Page 53 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

What does he want from me?

She swallowed, having a feeling she knew exactly what he wanted. In the days since he had been in her bed, her longing for him had grown tenfold. She wished to feel his touch again, to feel his hands on her… Could it be the same for him? Was this distance making that passion burn stronger in him too?

Don’t do it.

Celia scowled. She’d leave the moment she could. The opera had not long since started, but judging by the way the Duke of Hardbridge was looking at her, he intended to come and find her at the intermission.

I cannot take that risk.

She waited until Miriam bellowed a high note. Everyone was completely distracted, in awe of her soaring voice. Even the Duke of Hardbridge looked away from Celia, at last.

Now!

She took the opportunity and crept out of the box. Fortunately, no one in her party noticed her absence. It left her free to creep into the corridors. Guiding herself with the sconces on the walls,she headed far away from the foyer and toward the back rooms of the theatre.

A sound behind her just as she reached the stage door made her halt. She glanced back, but there was no one there.

“It’s my imagination,” she muttered. “That’s all it is, my imagination.”

She pushed the door open, hurrying through a path she knew well.

She passed two young ladies who were dressed and ready for their parts. Celia had been here so often that they didn’t even bat an eyelid at her presence. Instead, they carried on toward the stage, leaving Celia free to find Miriam’s dressing room.

She knocked on the door lightly, but no one answered. Taking hold of the handle, she opened the door wide and crept inside. Then she closed it and leaned against it, sighing.

Miriam had once told her she could escape here any time she wanted to. She rarely spent time in this dressing room once the show had begun, for she had so many quick changes which all had to take place at the side of the stage. This room was saved for when she came back at the end of the night, as somewhere to relax.

Along one edge of the room was a chaise longue peppered with cushions. Beside it, there was a table and a decanter of wine,with one lonely glass. The other side of the room was decked with a vanity table covered with so many hairpins and cosmetics that it was almost impossible to see the surface of the wood.

Celia reached for the candle resting on the nearby table and lit a second candlestick, brightening the room. She had made up her mind. She would stay here until the end of the intermission, then creep back out to join the others. It would mean the Duke of Hardbridge would have no chance of cornering her and forcing her into conversation.

Besides, she had a feeling that conversing wasn’t exactly what he wanted to do, and she knew very well that she didn’t want it either. Her dreams had driven her so mad over the last few days that one kiss from him, one touch, maybe even just one look, and she might well give him anything he asked for.

What happened to my backbone, I wonder? When did it vanish?

There was a knock at the door. Celia looked toward it with curiosity. When she made no sound, the knock sounded again.

They’ll go away. When Miriam doesn’t answer, they’ll go away.

Yet, she was wrong. The handle turned, and the door swung open.

“What in…” She jumped back from the table bearing the two candles as she eyed the Duke of Hardbridge in the doorway. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“It wasn’t exactly difficult to follow ye.” He closed the door behind him.

She stepped back, cursing both the fact that she had been right when she’d heard a sound in the corridor and that her intention to avoid him had led to them being alone together.

“This is not a good idea?—”

“Why did ye leave like that?” He turned to face her, shrugging off his tailcoat.

“What are you doing?” She waved at the tailcoat.

“I hate that thing.” He threw it over the back of the chair, but to her relief, he made no other move to undress. If he did, it would be her undoing.

His expression hardened, those gray eyes not leaving her face as he took a step forward. She took another step back.

“Why did ye leave like that?” he asked again.

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