Page 19 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

“Good evening, Your Grace,” she echoed, before sitting down and keeping her eyes on him.

“Good evening, Lord Thorne, Lady Arabella,” the Duke returned as Jasmine pulled out the chair at the foot of the table for him. It was the seat to Arabella’s right.

Not too long after the Duke, Sarah and Richard strolled into the dining room. Sarah’s cheeks looked rosy, and even Richard seemed a bit flustered. Arabella smiled at her sister’s happiness and wondered if she and Richard had a good conversation.

“Good evening, Sister, Brother, Duke,” Sarah said, sitting in the chair that was pulled out for her.

Richard said his pleasantries, and they all waited another few minutes for Madeline. Just like always, she was the last to arrive for dinner. Arabella couldn’t help but laugh when her younger sister eventually strolled in, in her morning dress.

Leonard groaned. “Welcome, Sister. We were wondering if you would be joining us,” he said, agitated.

“I apologize, I was very engrossed in my book.” Madeline giggled at his annoyance. “You know, Brother, you are allowed to eat without me while in the comfort of your own house.”

“I was just trying to be polite,” Leo said, trying to sound somewhat playful, as he knew his sister meant no harm. She had always loved picking on him.

“Thank you, Brother,” she quipped.

The first course was served. A light, spring salad with light balsamic dressing served in a large ramekin was placed in front of everyone.

“Duke,” Sarah piped up, “Arabella has been talking my ear off about you and the wedding. Tell me, are you excited for the reception?”

Arabella wanted to stomp on her foot. She knew what Sarah was doing. She was gauging if the Duke was as in love as she supposedly was. Of course, he wasn’t.Neitherof them were.

Plus, she never talked about him like that.

He offered a soft smile and said, “I am very excited about the wedding. I have not felt anything this passionately in a very long time.”

His words hit Arabella hard. He spoke with fire. With passion. He sounded sincere. It made Arabella want to curl up in a ball and apologize. She knew that he was lying through his teeth.

Sarah beamed, showing her teeth. “That is really great to hear. I have always hoped she would find someone who is as fiercely in love with her as she is with him. I don’t know if she told you, but our parents were a true love match.”

“I did not tell him that,” Arabella said with a laugh, trying to slyly let her sister know that she did not appreciate her butting in.

“She did not, but I am glad your parents provided a loving household,” the Duke replied with an almost convincing, genuine smile.

Sarah must have heard the compliment, but Arabella heard the jealousy in his words. They did grow up in a loving house, but something about what he said made her think he did not. She could not imagine a childhood without her parents’ undying love for each other.

She paced herself as best as she could, but her anxiety about the dinner eased and her hunger replaced it.

“So, Your Grace, when your family arrives for the wedding, do you know how many rooms they will require? I am not a fan of procrastination and would like to start the preparations,” Leonard asked after his first bite of ice.

The Duke took a moment to answer, his brow furrowed in thought. “I am not sure yet. A lot of my family has either passed away or are deep in the political trenches.” He laughed uncomfortably. “So, I do not want to tell you a number that may not be correct.”

ChapterSix

Edward was severely unhappy, though he made sure not to show it. Over the last few days, his anger at the situation had increased so much that he almost felt numb. He was never one to talk about his feelings, nor did he think that it was anybody’s business, but he had always wished that there was an easier way to deal with the overwhelming emotions.

He wished he could bring himself to ease Arabella’s worries, but he had yet to ease his frustration and decided he’d rather avoid her than pour it out on her, when she was in no way to be blamed.

He knew that Arabella seemed interested in a night of passion with him. She even asked for one herself. But he knew that she had no idea what she was getting herself into by asking that. He should have known better, considering he was the one with more experience.

Lord Thorne interrupted his train of thought when he asked, “Would anyone else care for a second serving? Creamed ice has always been a weakness of mine.”

That is the last thing I want right now. I feel like I could be sick.

Lord Thorne seemed to be the only one who was hungry enough for extras, so he had a servant bring him more.

It was impossible for Edward to take his eyes off Arabella during dinner. He desperately wanted to leave. He needed space from the family that he was about to become a part of.

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