Page 29 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“No...” He shook his head as he took another step closer, still leaving several feet between them. A gap he looked careful not to close.One I wish he would...“Not because of your family’s debts, but because you do not wish for you sister to be burdened with finding a husband who might cover them. A man willing to marry someone as young as that, with such high debts...” He curled his lip in disgust. “It is not a man worth marrying, by my estimation.”

“I...” She didn’t know what to say, feeling embarrassed by the revelation. “I do not mind. I am happy to.”

“I know you are,” he said.

Another silence fell between them, this one nowhere near as tense as before. Rather, there was an understanding that seemed to hover between them now, as if the duke was seeing her properly for the first time. What was more, she was seeing him.

All this time, she had simply assumed him to be a liar. Or perhaps a sneak who wore a fake mask to hide a darker side which he was terrified to see revealed to the ton. But that wasn’t him at all. She met his eyes and she could see the concern he held for her situation, and how impressed he was at what she was doing. He cared, she realized in that moment. He cared more than anyone ever had for her or her family.

They continued to stare at one another. The room shrunk around them. The silence grew. The space between them was several feet but it felt like mere inches. It wasn’t as charged as the last time they were alone. She didn’t expect him to grab her and pull her into a kiss. But she wanted him to come to her. She wanted to feel his protective hands on her...

“I think that is enough for tonight,” he said finally, breaking the silence.

“Oh...” she balked in surprise, letting her disappointment show.

He frowned and tilted his head, a smirk behind his eyes. “Do not tell me you are enjoying my company all of a sudden, Lady Hawkins?”

“What? No. Of course not!”

He laughed and walked around the desk. “Good. I would hate to imagine such a thing might be possible.” He stayed standing, looking at her once more. “Now, unless there is something else?”

There wasn’t. And Aurelia knew now was the time to leave. Yet there was an energy between them, a pull she could feel holding her in place. Gone was her hatred of this man. Gone was her feigned disgust. And with that came a new sensation, one she had been hiding from despite its ever present desires.

“Y -- yes,” she stammered, snapping herself out of the moment and forcing a step back. “Yes, I think... our lesson? When will it be?”

“I will let you know,” he said. “But something tells me I will be seeing you soon.”

“I hope not,” she said, although she could not hide her smile.

He laughed. “Good night, Lady Hawkins.”

She nodded, still smiling, cheeks flushing, and turned and hurried from the room. Unlike the last time she left, her mind was nowhere near as frazzled and confused as it had been. In fact, it was as clear and focused as it had ever been. Not that this made things less confusing. If anything, it only complicated the matter.

It would be easier if I was to never see him again. Only now, I don’t want such a thing. Not even a little bit.

ChapterTen

"Is something the matter?” Gerald asked Rosalind, sensing in his sister a building frustration which she was hesitant to voice.

“Why would it be?” his sister said, a little sharply. Very much not like her.

Gerald raised an eyebrow at her. “That response is answer enough, I think. Now, come on, what is the matter? You can tell me.”

Rosalind pushed her lips together, looking away. “Can I, though?”

“What does that mean?”

“Never mind...” The two were walking together and in a bid to put a stop to the conversation, Rosalind increased her speed.

Gerald sighed and hurried after her. “Rosalind,” he said as he came in beside her, then stepping in front to cut her off. “I do not wish to argue with you.”

“Yet you seem so insistent on it.”

Gerald’s expression dropped and his first thought was to remind her not to speak to him like that. And he just might have too, had he not seen the upset look in his sister’s eyes. Something was so clearly on her mind, and he knew for fact that he was the cause. He hated fighting with his sister, and he hated thinking that she was upset with him.

“Please...” He reached out and touched her arm gently. “Tell me what is wrong. I know that we do not always get along as you might like, I hope you know that I only ever want what is best for you. Please, understand that at least.”

She grimaced apologetically. “I know you do.”

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