Page 25 of My Ruthless Duke

Matthew laughed, seeming to relive the memory in his mind’s eye. “I wasconvincedshe would somehow see the crumbs in my pockets before I had even had a chance to eat them. Your powers of persuasion were dangerously effective, even then.”

Cordelia’s cheeks were starting to hurt from laughing as much as she was. “Oh, but I only did it to protect you! You were always too bold for your own good."

“Ah, and now you wield that same power over an entire household as a duchess. I daresay the duke has no chance at all.”

And that was about as effective as water doused over her head. Her smile flickered. It was hard enough to relive the feeling of the duke’s hands on hereverytime she had to think about him. Even just the slightest passing glance of the man was enough to set her aflame. It was humiliating if she was being honest. Her only relief was knowing that the probability that he knew about how he affected her was slim to none. “Perhaps not, but I assure you, I use my influence far more judiciously these days.”

She did not honestly feel as if she hadanyinfluence these days, actually.

It was almost as if every choice that she attempted to make in this house was the wrong one or that she was disturbing something that she ought not. Lord knew that her husband did not care for her mother being here. Even Mary seemed to be slightly vexed over the influence that Lavinia might have over young Georgie.

The small clock on the mantel chimed the hour. It would not be long now before she would have to track down her mother and force her to have tea with her. If she did not watch the older woman through the entirety of the day, then she would simply have wine for all her meals. It was not a habit that she could allow to continue. It seemed almost impossible to dry Lavinia out, but she needed to at least try. Cordelia tried not to be resentful of her mother or the position that she was continually put into because of her, but it was certainly much more difficult whenever it meant that it also made her position with the duke more complicated.

“Oh, is that the time? I have dominated far too much of your afternoon,” Matthew continued as he pulled his pocket watch from his vest to verify the hour. “I had hoped to perhaps see my aunt before I left. How is she?”

Cordelia attempted once more to force a smile. Her shoulders shrugged softly, and she shook her head. “You know that my mother is a woman of her own mind. I shall be sure to send her your regrets for not meeting with her.”

Matthew stood, understanding the implications of her words, his gaze lingering on her in a way that made her somewhatuncomfortable. “It was absolutely lovely to see you again, Cousin. We truly ought to spend less time apart. I always find your company so very enthralling.”

“Of course.” Cordelia’s smile tightened. She could not get Dorian out of her mind. Something in her gut told her that he would not care for the way that Matthew was speaking to her. Then again, he did not seem to care for many things at all.

“Well then, I suppose I should take my leave before I tempt fate, and you send me scurrying off like those poor gardeners you terrorized with your royal commands,” Matthew added with a knowing wink.

Cordelia could not stop herself from playfully shoving her cousin’s arm. “I never terrorized anyone! Look at me, I am tiny. And harmless.”

Matthew grinned impishly. Most of her memories of him were from their childhood, back when things had been so simple. “Oh, of course not. Though I distinctly recall your ability to strike fear with nothing more than a raised finger. Truly, a talent.”

Cordelia scrunched her nose, poking at his ribs as she spoke and teasing him right back. “And yet, you still risked visiting.”

Matthew laughed and moved evasively from her sharp fingers. “Only because I have spent years honing my skill in strategic retreats.”

“Honestly, Matthew, you make me laugh more than anyone. I had missed this,” Cordelia snorted; a very unladylike noise that she swallowed so quickly she almost choked when the duke walked into the room.

He eyed the pair of them curiously and moved to stand beside Cordelia. His hand warmed her waist as he pulled her toward him possessively.

“I see you have found a way to entertain my duchess. Quite the talent you have, making light of things, Mr.…?” Dorian said, his expression and tone flat.

“Lord Debonaire, Your Grace.” To his credit, Matthew did not seem intimidated in the slightest, which was a talent in and of itself.

“We were merely sharing a few fond memories with my cousin, Your Grace. Lovely to see you again,” Matthew answered with an easy, comfortable smile.

Dorian tensed beside her. Was there something more to this conversation that she was somehow missing? Why did her husband seem so vexed?

“Ah, but surely, some memories are best left in the past, would you not agree?” Dorian said, and every word somehow managed to sound like a threat.

“Do-Your Grace, we were just having a bit of fun. You are more than welcome to join us,” Cordelia added, softening deliberately under his touch and turning into his side as if that would make him soften as well.

“No, thank you. Some of us have actual work to do on a weekday afternoon.”

Matthew bristled under the slight but said nothing.

Cordelia could not breathe. The very last thing that she wanted was for her husband and her cousin to start arguing right here. It would ruin her whole morning.

Dorian leaned in to kiss the top of her forehead, something that he had never done before, and walked out of the parlor. She could tell how angry he was from the tension to his shoulders alone, even if she did not have the faintest clue as to why he could be angry. She had not done anything wrong. He could not think that she was going to spend the rest of her time here, never hosting her friends, did he?

Or, was it merely the fact that it was Matthew?

“I apologize for overstaying my welcome. I…”

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