A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3) by Jessie Bennett Page A

to you, then Kent would never be able to expose his previous misconducts.”
    “I should have known that no man would be interested in me without ulterior motives.”
    “Don’t say that, Ettie. You are a wonderful girl. You are still very young too. You will find the right person.”
    She couldn’t respond, but instead cried into my arms. I held her and consoled her until at last she fell asleep from exhaustion. I laid her down on our bed and tucked her in like she was my own sister. The emotions and events of the day had worn her out and she fell into a deep sleep.
    I heard a soft knock at the door. I made my way over and opened it just a crack, my finger to my lips, signaling Kent to be quiet. He waited until I tiptoed out of the room and into the hall.
    “She just fell asleep,” I whispered, even though I was sure that I was far out of her earshot now.
    “How is she?” he asked softly, with brotherly concern in his green eyes.
    “Heartbroken,” I replied matter of factly. “She will live though, I am sure of it.”
    We made our way down to the tavern below to get ourselves some food. We sat silently, eating by the warmth of the fire as we finished our meals.
    “It is very romantic,” I finally said. “I can’t blame her for doing it.”
    “What is romantic?” Kent asked, waking from his own thoughts.
    “Running away together. The mad dash up north before you’re caught.”
    He gave me a rueful smile. “So you like that sort of thing then?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. I like the idea of a beautiful public wedding with my friends and family there too, all done the proper way. I was just saying I could see the appeal in this as well.”
    “Well, we already have a day behind us of the trip. We even have a witness with us, if you want to?”
    “No.” I waved him off. “Plus, it would be so hurtful for Ettie. I couldn't imagine running away only to watch someone else get married instead.”
    He nodded solemnly. “What would you like to do when your brother turns me down, which I am sure he will?”
    “It doesn't matter. It’s not really his choice. One letter to my parents and they will be overjoyed with the union.”
    “Will they now?” he asked with a cocked brow.
    “I seem to have snagged myself a duke,” I said playfully. “I can’t imagine that my mother could be any happier than to hear that.”
    I reached across the table and took his hand. He squeezed it in return. I felt that heat rush up my body. It was that euphoric feeling I had gotten when we kissed. I wasn’t sure if I could wait until the wedding banns were read and everything was done properly. Maybe we should just elope . I shook the thought out of my head.
    We finished our meal, discussing the future, and made our way back up to our separate rooms. Kent was kind enough to deposit me at my door before wishing me goodnight.
    I lay in bed next to Ettie, trying to do my best not to toss and turn. She had been through so much; I didn’t want to wake her. At the same time, I couldn’t sleep knowing that Kent was only a wall away from me.
    All the excitement of our impending future was welling up inside of me. I was impatient to have it finally. I finally decided that I was a brazen girl anyway. I tiptoed out of our room in the dark of the night and over to Kent’s room.
    I opened the door to find a candle still lit. He was lying on his bed, his bare torso leaning against the headboard. He sat up abruptly at my intrusion, but quickly relaxed when he saw that it was me.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked as I made my way over to his bed.
    I didn’t say a word, I just kissed him. I was shaking with anticipation and nerves. I may have been an outspoken chatty girl, but I had never been this bold before.
    He pulled away from me. “We can’t. I won’t ruin your reputation.”
    “I don’t care about that. I want to be with you, and I don’t want to wait for the banns to be read,” I added with an eye roll.
    He smiled at me and