Page 52 of A Bride for the Rakish Duke

William turned his head just a little and let his eyes do the talking for him. A threatening glare that hit its mark instantly. The gentleman lowered his gaze and backed off, muttering an unintelligible apology.

That warning glare seemed to have cast a spell around him, inviting no one to start a conversation, keeping others away. The ladies who had been casting sideways glances at him didnot dare to look in his direction now, and the gossip died in his vicinity.

At that moment, Lydia and her partner danced past him, swinging one another around in giddy circles.

Her eyes widened as she finally spotted her husband, and her lips parted in a soft gasp. She missed the next step, grabbing her partner’s arm to hold herself steady, before picking up the dance once more.

William watched it all with an entirely blank expression, though it was a different story inside. He simmered with a quiet fury, bubbling with jealousy he refused to acknowledge, smoldering with the rampant desire to peel that tortuous gown from her body as slowly as possible, for it was far too beautiful to tear it off her.

Lydia wished the music would never end. Not because she wanted to keep dancing with the Earl, but so she would not have to cease and face her husband. He was standing there as calm and still as a statue, but she had never seen any statue with eyes that burned like that.

She was in trouble, she knew that much.

“Are you well?” the Earl of Gorsley asked.

Lydia forced a smile. “Of course, Lord Gorsley.”

Not at all, Lord Gorsley. Indeed, I feel quite sick.

“You look rather pale,” he insisted.

“I am always pale. My mother forever commanded that I was not allowed even a hint of sunlight on my face, lest I gain a solitary freckle.” She attempted a smile.

The Earl chuckled, and behind him, Will’s eyes darkened. Lydia’s nerves began to roar, her legs turning wobbly. But nerves were a waste of time when she should have been formulating her excuses.

“You are delightful, Your Grace,” the Earl said. “So very amusing for one so young.”

Lydia was about to respond when the music came to a close. The Earl laughed and dipped into another elegant bow while Lydia bobbed a shaky curtsy.

“That was wonderful,” he said. “Thank you kindly. I wish I had requested two dances now.”

“You had one,” Will’s cold voice cut in. “That is one more than any other. Be grateful for that.”

Lydia’s heart threatened to stop, her hands trembling so violently that she folded them both against her stomach.

The Earl balked. “Your Grace, I did not see you there. I was just saying how delightful your wife has been. She is an excellent dancer.”

“I heard what you were saying.” Will stepped between Lydia and the Earl, his searing gaze burning into her. His hand closed around her wrist as he whispered, “We are done here.”

She would have asked what he meant, but he made it clear a moment later when he tugged her forward, pulling her through the crowds to the exit. She made a vain attempt to resist, for she could not leave without saying farewell to her sister and her friends. Indeed, she had no reason to leave at all—according to other duchesses, she had done nothing wrong.

“Will, stop,” she hissed. “You are hurting me.”

He was not, but he did not need to know that.

He let go of her wrist, but before she had a chance to enjoy the release, he was at her side with his arm around her, ushering her out of the ballroom all the same.

“I am not ready to depart,” she insisted. “If I leave now, without a word, it will seem rude. Joanna has put a great deal of effort into this ball—the least I can do is thank her for a lovely evening.Or whatwasa lovely evening until you came along and ruined it.”

She waited for their usual banter, hoping to break the tension that way, but he appeared to lack any hint of amusement or desire to have a repartee.

“Where are your belongings?” Will asked curtly.

Lydia frowned. “Half are in my guest chamber, half are still in the carriage.”

He signaled to one of the servants, informing them to gather a few other men to remove her belongings from her chambers and load them onto her carriage.

“And wake the driver if he is not already at his post. We are leaving,” he added.

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