Page 33 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

Jenny took his proffered hand. “Yes, I would love to.”

David settled into the seat next to her. “Have you been to the opera often?”

Jenny looked over the theater below her. David was right, these were the best seats in the house.

“I’ve been a few times, yes. I’ve always enjoyed coming here.” She looked back at him. “I must admit, I was surprised to see you here. This doesn’t seem like your favorite type of outing.”

David shrugged his shoulder. “I’ve been told I need to get out more, so here I am.”

“Lucky me.” Jenny smiled.

“Yes.” David eyed her. “Lucky you.”

Jenny refused to break eye contact. “Tell me, Your Grace, are you familiar with this particular opera?”

David shrugged.

That bloody shrug.

Jenny was determined to see his carefully cultivated indifference break.

“I am not. However, I heard it is heartbreaking and very tragic. There are stories of even men leaving greatly touched by theperformance. I even heard that some men were seen crying during it.”

She was goading him, hoping to get some sort of reaction.

David leaned back in his seat. “Is that so? Well, now I am intrigued.”

“Yes. So am I.”

The house lights dimmed as Jenny sat back in her chair. Not only was she going to see one of the most popular operas of her time, but she would have a front-row seat to David’s emotions.

Surely, an opera that had touched the hearts of thousands would be able to crack the tough exterior of David Elkins, the Duke of Marlow.

Three hours in and David was ready to shoot someone. Yes, the singing was good, and the music was enticing and well-played, but he would rather be at a ball than here. The only positive about this evening was the woman sitting next to him.

The woman who was watching his every move like a hawk.

He leaned over and whispered to her, “Is something amiss?”

Her eyes snapped to the stage. “No. I’m fine, thank you.”

Her hands were fidgeting in her lap, and she sat straight in her chair. She couldn’t be more nervous than if she were standing on the stage singing herself.

David turned back to the stage, but his mind was still on the woman next to him. He could feel her eyes returning to his profile.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Could she be remembering the other night? The way her body fit perfectly against his? How her mouth molded to his and the delicious sounds she made when he deepened the kiss?

David shifted in his seat. Not only was he bored, but now he was also uncomfortable.

Jenny tilted her head, silently questioning if he was all right. He waved her off, hoping he wouldn’t cause himself any embarrassment. They were not that far in their lessons for him to educate her in all the ways a woman can affect a man.

Just thinking of how that conversation would go and the beautiful blush that would bloom on her cheeks had him shifting in his seat once again.

How much longer can this blasted performance be?

An hour later, he was escorting the women back to their carriage. Frannie was her normal jovial self, but something seemed to be plaguing Jenny.

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