Page 66 of The Duke's Vice

His body propelled him forward as if on order from some higher power. Ezra convinced himself it was out of necessity to speak with Stoleton. However, there was a little voice that considered it had more to the do to the young woman standing next to Stoleton’s wife than any business he, himself, deemed important.

“Stoleton, good to see you.” Ezra extended his hand inwardly cringing. It was rare for him to seek out conversation, stranger still that he offered his hand first.

His reputation preceded him based off the wide-eyed look Stoleton gave him as he shook his hand, almost in disbelief.

“Graham. Likewise. You know my wife, Sarah and her mother, and sister?” Stoleton gestured to each woman as he mentioned them.

Ezra quickly nodded at Sarah and Charlotte, and even though he knew he shouldn’t, he let his eyes linger on Beatrice a beat longer than appropriate.

Her brown hair was swept up and pinned, accentuating her long, slender neck. Ezra swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.

Beatrice’s eyes dipped before returning to look up at him. “Good to see, Your Grace.”

Ezra didn’t realize that they were still staring at each other when he heard a gentle cough from her mother.

“Your Grace, I hear you are to do business with our dearest Charles.” Charlotte’s words had a sense of warning in them. Ezra pulled his eyes away from Beatrice to find Charlotte staring at him with her eye brow raised.

Ezra cleared his throat. “Yes. I actually came over here to see if we could iron out some of the last details”

Stoleton exchanged a look with his wife before his face broke out in a wide grin. He stepped forward and clapped his hand on Ezra’s back. “Come now, this is a party. There will be plenty of time for business. Eat, drink, be merry!” Stoleton laughed as he took his wife’s hand and lead her towards the refreshment table and away from Ezra.

Charlotte cast a doubtful look over Ezra before following her daughter and son-in-law.

Ezra stood watching them walk away. When he turned to Beatrice he found her owlish eyes staring up at him in earnest.

Ezra pursed his lips. “It is good to see you, Lady Beatrice.”

A small smile danced across her lips. “Thank you, Your Grace. I hope you are faring well. I know the ominous Duke of Graham is not one for parties, let alone of the garden variety.”

Ezra lifted a corner of his mouth, conceding a smirk.

Do it now, man. Do it now, then leave. Tell her it should end for her sake and be done with it.

“Would you like to walk with me to the refreshment table? Lady Ellsworth’s cook is friends with Sarah’s so you know the food and drinks will be good.” She said with a wink.

Ezra stepped to the side and offered his hand.

What are you doing?

“It would be my honor. But, we should be careful. Lady Ellsworth has heard word of me courting you.” He whispered as they walked.

Beatrice looked up to him before eyeing those around them. “Does that mean you wish to stop? I know you strongly dislike gossip and the problems that inevitably rise from it.”

Ezra stewed over her words. This was his chance. He opened his mouth to tell her it was over. Instead he found his mouth had other plans.

“No worries. I set her straight. Although, I guess I could pull a page from one of your sister’s scandalous books and flirt with someone else in front of her.”

Beatrice gasp was followed by some giggles. “You wouldn’t do me the dishonor of promenading with me one moment and flirting with another the next? That feels highly inappropriate and unfitting of a Duke.” She said artfully.

Graham couldn’t help himself, he smiled wolfishly as he leaned down to whisper directly into her ear. “I assure you, little mouse, a Duke has no such restraints on his actions.”

Beatrice’s steps stuttered under her dress causing Ezra to fill with pride. He loved how easy it was to get a reaction from her.

The thought gave him pause.

Beatrice looked up to him. “Everything well, Your Grace?”

Ezra looked down at her, then back to the arch where he met her. What was he doing? He was supposed to be telling her their arrangement was over, but here he was promenading around a garden with her on his arm. He needed to leave.

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