Page 29 of Bad Duke

“Just wear the ring.” He suddenly snaps the empty box shut, and when he turns to look out the window I get the distinctive impression that I’ve offended him.

We arrive at the restaurant thirty minutes later, and as soon as the driver opens Alex’s door, we’re immediately blinded by flashing lights. Alex manages to get out of the car and help me to my feet, using his body to shield me from all the people pointing cameras at us and shouting out questions. I can barely hear what they are saying, they’re all calling over each other and Alex ignores them as he drags me through them and into the restaurant.

“Your Grace, it’s an honour to have you and your fiancée join us tonight.” The maître d’ greets us with a warm smile as the door swings shut and blocks out all the chaos behind us, and while he leads us to our table Alex keeps a firm grip on my hand.

“I reserved your usual table, sir, but given the circumstances, I could arrange for you to be placed somewhere else.” He looks towards the window next to the table set for two, as the crowd outside positions themselves behind the lit-up hedge at the front of the restaurant. They have the perfect view of us.

“Here is fine, thank you, Frank.” Alex nods at him before pulling out my chair for me and then sitting opposite.

“Are you sure we're okay here?” I question, trying not to look out of the window at all the cameras that are still pointing at us. The words goldfish and bowl spring to mind.

“This is my table.” He raises his shoulders as if the paparazzi outside aren’t a big deal.

“And are you usually stalked by the media when you leave the house?” I question.

“Oh, they’re not here for me,” he sniggers. “They're here for you.”

I almost choke.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a nobody.” I laugh at his suggestion and take a sip of the water that a waiter has just poured into a glass for me.

“That’s far from the truth,” he tells me softly.

When things start to get a little awkward, he laughs, “You’re the hot-as-fuck dancer who’s just become engaged to the ‘Bad Duke’.” He winks as he takes a sip of water himself.

“We’ll take a bottle of the Château Latour, alongside my usual,” he instructs the waiter, without looking at the menu.

“The ‘Bad Duke’?” I frown at him suspiciously.

“Let’s just say I don’t exactly fit the mould of what's expected from a man of my title,” he tells me unapologetically. “I left home when I was eighteen because I couldn’t stand my father and I’ve made my own path since then.”

“A path that led you back here,” I point out, still not understanding why he’s so determined to be someone he doesn’t want to be.

“I’m not expecting you to understand it, it’s something that I feel I have to do. I may not want to follow in my father’s footsteps but I won’t be the Stanley that fucks up.” He sounds passionate and I can see from the determination in his eyes that he won’t fail.

“I get that. And I don’t think for a second that you’ll fuck up.” I smile at him when the waiter returns with a bottle of wine and pours a little into Alex’s glass for him to taste.

“No need, just pour.” Alex shakes his head, and when he places his hand over mine to ensure none gets poured for me I give him a death stare, but I don’t argue.

“I take it you’re a regular here?” I start to block out the fact we’re being watched through the window, and relax.

“I should hope so, I own the place.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

“You own this place?” I check I’m hearing him right. The Vine is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city, you have to wait months to get a reservation. I remember what a big deal Madame Riverty made about bringing Lewis here for his birthday, last summer.

“Yeah, this place and a few others,” he adds.

“You really are filthy rich aren't you?” I shake my head wondering how it must feel to be that successful.

“Pretty much.” His smile doesn’t quite make it to his eyes.

“And that's why you find it hard to trust people.” I see how it must be a curse as much as a blessing.

“Don’t try and figure me out, Olivia, I’m far too complicated,” he warns.

Our food arrives promptly and although I didn’t get a say in what was ordered, I have no complaints. Alex proves he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to food and for the duration of our date he explains about some of the businesses he’s invested in over the years. It must be a wonderful sense of achievement knowing that he made his own fortune and I can’t help wondering if, deep down, his father was proud of that too.

“I can’t believe they’re still out there.” I gesture my eyes out the window when we’re finished and Alex stands up.

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