𝐃𝐔𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆.

her exchange with the spanish prince occupies her every thought despite her wishes to think about anything else, even the haunting prospect of her mother finding a gentleman to spend her days with. anything was preferable to fixating on the strange truths she learned. with a sigh, she attempts to shift her focus to the scenery as she walks along the lakeside. it truly was a beautiful day — sun shining, climate pleasant, flowers blooming. immediately, she finds herself wondering if she should locate her siblings and occupy herself with their wants and needs for the remainder of the day. she was certain anthony was terrorising everyone around him whilst kate and colby were on their outing. that is where she should be, she decides, with family. however, when she moves to search for her eldest brother, a familiar voice pulls her out of her thoughts and she directs her attention toward the voice. "duke ledger," she greets with a gentle smile, offering him a curtsy. "it seems that they are," she nods, chuckling softly, "one hopes that you are not as foolish?"

he's quick to join her, though before he reaches her, his fingers snap the stem of a single daisy from the bush beside them, offering it to her with a gentle smile. ❝ surely not, miss daphne, as their mistake is my gain. ❞ he's easy to flirt with the young bridgerton, offering her his arm without so much as a question. her company was preferable to the other simpering woman. ❝ i consider myself truly lucky to be in your company, i fear i shall never be one to leave you alone, unless you ask for it. ❞ he chuckles, though his thoughts weigh heavy, their is a lightness in her company that he likes, an ease of conversation. ❝ should you care to promenade or should i accompany you to where you were headed ? ❞

"you know apart from the odd picnic here and there, the day has been rather dull. i was hoping that someone would make a mess of something."

he offers a laugh, subtle enough not to attract the attention of others, but still enough for the other to notice. ❝ the night is young, is it not ? surely you could be the one to stir up something. ❞

his voice easily brought a smile to her face as she neared his side. "dark horse," her voice holding a graceful tone as she looked out in front of them. "me, grow bored of you?" looking up at him in mock shock she clutched her chest gently, "i could never," her tone taking on more of the dramatics. "and here i thought you had found another lady to sweep off her feet."

❝ you flatter a gentleman too much. ❞ he teases, chuckling at her reactions. ❝ i've found plenty of ladies to sweep off their feet, but no one reacts quite like you, miss primrose. ❞ he smiles, shaking his head at her. ❝ do tell me you are not going to send me away ? ❞

her heart races and she cannot help but notice the way he looks at her, nor can she ignore her own desire to draw closer to him with every breath. she can only imagine what it must be like to press one's lips against another's, having been tempted by the thought once before. her gaze darts down to his lips once again before locking onto his eyes, a mischievous smile on her lips. "perhaps i do, perhaps i do not ... i have heard many a story about you, sir colby."

his own tongue parts lips slightly, wetting the dry skin with ease, subtly, as he watches her smile stretch across her mouth, he cannot help but watch her a moment. ❝ and tell me, what do they say of me ? do they turn you away, do they make you want to know more ? ❞

standing in front of him she felt her eyes narrow ever so slightly, she knew that he was stubborn all of them could be when they wanted to be. "you're truly not going to give this up are you?" her voice was soft as she took a small step back and squared her shoulders. "as i shall always worry for you, but i'm afraid it's not as easy to speak of as you would like it to be," her tone soft yet not arguing.

❝ of course not. ❞ he tells her, unashamed of being as stubborn as he was, but he made a vow many years to always protect his siblings, and he stuck by it. ❝ are you afraid of what i may think, of what i may say ? ❞ he questions, though his brow dips in confusion, he was just trying to understand. ❝ has someone said something to you ? ❞

her arms tightened around him as she felt his lips brushing against her own, the moment not near long enough for her to truly enjoy it. "dark corners, mid day, wherever you whisk me away too you will surely find that i will not complain," she breathed softly as she held herself close to him. without a second thought she selfishly leaned forward, her lips capturing his once more for a much better taste of the the man that confused and captivated her.

like a spider trapped in a web, he was hers in this moment, her words are like honey, and he cannot help but briefly wonder if she is like this now, because of him, but more so he thinks it is just her. her lips cover his own, in no brief touch, not as she pulls herself closer. he is thankful, not for his sake, but for her own modesty that the room around them was far too occupied among themselves, allowing a small sliver of privacy in broad daylight, his eyes close as lips move before he's pulling back. he doesn't want to, his movements slow, in favour of stopping before they get far too carried away. ❝ then we should perhaps disappear from wandering eyes. ❞

"yes well my father always did tell me as i was growing up never to let anyone else dictate my future," she confessed as a fond smile crossed her lips. "i guess i truly took that to heart and never let anything hold me back whether it be in actions or in words," and it was true, she was never one to be held back by anything.

❝ your father was a smart man. ❞ he compliments, finding that he very much enjoyed her company, he enjoyed the brazen attitude she displayed. ❝ because it's seemed to build a charming young woman, it's a wonder no one has successfully swept you off your feet yet. ❞

"you know," pausing she felt her tongue dart out to wet her lips as she studied his face, her flirtatious words halting on her tongue, "most men would scatter when faced with a woman such as myself." and it was true there weren't many that could give shot for shot and she was impressed, "why do you not?" her curiosity had gotten the better of her, the small voice within her mind would not shut up.

his brow rose at the question, he knew some men to be scared of smart women, of independent women, but him, he found the demureness of a woman to be taxing, careful not to step over the delicate line between flirtatious and devious, women like primrose, in their own right, we exciting and bold, and most times he favoured someone to converse with rather than simply flatter him. ❝ because, sweet rose, you don't scare me. i find myself completely in awe of you. ❞

an almost wicked grin graced her lips as she reached down to run her right hand through his dark locks before she gained her grip on the strands , pulling her head back slightly , " such a good boy , following my instructions . now , how should i reward you ? " a soft hum left her lips as dark hues gazed downwards at the male .

whatever chuckle the he begins, breaks with her grip in his hair and he can't help with almost feral grin that. ❝ you'll soon learn, i'm only good so long as it benefit me. ❞ it could sound like a threat, but to her, lacking the malice of a threat, it is a promise as he peers up at her. ❝ i could easily think of a few ways to reward such a thing, but they do require you on your back. ❞

a smirk danced across her lips as she stared at him for a moment longer, he truly was intriguing and she found her attention captivated by him. he was different than most, his confidence was addicting and the way he held himself wasn't bad either. "well i suppose it all depends on how good you turn out to be," she challenged as she took a step closer to him.

❝ you tell me when and where, and i can certainly show you how good i am. ❞ he flirts with ease, blue eyes never faltering in their gaze upon her, unflinching as she moves closer, simply letting her invade his space. who was he to deny her, her wants.

it was rare for a man and a simple pet name to make her knees weak, yet here she was wanting to sink to the ground and fan herself because of this man. "do you tell all the ladies that or do you only save it for the special ones?" she teased questioningly as she moved her own hands to grasp his sides gently. "you mean to tell me that you haven't figured it out yet? simply attention is what will do it, i'm just as bad as miss cowper... if not worse," primrose held nothing but a jesting tone in her voice, her eyes glowing with laughter at her own small joke.

❝ only the select few. ❞ truly he had only come across a few women he would flatter, but primrose would be among his favourite. the conversation flows with ease, he finds himself at ease around her. ❝ the thing is, miss lockhart, is that my cowper, is as insufferable as her mother. ❞ he chuckles, his touch is soft as his finger move a stray hand from her face. ❝ you could beg for all my attention in the world and yet you'd have it always in the palm of your hand. ❞ he flatters.