Page 35 of Wedded to the Ruthless Duke

Grace’s hand slipped out of Philip’s own. He turned to see that she had stepped away from the group, waving at another. His gut tightened in anger as she walked a few steps away.

She had seen the Marquess of Morton, who was now approaching her to speak.

The memory of Grace leaning toward the Marquess of Morton on that bench made Philip want to growl aloud. He barely kept himself in check.

“Do you like opera in general?” Diana was trying again to make conversation with Aaron, for the others had broken off into their own chatter.

“Yes.”

“Are you a secret romantic, Your Grace?” She tried a smile, daring to raise her eyes this time to meet Aaron’s though he didn’t seem bothered to look at her at all as he spoke.

“No. I just like that their problems are false.”

Philip sighed. Sometimes, he thought Aaron could have done with a little more tact in conversation. He was as ever, constantly and indisputably honest.

“If you would excuse me, I’ll take my leave for the night.” Aaron bowed to her in parting and then to Philip too. “I’ll call on you soon.”

“Goodnight,” Philip said woodenly, for he was keen not to pay attention to Aaron and Diana anymore. His eyes slid to where Grace and the Marquess of Morton were talking together. She laughed heartily at something he said. Philip’s palms grew clammy, and he stepped away from the group. “Lord Morton,” he cut easily into the conversation, struggling to force a smile.

Clearly remembering their meeting from a couple of nights ago, Lord Morton’s smile faltered.

“Oh, erm, Your Grace.” Lord Morton bowed in an odd and alarmed way. “We were just talking.”

“So I saw.” Philip took hold of Grace’s hand. “If you would excuse us.” Without another word, he drew her away.

She was so startled by it that she stumbled, nearly falling into him. He halted enough to look back at her with raised eyebrows.

“Do you have to fall over even if there isn’t anything to trip on?”

“Do you have to interrupt every conversation I have with Lord Morton?” she hissed, mimicking his tone.

He led her all the way back to the group, taking a firmer hold of her hand now.

“Grace.” He moved his lips close to her ear again. “You must not smile like that at other men.”

“What do you mean?” She leaned away from him, so they could look one another in the eye. “You were the one who assured me he was… you know.” She hastened to explain with a wave of her hand, looking around them. Plainly, she didn’t want to be the guilty party to oust Lord Morton’s secret in public.

“You belong to me now,” he reminded her in a heated tone. He drew her hand across his arm, settling it into the crook of his elbow. “Not to him.”

Her honeyed eyes narrowed. It was a perfect look, one that both riled him and antagonized him all at the same time, so he was quite lost as he stared at her. He could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, feel the sweatiness of his palm as he held onto her, and most of all, he could hear her breathing.

“You forget something, Your Grace.” She spoke with flawless rebellion. “I do not belong to you yet.”

That low growl escaped him which he had been doing his best to keep in check before.

She will.

He was picturing everything now as he stared at her. He imagined tearing her free from that ridiculous gown. He saw himself untying her stays with his teeth then grabbing her chemise and throwing it over her head. He wouldn’t be happy until she was completely bare beneath him, without a stitch on her.

Only when all her curves were on show would he take that perfect body. He would slide himself into her when she was ready, when she was panting for him, her core wet and aching for him.

“What does that look mean?” she whispered.

“You don’t want to know.” He tore his gaze away from her. He thought so much of that wedding night, he could feel his length stirring in his trousers.

“Well, perhaps it’s time we depart for the night,” Dorian said from nearby. “We shall escort you home now.”

“Allow me,” Philip cut in. He had no desire to lose Grace from his arm just yet. “I’ll take Ladies Grace and Diana home. Lady Violet, you can get back to your child sooner, and Eleanor, you can get some rest.”

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