete strangers. Of course, this is what you’d wanted all along, is it not? To be puffed up like some fine lady, to be able to court your duke on even ground? Ah yes. I can see by the expression in your limpid blue eyes that I am correct. I shall not importune you further, Miss Ramsey.” He swept an exaggerated bow, nearly choking on his own bile-filled venom.

“Avery, please. Don’t act like this.” When he straightened, she stepped close to him. Reaching her hand upward, toward his cheek, she whispered, “Listen, I…”

He knocked her hand away, staggering backward as if burned. “Do not touch me.” But that wasn’t what he really wanted. He wanted to pull her into his arms and press his lips to hers, but he could not ruin her, no matter how much he wanted her.

Her fingers curled into a fist, which she dropped down by her side. “Fine. Have a nice life, Mr. Russell.”

As she turned, the sweet, exotic scent of her tantalized him. She marched up the stairs toward the street.

“Miss Ramsey?”

She stopped but did not turn. “Yes?”

“I wish you well,” he said in a low voice.

She nodded and then was gone, taking Avery’s sense of peace with her.

A moment passed, then two, and with each heartbeat Avery’s regret grew. When the torment grew too much to bear, he sprinted up the stairs to chase after Leah.

Her back was rigid as she strode quickly down the lane. She was nearly at the corner now. He watched her walk away for a long moment, warring with himself. What the devil was wrong with him? He should be glad to see the back of her. She’d caused him no end of trouble. So why did he long to chase after her and apologize?

He shoved a hand through his hair, suddenly realizing he’d not secured his queue. Damn. She’d done more than upset the household; she’d upset his internal balance. Best to get back to it. He had a journey to prepare for and a mill to attend. As distasteful as both propositions were, what choice did he have?

He turned and reluctantly made his way down toward the kitchen door, but voices ground him to a halt. A man and woman arguing? The woman’s voice grew louder and more insistent.

“I told you, I’m not interested.”

Miss Ramsey.

Without another thought, Avery leaped up the stairs and sprinted after her. Adrenaline pounded through him, forcing his footsteps faster. She needed him. He’d been right to worry. She was unprepared and vulnerable and in no position…

He stopped suddenly, gravel crunching beneath his boots. Miss Ramsey stood over Lachlan Mackenzie, who was moaning and grabbing his crotch as he lay in a heap on the gravel.

“Maybe next time a woman tells you she’s not interested, you’ll take her a little more seriously.” She glared at the man and nudged him with the toe of her boot.

He would thrash Mackenzie. Later. For now, he directed his attention to Miss Ramsey. Her eyes were alight with anger, and her chest heaved with exertion and outrage. She was the picture of a warrior goddess, strong and decisive. The antithesis of a meek and demure female, but strangely he was drawn to her even more at the sight.

“Miss Ramsey, are you injured?” You simpleton, she is obviously not. But he could think of nothing else to say. If the stable master had laid a finger on her, Avery would not simply thrash him. He’d kill him.

She glanced over at him without losing her cross expression. “No, I’m fine. Just had to explain some basic communication skills to gropey-boy here.” Hefting the bag in her right hand, she sniffed. “Well, I’m going to try this leaving thing again. See ya.”

This time, when she turned, he reached out a hand and stopped her.

“Miss Ramsey.” No, that was too formal. “Leah.”

Her face softened slightly as she tilted her chin upward to look into his eyes. “Yes?”

I should not. I cannot. He must, and he did.

Stepping toward her, he closed the short distance between them. His hand trailed from her shoulder to the delicate curve of her neck, higher to tangle into the hair at her nape. Her lips, pink and pale in the breaking dawn, parted slightly on a breath.

“Avery?” The question was whispered, her eyes soft and confused as she looked up at him.

He let his actions answer. Bending low, he pressed his lips to hers.

Soft heat. That was the sensation of her mouth on his. His muscles trembled with the effort of holding himself still, of restraining the urge to draw her body tight against his and possess her completely. This was enough. It was more than he deserved and all he’d ever get. She was leaving here, leaving him, forever.