Page 10 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“I didn’t kiss him,” Ciara frowned in her defense. “He kissed me first.”

“Well, you didn’t need to kiss him back, and yet, you did,” Adeline grinned. “But I digress. What happened then?”

Ciara looked down at her feet, still feeling the burn in her cheeks, but if there was anyone in the entire world to whom she could tell the entire story without any fear of being judged, that person was Adeline. They had been friends for about a year now, and despite that time being relatively short, they knew everything there was to know about each other. Their meeting was the union of two same souls, recognizing each other, and they had spent much time together since then.

“It turned out that he thought I was someone else,” Ciara divulged with a pang of displeasure. “He apologized but not as a normal person would apologize.”

“But as a mad person would?” Adeline asked, chuckling. It was obvious that she was enjoying herself immensely.

Ciara frowned, pretending to be offended. “If you keep up with those comments, I shan’t tell you another thing more.”

“Oh, no! No, please,” Adeline was still chuckling. “I was unable to resist. The story is just too much, especially for you. I would have expected it to happen to anyone else but you. That is why I am so utterly amused by the whole thing.”

“Well, that makes you and him,” Ciara pouted, remembering the man’s reaction. “I was not amused. Not the least bit.”

“Oh, but I beg to differ,” Adeline teased, taking her friend’s hand into her own. “Now, what happened after his mad person apology?”

Ciara lifted an eyebrow at her friend then she continued. The truth was, she would have continued no matter what Adeline said. She wanted her friend to know everything.

“Yes, he apologized, but he made it appear as if I were as much to blame as he was,” she scoffed. “Imagine that. As if I had been just lingering there, waiting for him to come and kiss me out of the blue. Preposterous!”

“Most certainly,” Adeline mused. “And scandalous as well.”

“He even had the audacity to flirt with me afterward!” Ciara was blushing again, and she could not help it. “Quite shamelessly at that.”

“And you have no idea who this man might be?” Adeline wondered, her head tilting slightly.

Ciara shook her head. “No, I don’t. But he seemed so confident, so utterly certain of himself. It was unnerving.”

“All jesting aside now,” Adeline spoke tenderly albeit gravely, “did anyone see you two? You know what would happen if they did.”

“I know,” Ciara agreed, her own tone changing with the tone of the conversation. “I don’t think anyone saw us… fortunately.”

“Good,” Adeline said with a sigh of relief. “Because that could have been quite an expensive kiss in terms of repercussions. A man who behaves in such a careless manner is certainly bad news. I believe you should pretend you do not know him if you see him again.”

Ciara nodded though a part of her rebelled against the notion. “You are right, of course. It was an improper encounter, and I shall do my best to avoid him if I see him again.” Her voice somehow trailed off, and she looked away as if there was yet another, unspoken truth left inside of her.

Adeline, who knew her friend all too well, studied Ciara’s face, her eyes narrowing slightly. “But… you wish to see him again, don’t you?”

Ciara’s blush deepened, and she met Adeline’s gaze with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. “I cannot explain it, Adeline. There was something about him, something that stirred my curiosity. I know it is foolish, but I cannot help but wonder if our paths will cross again.”

“Was the kissthatgood?” Adeline teased.

Ciara chuckled. “Well, yes, it was quite good.”

“I hope that man never hears that,” Adeline’s words sounded like a premonition. “He already sounds so full of himself, and I have not even seen him or exchanged a single word with him.”

Ciara had to admit that everything her friend said was true. The man was full of himself. The man was bad news. And yet, she wanted to see him again, despite all common sense.

Adeline sighed, reaching out to squeeze Ciara’s hand. “Just promise me you will be careful. The world is full of charming rogues, and I would hate to see you hurt by one.”

“I promise,” Ciara replied softly though in her heart, she knew that the thrill of the encounter had left an indelible mark. She could only hope that fate would guide her wisely, whether or not it brought the mysterious stranger back into her life. “I reallydon’t need any further complications in my life. I promised Uncle I would steer clear of trouble, and that is what I intend to do.”

“Unless trouble findsyou,” Adeline pointed out. “Which seems to be exactly what happened here.”

“Goodness,” Ciara sighed, shaking her head. “I just want to live my life, free from any judgment, a life on my own terms where I am in no one’s way. Is that too much to ask?”

“No,” Adeline assured her. “That is what everyone wishes for. But unfortunately, it is much more difficult to obtain for some than for others.”

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