Page 57 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

She could barely focus on the carpets and drapes as the man showed her the fabrics. She smiled at the thought of being in Jonathan’s arms again, counting the seconds until that evening when she would remain true to her promise.

The night of the ball had arrived swiftly. Arm in arm, Ciara and Jonathan entered the ballroom together, and she knew that all eyes were on them, even though the place was alive with laughter, music, and the rustle of elegant gowns.

She felt her heart beating inside her throat. She hated being the center of attention, but with Jonathan by her side, she knew she would be. However, as they walked through the crowd, she felt him squeeze her hand tight, trying to reassure her. When they stopped a bit further away from the hustle and bustle, he leaned closer to her, his breath warm against her ear.

“You look magnificent,” he whispered, his gaze earnest. “I wish I could keep you all to myself tonight. I have a few things in mind we could do that would be far more entertaining than this.”

Ciara felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she bit her lip, torn between the thrill of his words and the awareness of the eyes watching them. The electric energy of the moment made her heart race. She turned slightly, catching his gaze, and saw the playful glint in his eyes.

“Well, you’ll just have to share me,” she replied teasingly, a smile dancing on her lips. Then, she added with a seductive glance that only he could see, “For now.”

Jonathan chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich. “A challenge, then. But I have no intention of letting anyone else claim your attention tonight.”

With a sense of exhilaration, Ciara stepped further into the ballroom, her confidence buoyed by Jonathan’s compliment.

As they greeted the hosts, she felt a newfound sense of confidence, a stark contrast to the timid girl she once was. After a few words of pleasantries, she turned around, spotting familiar faces. She and Jonathan excused themselves, walking in the direction of Adeline.

“Look who it is!” Adeline exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she rushed over.

Right behind her, Penelope followed closely, beaming with delight. It seemed that her two best friends were there, waiting for her.

The girls exchanged warm embraces, and then Ciara noticed James, Penelope’s husband, approaching with her uncle. She beamed at the sight of Uncle Brendan, greeting them both.

Now, surrounded by her dearest people, she felt even more at ease.

“You look so lovely, Ciara,” Penelope said, her enthusiasm infectious. Her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes traversed Ciara’s face in search of something. “There is a liveliness about you that is simply radiant.”

“Yes, whathaveyou been doing, my dear?” Adeline teased, and everyone chuckled at Ciara’s blushing cheeks.

“I suppose that is what happens when you lead a good life,” Ciara said softly, stealing a glance at Jonathan, only to return her gaze to the huddled group. “It is so wonderful to see you all here,” she added, her smile genuine.

Her uncle had a proud look on his face as he spoke. “I must say, I never thought I would see you smiling in such a relaxed manner at a ball. You’ve truly come a long way, my dear. It is remarkable to witness.”

Ciara felt a rush of gratitude for their support and friendship. They continued to chat for a while longer when Jonathan’s friend, Lord Islington, strode over. He greeted Jonathan with a clap on the shoulder before turning to Ciara.

“Ah, the lovely Duchess, how are you this fine evening?” he asked, kissing her hand reverently.

He then noticed the group and proceeded to greet everyone present.

Soon enough, the conversation flowed freely.

Jonathan glanced at Ciara, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He took her by the hand, bringing it to his lips. “But I want to dance with my wife.”

“Of course,” she smiled back, accepting the offer.

Ciara followed Jonathan toward where the dancing was taking place.

The music spread all around them, and the couples began to twirl and glide across the polished floor. Penelope and James joined them, laughing and chatting as they stepped into the rhythm of the dance. The atmosphere was electric, filled with joy and the promise of a memorable evening.

As Ciara and Jonathan began to dance, the world around them faded into a blur. With each turn and step, she felt the excitement of the night enveloping her, their movements in perfect harmony.

Jonathan’s presence was steadying, and she found herself lost in that perfect moment.

CHAPTER 27

As the first sounds of the music were heard, the dance between Ciara and Jonathan became more than just a series of practiced steps. Their movements were fluid and synchronized, each turn and spin drawing them closer together. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them in the center of the ballroom.

Jonathan’s hand rested lightly on Ciara’s waist, his other hand clasping hers with a gentle but firm grip. The intensity of their connection grew with each passing moment, and he felt his emotions for her deepening, becoming harder to ignore. His heart raced as he looked into her eyes, the vibrant green capturing his attention completely.

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