Page 3 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“Yes,” she said, her eyes narrowing at him, like a hunter eyeing his prey. “I am calling that favor. Now.”

“Not now,” he whined again, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, now,” she repeated amusedly. “You said I could use it whenever I wanted. I want it now.”

“Oh, for fu?—”

“No cursing,” she interrupted him, walking over to him and pretending to clean his shoulders. “You owe me, remember? I saved you from the unbearable affections of Lady Helena Whitley and her mother when they cornered you during that ball at Lord Cunningham’s.” She chuckled to herself. “I still remember the look on your face. Weren’t they showering you with questions which dangerously neared the subject of courtship and marriage?”

He frowned. “You know well that Lady Helena’s mother was an old friend of my late mother’s. I could not just excuse myselfwithout a proper reason, and one always lacks the ability to lie when the circumstances require it the most.”

“And then, I saved you… for a price. Now, do slip into something more… appropriate, my dear. I shall wait for you in the carriage.”

She leaned to kiss him on the cheek and then waltzed out of the parlor victoriously.

Jonathan raked his fingers through his hair. He sighed heavily, shaking his head at himself. He headed upstairs, wondering what the day would bring. Whatever it was, he was absolutely certain he wouldn’t like it.

CHAPTER 2

“Ithink everyone is looking at me,” Ciara whispered to her friend, Adeline Middleton, who stood next to her in the middle of the garden party.

Although the sprawling gardens, meticulously manicured with vibrant blooms, offered a respite from the hustle and bustle of busy London streets, Ciara could not rest easy. She could feel the weight of countless eyes upon her. She took a deep breath in an effort to steady her nerves.

“How could they not?” Adeline replied reassuringly as she always did. “You look lovelier than a rose in full bloom.”

Ciara chuckled. Her gown truly was the color of a red rose, a daring choice she would not have chosen if Adeline had not persuaded her into it, and now, she felt awkward and out of place. “Did you read that in a book?”

“Actually, yes,” Adeline replied, and both girls laughed melodiously.

Adeline’s presence had always been a balm to Ciara’s frayed nerves, a constant source of comfort and stability. Social events such as this one always felt overwhelming, especially the constant whispers and furtive glances which unsettled her more than she was willing to admit. She felt as if everyone could see right through her into her very soul and pick apart everything she had been so desperately trying to keep together ever since she had been rescued from the nunnery by Penelope, Adeline’s sister, and her husband, James.

“I feel like everyone seems eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous Miss Everton,” Ciara said mockingly. “I feel as if I am under severe scrutiny.”

Adeline nodded sympathetically. “I can imagine. But remember, most of these people are just curious. Their lives are infinitely dull, and when someone has had… as many adventures as you have, it is natural for them to want to know all about it.”

“Adventures?” Ciara laughed, appreciating the word her friend used. “That is the last thing I would call my life, but I suppose that is one way to look at it.”

“It is all about perspective, my dear Ciara,” Adeline chirped, looking about. “And curiosity is an omnipresent human condition.”

Ciara glanced around, noticing the subtle stares and whispers among the guests. She could feel their scrutiny like a physical presence, making her skin prickle with discomfort. “Curiosity or gossip, it’s all the same to me. I just want to get through this without making a spectacle of myself.

Adeline reached out and squeezed her hand. “You are doing wonderfully, Ciara. And if anyone dares to say otherwise, they will have to answer to me.”

Ciara could not help but laugh softly at that. “Thank you, Addie. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Thankfully, you will never have to find out,” Adeline said with a wink. “Now, how about we go find something to drink? A glass of lemonade should help take the edge off. Or maybe something a bit stronger?”

“No, lemonade will be fine,” Ciara shook her head, wondering how that might look, served on top of the tales that had already been spinning about her in the ton.

As they walked towards the refreshment table, Ciara felt a bit of her tension ease. With Adeline by her side, she could face the whispers and the stares. For the first time that afternoon, she allowed herself to enjoy the beauty of the garden, the warmth of the sun on her skin, and the simple pleasure of a friend’s company. However, that moment of serenity didn’t last long.

Ciara immediately noticed her coming. Miss Sarah Danforth, the daughter of the Viscount of Hartford, was in the company of twoof her friends, whom Ciara did not know by name. Sarah was known for her unforgiving tongue and penchant for gossip, and Ciara could immediately notice the flicker of malice in the young woman’s eyes as she approached them, leading her two friends with her.

“Oh, Miss Everton!” Sarah began, her voice laden with false sweetness, the likes of which Ciara could immediately recognize. “Fancy meeting you here!”

“Miss Danforth,” Ciara nodded curtly at her then nodded one more time in the direction of her friends, who seemed equally amused by what was happening as Sarah herself was.

“Hello, Miss Danforth,” Adeline shot her own cold greeting, but Sarah gave her a dismissive smile, focusing once again on Ciara.

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