«Your grace!» I start, more surprised by his move than bothered. «I told you that I'm indisposed. It means that we can't...»
«I know, I know,» he whispers, emulating my low, conspiratorial tone. «I'm not trying to do anything!»
I blink surprised.
«I just wanted to warm my Duchess up,» he continues as if he's talking of the weather. «You seem to be freezing.»
«And how do you think to warm me?»
He grins cunningly and caresses my cheek tenderly. Then, he moves his hand to the back of my head and prevents me from turning away. He presses his lips on mines, waiting for my reaction.
«I really can't, right now,» I remind him.
«I know,» he sighs and bites my lower lip until I concede and let him kiss me.
I surround his neck with my arms and close my eyes. We kiss for a time that's hard to define until the Duke splits from me.
«It's cold, go to bed,» he whispers to my ear.