Page 83 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice shook her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. That’s what you’re focusing on? Not on how you acted? There is a give-and-take amongst friends, amongst those we care about. There was no ‘give’ with you, only ‘take’ and I can’t give any more.”

She brought her hands up to her face to wipe the tears that began to flow freely. Seeing her cry changed something within Graham. He jumped up from the bench and went to her, cradling her head in his hands.

“This is why we can’t be together. Look at what I do to you.” He whispered as he wiped a tear away with his knuckle.

Beatrice looked up to him as she pushed him away. “Stop. You’re a man. If you are sorry about it, fix it. You can stop it if you want to.” Her voice was harsh and her words direct.

Graham ran his hands through his hair. “Do you think I like knowing that I hurt you?”

Beatrice shook her head defiantly. “I think you do!”

Graham took a step away, turned back and opened his mouth, only to close it again. This woman had gotten under his skin like no one else. And she wasn’t afraid to tell put him in his place, which something he was not used to.

He usually found it refreshing when she exercised her strength. Tonight he found it frustrating.

“As if it’s a switch?” He chided. “It’s because I care about you that I hurt you, don’t you see that?”

Beatrice stood dumbfounded. “That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Graham ran his hands through his hair again and growled. “Must you be so insufferable?” He dropped his head back and bellowed into the night sky.

He turned to Beatrice when silence answered him instead of her. She stood, looking at him with a knowing look on her face. He knew her well enough to know that she felt powerful in that moment. And she was right to feel that way.

Graham was not one to show emotion and he just exposed himself to her. He rarely lost his cool and when he did it never was because of a woman.

He stood with his hands on his hips, looking back at her.

The two were in a standoff, both waiting for the other to makes a move.

She took in a deep breath and released it. “What do you want from me, Your Grace?” Her voice had become tired and strained. “You tell me to go, I go.” She looked resolved, exhausted, but steadfast. She looked more in control of her emotions than he felt right now.

What was happening to him? Nothing reached him emotionally, he carefully created his persona to be impenetrable for this exact reason.

He said nothing. There was nothing he could say. His actions confused him just as much as they confused her.

She scoffed as she wiped the last tear from her face. With a shake of her head she picked up her skirts. She got just past him when Graham’s arm reacted without thinking.

He reached out, grabbed her and pulled her in. His mouth crashed hers. Much to his surprise she didn’t fight back. Her hands immediately found purchase in his hair. He welcomed her nails as she scraped against his scalp sending jolts of electricity down his spine.

Heaven help him, but he missed this. He missed her. His tongue clashed with hers causing Beatrice to moan against him. His hold tightened against her.

Damn if she didn’t feel perfect against him.

His hands went back to her face to tilt her head to deepen the kiss. His fingers brushed against her cheeks where he felt the dampness from her fallen tears.

Reality came crashing down on him. He hurt her. He would always hurt her. She has too much to offer this world to let his issues bring her down. She deserved someone who would champion her, someone who could meet her strengths and use them to push her even further. He would only drag her down with his own insecurities.

He pulled away suddenly, causing Beatrice to stumble forward.

“I was wrong.” His words felt lie gravel on his tongue.

The hope in her eyes numbed his senses.

“You were?” Her question squeaked, much like a mouse. He smiled slightly at the connection.

“You should marry Duncary. He will be an excellent match for you.”

Beatrice shook her head in confusion. “N-n-no.” Her hands tightened on his lapels.

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