Page 1 of A Duchess to Reclaim

CHAPTERONE

“Iam waiting,” Lord Robin stated, his grip tightening on Amelia’s hand.

Amelia Hollowcroft, eldest daughter to the Viscount Hodge, blinked as her brows drew together, and she followed the Lord’s lead into the dance’s steps.

“For what, Lord Robin?” Amelia asked.

She flexed her fingers, trying to signal that his hold was too tight. He either did not notice or ignored it.

“For your gratitude, Miss Hollowcroft. For saving you from a night completely stuck to the wall,” Lord Robin replied.

He led her into a twirl, just as the other dancers were doing with their partners, but the force of his efforts had Amelia struggling to keep up. It did not help that his behavior, though kind at first, was now quickly crumbling into one that was most unbecoming of a gentleman.

“I have thanked you for the dance, Lord Robin,” she answered, her tone sweet and steady. “However, I willingly thank you again.”

It was not what she truly wished to say. She would have much rather preferred to push herself out of his embrace and tell him she preferred the wall to such behavior- but she could not. At least not right now. Not with her father watching like a hawk.

It had been three years since Roland, her former betrothed, had left her. Three years since he ran away to Italy with bruises on his face and a woman on his arm the very day of their wedding- at least according to the gossip. She hadn’t paid much attention to what was said about him though, not with her own tattered reputation to worry about.

A week ago, on the anniversary of her greatest shame, her father, Felton Hollowcroft, had come to her with a warning. She was to tarry by the wall no longer, but stop her moping and find a husband or at least a serious suitor within the week, or he was going to arrange a suitor for her. Amelia had tried in earnest to obey, despite loathing the idea, and had thus far failed in completing the task. Tonight was her last night, and though she did not want to, she had to put forth the effort to sway Lord Robin. Even if only to buy her a little more time.

“Please, my lord, tell me about yourself?” Amelia implored sweetly. “Do you enjoy your duties? I hear as a second son of a viscount, they can still be rather demanding.”

Lord Robin looked almost flattered as he twirled her again.

“Indeed,” he replied readily, “Most do not believe that the second born bears much responsibility, but we certainly do. Family affairs, keeping my younger siblings in order, all the while preparing for the possibility of suddenly having to take on the eldest son’s responsibilities should any misfortune befall him. It is most stressful.”

“I am certain it is,” Amelia replied, trying to sound compassionate despite her hidden lack of interest. “I am sure whoever you choose to marry may also need to take on such responsibilities as well. One might never know if or when the title of Viscountess might befall her.”

Lord Robin smirked.

“Do you have interest in discovering such responsibilities?” He asked.

Not at all,Amelia thought, but kept her smile firmly on her lips.

“Oh, yes,” she answered, “Though my mother has already trained me extensively on the duties of being a Lady of the House. I feel I would be quite capable.”

Lord Robin’s smirk transformed into a grin that made Amelia’s stomach tighten and twist. His hands grew tighter on her person, and she felt her skin heat with shame as they also furtively moved lower.

“And what other duties might you be capable of, Miss Amelia?”

It was a question that had been one of the many reasons she had placed herself on the wall at parties. Since Roland had left her, the most salacious rumors had been spread. One of which was that she’d given her virtue too early. Some said it was such a poor performance it did not please the young lord. Others whispered that it was so exemplary that it intimidated him into running away. It was obvious which one Lord Robin believed at present.

“Would you be so kind as to be more direct with your question, Lord Robin?” She asked, batting her lashes as a bit of venom escaped into her voice. “Just so as I know exactly what it is you are asking.”

Lord Robin’s devilish grin faltered for a moment, but he composed himself and flexed his fingers at her bottom. Even through the fabric of her lavender gown, she felt the grossness of it.

“I have heard that you are averyeducated woman, Lady Amelia. Inallsorts of areas.”

He’d danced her into the far corner of the dance floor, away from the others and hidden by the moving bodies so that when he gripped her backside and pushed her flush to his rigid manhood, no one saw.

Bile rose up in Amelia’s throat as she felt the disgusting shape press into her, and not able to keep her act up anymore, she wrenched her hand from his and pushed him away. The shove barely made him move, and only seemed to entertain him as he let out a chuckle and smiled with all his teeth.

“What a wild thing you are,” he mused, reaching for her again. “You like the chase, don’t you? Very well then, I can manage that.”

“The only wild thing here is the assumption you make, Lord Robin,” she spat out, stepping away from his grip. “I do not have theeducationyou speak of yet even if I did, I certainly would not share that with you!”

Her voice had risen from a seething whisper to an incredulous shout, drawing attention from nearly every other attendee in the ballroom. Some even stopping their conversation or dancing.

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