Page 26 of A Virgin for the Forbidden Duke

“I’d reckon you are talking about us, right, Agnes?” Matthew walked closer to Agnes, a deep look on his face, shocking and drawing her in, as the depth of his voice sent shivers down her spine.

Caught in the allure of the moment, Agnes blushed as Matthew’s words hung in the air. With gentle finesse, his lips met hers in a stolen kiss, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows around them.

As they pulled away, a soft blush tinted Agnes’s cheeks, her eyes meeting Matthew’s with a mixture of bashfulness and enchantment.

“Well, Your Grace, perhaps such tales are yet to unfold,” she replied, her voice a gentle tease.

Matthew, undeterred by her playful evasion, closed the distance between them. His fingers lightly traced a strand of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. “Maybe,” he whispered, his breath stirring the air between them. “But I must confess, Agnes, that the tales I envision involve a lot more than hidden romances and secret rendezvous.”

The depth of his gaze held a promise, and as Agnes moved to sit down, a mixture of anticipation and warmth lingered in the room. Matthew joined her, their proximity creating an intimate cocoon within the library’s embrace.

Agnes couldn’t help but smile as she looked at him, the flickering candlelight casting a gentle glow on them.

Seated amidst leather-bound volumes, Matthew’s eyes locked on Agnes’s, a playful glint warming the depths. “Now, Miss Agnes, tell me, what secrets have you kept hidden beneath that enchanting smile of yours?”

Agnes chuckled—a melodious sound that echoed in the quietude of the library. “Oh, many secrets, Your Grace. But perhaps I’ll share a few if you’re willing to part with some of your own.”

Matthew settled into a plush armchair, his eyes fixed on Agnes with a warmth that invited her into the tapestry of his memories. “You know, Agnes, Sempill Estate holds tales of my childhood mischief. Although Sempill Estate is where I live now, my father worked there once before. He was the previous Duke’s solicitor—his distant cousin. There was this particular oak tree near the stables, my favored sanctuary for strategic planning and secret adventures.”

Agnes, captivated by the prospect of unveiling the Duke’s youthful escapades, took a seat opposite him. “Strategic planning, Your Grace? Pray, do tell.”

A mischievous grin played on Matthew’s lips. “Well, you see, I was convinced that the estate held hidden treasures. So, I used to enlist my childhood companion, Stephen, who lived in the neighboring estate, in grand explorations. Our missions often involved maps hastily drawn on parchment and elaborate schemes to outwit imaginary adversaries.”

Agnes laughed, the sound resonating with genuine delight. “Treasure hunts and secret adversaries? How thrilling! Did you ever uncover these hidden treasures?”

Matthew leaned back, a glint of nostalgia in his eyes. “Alas, the treasures remained elusive. But the adventures, Agnes, were priceless. We’d return with scraped knees and tales of triumph over the fiercest foes.”

Their conversation flowed seamlessly, Agnes sharing her own tales of sisterly mischief.

“Rose and I,” she began, “had our secret codes and midnight escapades. Our favorite game was to explore the gardens under the moonlight, convinced that each flower held a story waiting to be discovered.”

Matthew listened attentively, his eyes reflecting a genuine curiosity. “Secret codes and moonlit escapades? You and Rose truly knew how to weave enchantment into your days.”

As they exchanged stories, the library walls, adorned with venerable volumes, seemed to absorb the essence of their shared narratives. The blossoming connection between the Duke and Agnes unfolded in the dance of words—a silent agreement that the pages of their individual tales were merging into a shared story.

As the minutes wove into hours, a daring thought seized Matthew’s mind. With a subtle shift in demeanor, he leaned closer, his lips mere inches from Agnes’s ear. “Shall we add a dash of audacity to this evening?” he whispered.

Agnes, caught in the allure of the clandestine, nodded in agreement.

With gentle finesse, Matthew’s lips met hers, a stolen kiss cocooned in the silence of the library.

Slowly, they pulled away, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes.

* * *

The grand ballroom was aglow with sparkling chandeliers and the lively hum of conversations. Agnes, adorned in an elegant gown, descended the grand staircase, a vision of grace and poise. Her mother intercepted her with a stern gaze.

“Agnes, remember to mingle more tonight. And do pay particular attention to Lord Egerton,” Mary instructed, her words laced with an underlying expectation.

With a forced smile, Agnes nodded in compliance, her eyes briefly scanning the crowded room. Amidst the sea of faces, her gaze found its anchor—the piercing brown eyes of Matthew.

As Agnes and Matthew’s eyes locked in a moment of shared recognition, a warmth spread through her, accompanied by a gentle flutter in her chest. A genuine smile graced her lips, a silent acknowledgment of the connection they shared amidst the grandeur of the ballroom.

In those stolen glances, the world around them faded into a mere backdrop, leaving only the two of them in a shared moment of unspoken understanding.

Matthew’s piercing brown eyes lingered on Agnes, taking in the elegance of her gown and the radiance of her presence.

The promise of something more lingered in the air, and just as the connection deepened, the enchantment was shattered. A sudden interruption whisked Matthew away, leaving Agnes standing alone.

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