Page 34 of Wedded to the Ruthless Duke

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“Ready?” Philip said impatiently, jumping to his feet as the closing curtain fell.

“You seem in a hurry,” Aaron pointed out, standing too in order to follow him. “I take it you are not going to ignore her tonight then?”

“I have no intention of ignoring her.” Philip hastened out of the box and crossed through the corridors, aware that Aaron was following closely behind him. Aaron said nothing but just fell into step, his movements matching Philip’s own.

When they appeared back in the foyer, Philip craned his neck back and forth, searching for Grace. He was already irritated at her, for he had looked more at her in the opera than he had at the stage. It angered him, and he shifted that fury in her direction though he knew deep down his staring was not of her doing.

I could not look away.

She had worn another one of those ridiculously frilly gowns he could not stand with the high collar. All he had pictured doing as he stared at her in the other box was tearing it from her throat and chest.

“There she is.” Aaron pointed across the foyer.

Grace was indeed there. She was gathered with Eleanor and her other friends as well as Dorain and Xander, Violet’s husband, the Duke of Barlow.

“You’ll come and speak with them?” Philip pleaded as he led the way across the room.

“I promised to come to the opera with you, not to make merry with strangers.”

“Please,” Philip added. “I could do with a friend right now.”

Something in Aaron’s rigid expression softened, and he nodded.

“Thank you.”

Philip crossed close to the group. Grace hadn’t yet noticed his approach, for she was much busier in talking to her friends. When he reached her side, he caught her hand. A breathy gasp escaped her as she turned to face him. With lightning speed, he kissed the back of her hand, not bothering to linger.

If I linger, I’ll be too tempted.

“Your Grace,” she muttered, her tone dark as she curtsied.

“Well, this is interesting,” Lady Celia said from across the group though Philip thought he caught sight of her sister, Violet, elbowing her in the gut to keep her quiet.

“You’re starting whispers,” Dorian added from his place beside Eleanor.

All around the foyer, many people were facing the two of them now that Philip had Grace’s hand in his own. She was trying her best to retract it subtly, but he wouldn’t let her.

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Philip hissed at his brother-in-law, trying to remind him of the way in which he had ended up marrying Eleanor in the first place. “Pay the whisperers no attention,” he said to Grace, noting the way her lips were firmly pressed together.

She was the picture of defiance that was more familiar to him now, her head lifted high. He bent toward her, feeling a longing to make sure the gossipers had something more to talk about. Placing his lips near her ear, he whispered for her only to hear, “I have obtained the special license.”

He then leaned back, watching as her lips parted into a perfect ‘o’ shape. Apparently dumbstruck, he took the opportunity to move on in the conversation.

“Well, everyone,” he said, turning to address the group at large, “meet my friend, Aaron Baxter, the Duke of Rawley.”

“The soldier?” Xander said, clearly recognizing the name at once. He bowed in greeting as did Aaron.

“That’s me. Just returned from the front line.”

The group fell into conversation, leaving Philip the chance to focus on Grace without being watched. His eyes tarried on the high neckline of her gown. He burned to ask her why she wore such ridiculous things. She must have noticed his gaze, for though her head was turned toward the others, as if she paid attention to them, she fidgeted restlessly.

“Did you enjoy the opera, Your Grace?” Diana, often the quietest of the group, spoke up.

Philip turned to see that she had in fact addressed Aaron with these words. To his mind, she seemed a little uncertain of Aaron, perhaps even afraid. She’d ended up standing next to him and didn’t quite dare raise her gaze to meet his as she attempted to make conversation.

“It was fine,” Aaron grunted in reply.

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