Page 69 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“Mixed company?” Noah looked around the gentlemen’s club with exaggerated confusion. “I see only four dissolute rogues enjoying an afternoon drink.”

“Some of us arereformedrogues,” Dorian corrected with a smile, raising his glass in a small toast. “The benefits of a good marriage.”

“Speaking of which,” Gerard turned to Leo, “how is your duchess?”

Leo felt three pairs of eyes fix on him with varying degrees of curiosity.

Since the Pembroke ball three nights ago, he had deliberately given Marina space, uncertain of how their encounter might have changed things between them. He’d expected her to pull away even more and keep up that cautious distance she’d maintained ever since their wedding. But instead, he’d noticed her watching him at breakfast, a curious glint in her eyes that sent a rush of heat through him.

“She seems to be settling in fine,” he answered cautiously.

“That’s it?” Noah leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “The ton is buzzing with speculation about your sudden marriage, and all you can offer is that she’s adapting well enough?”

Leo shrugged, unwilling to share the truth of his complicated feelings for Marina, even with his closest friends. “What would you have me say? That we spend our evenings reading poetry and discussing philosophy?”

“I’d settle for knowing if she makes you happy,” Gerard said quietly.

The unexpected question caught Leo off guard.

Happy? The word seemed inadequate to describe the tumult of emotions Marina stirred within him. Desire, certainly. Frustration, frequently. But beneath those simpler responses lay something more complex, something that had shifted since the night of the ball.

“She’s unexpected,” Leo finally answered, aware that his friends were watching him closely. “Marina isn’t like anyone I’ve known before.”

“High praise indeed from a man who’s known half the beauties of Europe,” Noah commented.

Dorian studied Leo thoughtfully. “Alice mentioned the Duchess seemed somewhat guarded at their literary gathering. Reservedthough unfailingly polite. She thought perhaps the transition to marriage had been difficult.”

A pang of something uncomfortably like guilt struck Leo. Had Marina seemed unhappy to the Duchesses? The thought bothered him more than he cared to admit.

“Marina values her independence,” he explained. “Our arrangement allows her considerable freedom within the bounds of propriety.”

“Arrangement,” Gerard repeated, arching his brow. “Is that what we’re calling marriage these days?”

Leo felt a flicker of irritation. “Not all marriages begin as love matches as you well know. Some develop gradually.”

“And is yours developing?” Dorian asked bluntly.

Before Leo could answer, Noah interjected. “The new story circulating amongst the ton suggests someone’s relationship is certainly developing in interesting directions. The author seems to have found fresh inspiration lately.” He cast Leo a sly look. “Almost as if personal experience has replaced mere imagination.”

Leo fought back a smile as he remembered Marina’s surprise and surrender in his arms.

“Perhaps the author simply has a creative mind,” he replied, echoing Noah’s earlier words.

“Or maybe,” Noah continued, undeterred, “she’s discovered a more direct source of inspiration. Someone who knows exactly how to provoke the most… vivid reactions.”

“You seem unusually interested in this anonymous author, Crawford,” Gerard observed. “One might almost suspect a personal connection.”

Noah laughed. “Merely a literary appreciation, I assure you. Though I do wonder if our friend here might have more insight than he’s sharing.” He raised an eyebrow at Leo. “The latest story’s protagonists bear a striking resemblance to certain recently wed individuals of our acquaintance.”

Leo kept his composed expression despite the rush of satisfaction Noah’s words provoked. If Marina’s story so vividly depicted their encounter that even Noah recognized the shared experience, then their interlude must have left as profound an impact on her as it had on him.

“Pure coincidence, I’m sure,” Leo replied smoothly though he couldn’t quite suppress a small smile.

“Of course,” Noah agreed, his eyes twinkling. “Just as it’s coincidence that you’ve been in an unusually good mood these past few days, despite claiming to be frustrated by your ‘arrangement’ with the Duchess.”

Gerard leaned forward, his expression growing serious. “In all honesty, Leo, how is married life treating you? We’ve been concerned. The suddenness of it all…”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Leo assured him, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. “More than fine in fact.”

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