Page 17 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

His Grace hardly even glanced at Aurelia as he spoke with Rosalind. He was his usual charming self, friendly in manner, proper in statue and air. Nothing about him to suggest the darker side which Aurelia had seen, and no sense at all that it even existed. The way he spoke in front of Aurelia, it might have been another man entirely who had accosted her in that bedroom.

She frowned as she looked at him, searching for the hidden side which she knew to be there. But he was so good at hiding it. So damn good at pretending to be perfect!

“Do not fret, sister,” the duke said, still smiling. “I am not here for you.”

“Oh?”

“It is Lady Hawkins whom I wish to speak with...” He turned to look at her finally, offering her a pleasant smile that gave nothing away. “And I must say, Lady Hawkins, that is a lovely dress.”

Aurelia felt her face flush and she was rendered speechless, looking away so that Rosalind would not see.

“Isn’t it,” Rosalind agreed. “Does she not look beautiful.”

“I could not agree more,” the duke said. “A true beauty...” She could feel his eyes on her, but she could not bring herself to look at him. It was as if he was testing her, teasing her to see if she would break. “Which is why I wondering if she would do me the honor of a dance.”

“What?” Aurelia snapped her head up before she could stop herself.

“A dance,” he repeated simply, still smiling in a friendly manner because his sister was there. “If it suits you?”

She might have liked to tell him to take his dance and shove it up his...easy, Aurelia. Now is not the time. Rosalind did not appear surprised by the suggestion. The duke continued to look at her with a simple expression that most would think to be friendly. To say no would now appear odd, and Aurelia did not wish to have questions asked.

“I would love to,” she said, unable to hold back the sarcasm.

“Wonderful.” The duke offered her arm, which Aurelia had no choice but to link. “Do not fear, Rosalind, I will have you friend back in one piece.”

He laughed as if he had made a joke, then he led her through the garden party and toward the dance floor nearer the back. To get there, they had to walk through the crowd, and Aurelia took note of the heads turning and the mouths muttering to see them together.

“What are you doing?” she said under her breath, doing her best to appear casual.

“Helping you.” As he walked, he looked ahead, smiling and nodding at those who caught his attention. “You wish to attract the attention of a suitor? What do you think will happen if you are seen dancing with me?”

“I might catch fire suddenly?” she scoffed.

He laughed. “That is one way sure to gain attention.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, searching through the facade for the truth of this request. But he gave nothing away, likely because he was telling the truth. After all, he had every reason to wish to see her find a suitor, so perhaps in this instance he was being truthful.If such a thing is possible for him.

They reached the dance floor just as the music died down and those already dancing came to a gentle stop. This gave them time to find their place beside the others. The duke took the lead immediately, stepping into her, one hand on her side, the other taking her right hand so that he could lead.

She gasped as he pulled her in close. He flashed his eyes at her and the look that she saw behind them was reminiscent of the man she was starting to know. That which nobody else did.

“It really is a lovely dress,” he purred. “Not too tight. Not too loose. Showing just the right amount of...” He eyes drifted down, lingering on her bosom. “Skin.”

Aurelia was about to offer a sharp reply. Something to do with him keeping his eyes to himself, unless he wished to see them bruised by her fist. But before she got the chance, the music started, and the duke just about lifted her from her feet as he began to lead her.

“Woah!” she gasped, finding her feet finally, struggling to keep his pace in what was a rather upbeat waltz.

“What’s the matter?” he asked with a grin. “I would have thought you an adequate dancer. Even more than that.”

“I can dance just fine...” She found the rhythm finally, which required her to relax and let the duke lead. Their bodies were pressed. His hand on her waist was tight. And every few seconds, she would catch his eyes drop below her neckline.

“There we are,” he said as they began to move together as one. “Much better.”

“What is this?” she asked him accusingly. “I do not believe for a second that you are merely... what exactly? Showing me off?” She glanced about the garden party, seeing immediately that more than a few of the guests were watching. More than a few men at that.

“A rather crass way of putting it,” he said with a shrug. “But in a fashion, yes. Trust me, as things stand, your stocks are low. If you are seen with me, however...” He shrugged.

“You think an awful lot of yourself. You know that don’t you?”

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