Page 50 of Wedded to the Ruthless Duke

It’s impossible. He has made it clear with his rules that it can never be anything more.

She glanced at Philip across the room.

At last, he looked her way. It was brief as anything, and there was no heat in that gaze. It was ice cold then his eyes moved away, as if he had not looked at his wife at all but a stranger on the street.

* * *

“I think it’s time to go, Mother, don’t you?” Philip suggested as kindly as he could. He managed to catch his butler’s arm nearby, whispering in his ear. “Would you have everyone’s frock coats and pelisses fetched, please? That might persuade them to start to leave.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” His butler nodded and hurried off to do his duty at once.

“Already? Is it time to go?” His mother, Allesandra, was sipping from her glass of champagne, looking around the ballroom with wide eyes.

Dusk had now started to fall. What had started as a wedding breakfast had become a complete ball with the celebrations continuing long into the evening. Philip didn’t mind that his guests were enjoying themselves, but what did upset him was the fact he was being kept away from his new wife.

The memory of her touch in the study, the way she had moaned his name, was too distant now — he was determined to relive that memory as swiftly as possible.

“Mother,” Philip said, taking her arm, “I hope you have enjoyed yourself?”

“Of course, I have,” she murmured sweetly, laying her hand over his on her arm as he led her toward the exit of the ballroom. He was relieved to see that others were now taking their cue as the musicians were finished.

Some drunken men were plaiting their legs as they walked toward the door as other ladies tried to walk as smoothly as possible, pretending they were not in the slightest in their cups.

“It is a pleasure to see you married at last, Philip,” Allessandra said with a soft tone. “I have worried for so long that you might not take a wife.” Distracted, she fiddled with her pearl necklace, staring into the distance, looking quite lost.

I know that look.

Philip’s protective streak toward his mother rose within him.

I will not let Grace suffer as she suffered being married to my father.

“Well, now I am married,” Philip said softly. “No need for further worry. Will you stay in London for long?”

“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I will stay with Eleanor tonight, and then tomorrow, I’ll return to the country seat. I prefer it there. You know that.”

Philip smiled rather sadly at her.

“I know,” he said soothingly. “Write to me if you need anything, won’t you?”

“Of course.” She nodded. “Yet do not think too much of me now, Philip. You have your own wife to think of.” She laughed and stepped away, moving toward Eleanor, who was leaning somewhat heavily on Dorian’s arm by the front door of the house.

Philip stepped toward his sister with concern, but she waved him off with an easy smile, pushing her spectacles up her nose.

“I am fine; do not worry yourself,” she assured him. “I am merely tired after being on my feet all day.” She laid a hand over her swollen stomach. “Dorian, take us home.”

To Philip’s relief, Dorian caringly steered Eleanor out of the door. For all the objections Philip had had about Dorian in the past, he did have to accept in that moment that Dorian did protect Eleanor. He would be a better husband to Eleanor than their father was to their mother.

Philip stood calmly by the front door as his guests moved past him. He wished goodbye to Xander and Violet as they left too and to Aaron, who said very little as he shook Philip’s hand. Soon enough, all of his guests were on the gravel driveway, climbing into carriages to leave at last.

When they were finally gone, Philip kicked the door shut. He leaned against it, sighing loudly as he looked around the entrance hall. Back through the ballroom door, he could see his staff were busy already, tidying up. Yet beside the door, Grace stood very still.

Her hands were bundled in her gown, her head turned toward him as she bit her lip.

“You have avoided me all day,” she said sharply. “Are you tired of me already?”

You have no idea what you’re talking about.

He walked toward her, unable to say a word. Infuriated, he had wanted all his guests to leave hours ago though no one took the hint each time he suggested it. He supposed he should have been glad all their friends and family wished to stay for so long with them to celebrate, but he wasn’t.

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