Page 34 of The Duke's Vice

Graham nodded. “You are not to touch anyone tonight. Do you understand?”

Confusion clouded Beatrice’s mind. “Why would I touch-”

Graham raised his hand to silence her. “Your word, Beatrice.”

She shook her head. “You have my word.”

Graham stared at her. “If you disobey this order there will be repercussions, do you understand?”

Beatrice tried to swallow but her mouth had run dry. She surprised herself when she managed to say, “I understand.”

Graham hesitated before nodding. He stepped out of the carriage and turned, offering her his hand.

With the invitation in one hand, she reached out and took his hand as she stepped out of the carriage and into the cool summer night air.

His grip tightened around her as he whispered in her ear. “No touching, Beatrice, or there will be consequences.”

She nodded in understanding. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what consequences there possibly could be but she thought better of it.

Graham walked her to the door that was being guarded by the same monster of a man who had turned her away the last time.

Graham looked down at her. “Last chance.”

Beatrice looked at him then to the guard. Her eyes dropped to the invitation in her hand. Graham was giving her one last chance to back out, to turn around and go back to the safety of her mother’s home, to the sheltered safety of society.

She didn’t know what laid behind those doors but she knew it would most likely change her.

She looked back up to Graham. With a smile she handed the invitation the guard and met the brutish man’s eyes.

“I told you I’d be back with my invitation.”

CHAPTER 10

Ezra’s hold tightened around Beatrice’s waist. There were more people here tonight than the past few weekends. He scowled under his mask. He knew there was a risk bringing her here, but he was hoping the end-of-season balls would have kept the majority of people away.

Ezra made eye contact with a few familiar people as he escorted Beatrice down a low lit hallway.

Her body was radiating electricity and nerves. His finger twitched slightly against her back and she jumped, her eyes flashing to his for reassurance.

He continued to guide her through the throngs of people, some milling around, some kissing, and some doing more than kissing.

Her eyes were bouncing around, trying to take in all the new sights around her. And new sights indeed. Ezra doubted Beatricesaw many people kissing in the provocative manner most were currently partaking in. Couples were draped over each other in almost every corner of the manor.

Ezra’s hand slid to hers and stepped in front of her. He navigated her through a particularly crowded area where people’s inhibitions were becoming more lax. Beatrice gasped and her footsteps stopped behind him. He turned to find her staring at two women kissing each other while sitting on a man’s lap.

Ezra took a step back and leaned down to her. “No judgement here, Lady Mouse. You don’t touch them, they won’t touch you. Remember my rule. Now come along. There’s more to see.” Ezra took a step before turning back. “Unless you do not wish to continue?”

Beatrice’s eyes snapped to his as she swallowed. Her eyes were still wide under her mask. Even with the anonymity of the mask, there was no hiding the fact she was innocent.

Her eyes cleared from shock as she shook her head slightly before gesturing to continue on. He took her around entwined legs, discarded clothing, and inviting smiles and stopped in front of a door. He knocked twice in rapid succession before the door opened.

Ezra stood to the side and motioned for Beatrice to walk in first. As much as he wanted to enter first, who knows how far into the demonstration they would be, he wanted Beatrice to walk in under her own volition.

With a cautious look to Ezra, Beatrice pulled her shoulders back and walked into the room with her head held high.

Ezra couldn’t help but smile at her determination, and stubbornness. She will be a fun one.

Beatrice’s confidence evaporated when she was met with a couple sitting on a couch facing the doorway. Several couples occupied chairs and lounge chairs placed in front of the couple on the couch, as if the couple on the couch were on a stage.

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