I Married a Duke

Chapter 1

Everything about the day started out as expected. It was blisteringly hot, even for early summer in Texas. I still biked to my job at the downtown library, because the hot wind still did a fair job of making the ride bearable. Murray, my lazy coworker - forgivably so, for all the breakfast food he brought in every day - was busily browsing the internet.

Morning, Murray. Anything new? I greeted as I settled in at the front desk. Bright light streamed in through the row of front windows. I loved that some of my job meant sitting quietly, reading in such a huge, sunny room, waiting for any visitors needing assistance.

That’s when I saw him. Far too cool for this weather, far too handsome to be real, and far too slick for my tastes. A dark maroon shirt shimmered on his muscled build like a second skin. Darker pants hugged his lower body as he walked with a practiced swagger into the library, whipped off his sunglasses, and smiled like he knew a secret about every place he saw. His eyes skimmed quickly around the room and settled on my booth. I dropped my gaze quickly, but the hair raised on the back of my neck as I heard his light steps draw near.

His shadow fell across my counter and I hoped for a second that Murray might grab this customer, but he hardly looked up from the computer. Damn you, Murray. He was doing that thing where he ignored the customer for a fraction longer than I felt was comfortable, knowing that more often than not, I’d take the bait. I sighed and raised my gaze to the newcomer.

He was even more striking up close. His hands were placed lightly on the desk, long fingers attentively manicured. His eyes were dark like liquid chocolate with flecks of hazel, overlain with thick eyebrows that tapered mischievously at the ends. His jaw was square, strong, and stubbled enough to give him a roguish look. His nose was straight like a Roman statue, prominent enough to be unique and not distracting.

Can I help you? I asked mildly. He smiled and leaned forward. I catch a waft of his light, pleasant cologne.

Yes, actually. You are not busy? He had a slight accent that complimented his extreme attractiveness to an almost annoying degree. I would’ve placed him from somewhere in eastern Europe, but I was no expert.

Not at all. Do you need to find something in particular? I tried not to stare at him. There was something familiar about him. Austin was no stranger to celebrities, but I couldn’t place this young man. He certainly seemed attractive and poised enough to be in the spotlight.

Yes, thank you, he was all politeness, but there was an underlying tone to his words. I felt like he was observing me with excessive attention, like a predator sizing me up for... what? Actually, I am just looking for a particular book.

Of course. I’m happy to help, my voice almost cracked from dryness. He smirked. A surge of annoyance gripped me. This guy must be used to women swooning after him. He surged forward suddenly and my heart leapt as his hand shot across the desk. His scent enveloped me even more. I could feel the warmth of his arm as it grazed my shoulder. He leaned back just as quickly, holding the pen he’d abducted, and wrote down the title and author of the book he needed.

Do you know of this work? his voice was almost a purr. His cavalier attitude set my teeth on edge. I set my mind to doing my job so I could send him on his way.

Oh, sure, we have that. I could almost feel the blush creeping into my face as he smiled, dazzling me with a set of straight white teeth. I turned to the reference shelves and scanned until I saw the book. Of course it had to be on the top shelf, just high enough that I would have to scale a small ladder to reach it, giving the handsome stranger as much of a view of my backside as he wanted. I tried to ignore the feel of his eyes on me and moved up it. Annoyance crept over my skin like an unpleasant sweat in a stuffy room.

The book was massive. ‘Of course it would be,’ I thought as I clumsily balanced it across my forearms while I shimmied my way back down.

Aaaand, here we are, I plopped the book down on the counter. It banged so loudly that my fancy customer jumped. I smiled sweetly and turned to the computer to pull up the checkout screen. Let me just grab your library card and we can- I glanced up and realized I was talking to air. He was gone. Wha? Then I realized the book was gone too. Hey!

My handsome stranger was walking toward the library entrance with the reference book tucked under his arm. No damn way.

I broke into a run, jerking the wood slat partition down behind me with a bang. Murray lurched in surprise, almost sloshing his coffee onto his keyboard.

In a few long strides, I skidded to a stop in front of my prey. He straightened and looked at me with mild amusement.

Hey, uuhh, I panted a little as I pushed my hair out of my face and smoothed my shirt, ...so where do you think you’re going? Smile.

I was, ah, he cocked an eyebrow at me and pointed a manicured finger toward the door, going to go read my book. My brow furrowed.

Oh, okay, sure. Seems reasonable, but that’s a reference book. He stared blankly at me. You know? The books we keep here in the library? That you can’t take with you. A smile was toying at his lips. What was he amused about? Did he think I didn’t know what I was talking about?

He slowly nodded in understanding, but it was clear from the way his eyes were busy trailing up and down me that he wasn’t taking me seriously. ‘Look at the cute little librarian, talking to my gorgeous self as if I care at all about her rules.’ Pu-lease.

They’re not my rules, I spoke my thoughts aloud as I raised my hands defensively, but that’s how it is. I can set you up in a room if you’d like some privacy, though.

The handsome stranger cocked his head to one side as he flashed a ten-point smile. His eyes sparkled dangerously. An annoyed woman pushed her way past us as we obliviously blocked the doors. I started to step to clear the way, but when he made no similar move, I hesitated. I wasn’t going to just let him bolt because I was more polite by nature.

He shifted the book and reached into the lining of his expensive-looking suit jacket. He extracted a wallet, flipped it open, and pulled out a few hundred dollar bills..

How about, his smooth voice was low and pleasant as he folded the bills and handed them toward me between two slim fingers, I pay you a rental fee for your trouble, and I drop it back off when I’m done?

I blinked stupidly at the excessive amounts of money being offered me before my mouth caught up to my brain. I wasn’t quite sure how many bills floated a few inches from my face; I was far too busy being shocked that he was trying to bribe me for a library book.

So... you’re saying you’ll give me that, then... I’ll trust you’ll return the book later, even though you haven’t so much as shown me a library card, and we’ll both go on our merry ways? I clarified. He nodded pleasantly.

If you don’t mind.

I snorted loudly before I could catch myself Murray looked up briefly from whatever internet site he was surfing.

I’m sorry, I stepped closer and waved away his offer, but that’s ridiculous. YOU’RE kind of ridiculous. His eyebrows shot up. And even though your inappropriate bribe is very generous - I’m not even sure how much that is and no, don’t tell me -, it’s not enough to lose my job over. Or to potentially lose a valuable book.

I assure you, I will bring it back. Nevertheless, he obligingly tucked the money away. He shrugged. But I understand. I felt my insides settle a little. I didn’t often encounter anyone who could be this audacious while maintaining such a polite demeanor. If I didn’t know any better, I might have found it charming.  My apologies. If you would show me to the room you mentioned?

I smiled and exhaled in relief.

Certainly, I moved past him and started toward the rooms. No one reserves them at this time of day, so you should be fine taking all the time you need. There was no response. I turned back my mouth dropped. He was gone.

Hey! I squealed as anger gripped me. Seriously?

Yeah, that dude took off, Murray chimed in from his seat behind the counter.

And you didn’t bother stopping him? I glared at my useless coworker.

He shrugged without looking up from his monitor.

I stomped back to my station, fuming. Fine. I’d report the loss, and take a note to kick that guy in the shins if I ever saw him again. Maybe I could draw a really bad picture in his likeness so other librarians would know to look out for the handsome stranger who steals obscure reference texts on sixteenth-century typography.

Chapter 2

The next day I was making a list of the children’s books I wanted to read at the next Tween Read night, when my handsome stranger strode back in. He was confident as ever and looking very good in a casual light grey suit, shirt open at the collar and a little sweat glistening on his