Page 38 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

He chuckled. “Well, maybe nottooupset. But only because I do not think he was right for you. I know the man well, remember, and he is not at all what he seems.”

“Coming from you? That is rich.”

“Odd choice of words,” he teased. “For someone who does not know the meaning of them.”

Her face dropped. “Now you go too far.”

“My meaning is, he is very good at pretending to be what the ton expects of him. But he is a hopeless gambler, a coward, and worst of all, he is cruel – not in a way that suggests violence, but with his words. He likes to make others feel small so he can feel big.” He laughed. “Which is needed for someone as short as he is.”

She could not help but laugh. “It sounds like I escaped a most tormented marriage then. Lucky me.”

“It will be...” He looked at her in that way he always did, as if he could see right through her. As if he knew what was on her mind, even when she was not so sure. “Once you find someone worthy of you.”

Aurelia felt her cheeks flush and she looked away. “We can only hope.”

It was the night of their first lesson together and so far it wasn’t at all what Aurelia was expecting.Or maybe it is? The truth is, I didn’t know what to expect. As much as I think I know the true side of the duke, I find that I am still trying to figure him out.

She had sneaked to his office in the same way she had the last two times. And as before, he was sitting behind his desk waiting for her. She had wondered then if he would do as he had the last time, keeping his distance and being careful not to say or do anything which might be deemed inappropriate. Or rather, that might lead to their tempers peaking and words said which would only get them into trouble.

Aurelia half hoped he would, at least that way she would have her questions answered. Although they had kissed that one time, it had been an aberration and there was nothing to suggest he would do so again. Having said that...

He rose as soon as she entered. He walked to her, caring not for the space between them. Then he led her toward the desk, sitting on it as she stood before him. Arms folded, he was more comfortable than he had been the last time, more sure of himself. Where she had no idea what to expect, she felt as if the duke had come to terms with himself and was through playing games.

But what games? What does he want of me?

“I have been thinking quite a bit about this evening,” the duke said, his arms still folded. “And how we are to proceed.”

“And what conclusion have you come to?”

“I am not looking to remake you,” he said. “Nor to change you wholly. The simple fact is, there isn’t time.” He considered her. “More than that, I wouldn’t want to. You’re unique, Lady Hawkins – and I mean that as a compliment,” he hurried when he saw her about to react. “And that uniqueness is an asset that any lord should be happy to share in.”

“Oh...” Aurelia was blushing furiously under the weight of his compliment. She searched through it for the sarcasm, perhaps a joke. But when she met his eyes, quick to look away as it made her heart race, she realized that he was being truthful.

“Having said that...”

“Here it comes,” she snorted.

He laughed. “Your problem, as it stands, is your inability to hold that tongue of yours. You have a quick wit, paired with a sharp tongue, which is a dangerous combination.”

She grinned. “A fact which you can attest to personally, I think.”

He winked. “It is just lucky that I am so easy going.”

“Yes,” she snorted. “A true gentleman.”

It was clear that something had changed between them. Even more clear was that the duke was no longer trying to deny it. When this change had occurred in him, or how, was unknown to Aurelia. Nor did she care. There was tension between them, but it was not awkward. Rather, it felt strangely natural, as Aurelia was rarely able to speak with others in this manner.

I was wrong about the dark side, I think. Rather, it is a natural aversion that he holds to the proclivities of the peerage, as if he resents that he has to act a certain way.

This, she began to understand, was the real duke. And it was a duke which she very much liked. And she could tell he liked her.

“Now...” He pushed himself up suddenly, standing over her. But she did not back down, looking up at him and raising an eyebrow. “The question becomes, how are we going to train you to keep control of that tongue.”

“If you make a joke about treats or training a puppy or anything like that, I will not hesitate to --”

“Nothing like that,” he chuckled. “Although you are not as far off as you think.” He grinned mischievously and she widened her eyes in warning. “What you need is a trigger. Or rather, a reason not to say the first thing that comes to your head.”

“You mean...” She swallowed and she felt her heart pound. “A punishment?”

---