Page 18 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“Most seem to.”

She scoffed. “Most don’t know the real you.”

As with the last two times she had mentioned the other side of the duke, she expected to see anger flash behind his cool facade. It was so obvious to her that he hated being reminded of this side of himself, or perhaps he feared it? Either way, she braced for the anger.

Instead of that, he smirked, and she saw what looked like excitement take his visage. He licked his lips and glanced about the crowd, dropping his voice then and leaning in close. “You know, there is more to dancing than simply being seen.”

“Is that right,” she said dryly, ignoring the way her heart began to beat because there was something about his tone which caused excitement.

“Oh yes...” His smile grew and she gasped when she felt his hand slide down her waist toward her buttocks. “When you find a partner, as I am sure you will, a dance like this is a perfect time to learn the measure of a man.”

“What...” She could feel his hand now, placed firmly on the top of her rear end. Not so low that those watching might notice, but low enough that she couldfeelits intent. “What do you mean?”

“Come now, Lady Hawkings...” He chuckles and the grip of his stray hand tightened. “I know you say you wish to marry only so your family’s debts might be covered, but we both know the real reason.”

“What reason – owe!” she yelped as his hand strayed a little bit lower. “What are you doing?”

“You husband, whoever he will be, should not wish to marry you for propriety's sake only.” His hand squeezed and she felt a moan escape her lips. “He shouldwantyou, as you want him.”

“I don’t...” She could barely speak, her attention on his hand and how it felt as it held her. Heart racing. Body flushing. She tried not to let it show. “I do not know what you mean.”

“I think you do,” he growled and pulled her in so close that his lips grazed her cheek as he spoke. “A gentleman is all well and good, but what you need, Lady Hawkins...” He gave her another squeeze. “Is a firm hand to keep you in line.”

Her eyes widened and she was without speech. Her legs very nearly gave out. Her breath left her. And her mind... it went suddenly to places that it never had before. The duke with his hands around her corset the other day. The duke now, his hand on her buttocks. The look in his eyes. The hunger on his lips.Is he... surely, he is not suggesting what I think.

“Or not...” As quickly as it started, it ended. He slid his hand back up and began to lead her normally once more. “But it is something to consider.”

She had no idea what to say. In fact, she was terrified to say anything, lest she give herself away. She could feel her skin prickling. And she knew that in her eyes, the duke surely saw exactly what was on her mind. Such that when he looked at her, he chuckled and winked, his delight in making her so uncomfortable readily apparent.

He was teasing her, she was sure of it. That she knew the real side of him, she had no doubt that he was simply testing the limits of what he could get away with. Likely, he enjoyed making her so uncomfortable.

But there was more to it than that. There had to be. That sense that through the jokes and the teasing, beyond the joy he took from unsettling her, that the duke...is he playing with me? Or is this the real side of him, one that I can’t help but find myself drawn to.

The waltz came to a steady stop and Aurelia was glad for it. She needed air. She needed time to think! She needed to collect herself and assess what was going on, because she truly had no idea.

“And where do you think you are going?” the duke said as she started to pull away.

“I...” She hesitated. “The dance is over.”

“I did not say you could go.” He still held her by the hand, and he looked at her with that same commanding expression that she could not deny, even if she wanted to. Which she found that she did not. “And I would like one more dance, now that you have the feel for it.”

“Oh...” She looked toward her mother, who was watching with curiosity. Then to Rosalind, who also wore a frown. It was dangerous to do. It waswrong. But Aurelia always had been one to act without thinking of the consequences, so why stop now. “I suppose I can,” she sighed as if it was a most painful thing.

“There she is,” the duke laughed. “Look who is starting to learn.”

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, all the while trying to hide her smile. She wanted the duke to think that she despised him and wished to be as far from him as possible. But that wasn’t even close to the truth.

And thus, they danced again. And this time, Aurelia gave herself to him fully, caring not for the stares or how it might look. As the duke had said, being seen dancing with him could only help her chances.Which is the only reason I am doing it...

ChapterSix

It was the following day when a most unexpected visitor called on Aurelia. She was sitting at her writing table, staring blankly out the window, her thoughts drifting and then focusing on the one person she wished they would not do.

I cannot stop thinking about His Grace! I want to hate him. And I want to believe that all he has said and done was merely a means to upset me – as he so clearly likes to do. But there is more to it, I am sure. What I am not sure of it how it makes me feel.

“Aurelia!” she heard her mother call suddenly. “Aurelia!”

Aurelia’s eyes turned wide and she jumped from the seat just in time to see her mother burst through her bedroom door. She wore a smile on her face, one which reached her eyes, delighted beyond exception at whatever it was she had come here to tell her daughter.

---