Page 86 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice nudged her shoulder with his as they continued to walk. “I have thought about it but I have not settled on my answer yet.”

Amos lifted his free hand to his heart. “Oh, how I love that little word, ‘yet.’”

Beatrice couldn’t help but laugh. Their friendship was easy, they had a natural connection that didn’t take work to uphold. She could see herself having a life with Amos. It wouldn’t be what she thought her life would be like, of course, but she would have a companion and the safety and security of his name.

Marrying him would give her the ability to live her life as a spinster, but with more freedoms than a woman who was shelved by theton.

“Well, just remember, it is a lady’s prerogative to change her mind.” She said with a flutter of her eyelashes.

Amos laughed at her coquettish smile. “I promise you, Lady Beatrice, our life together would be filled with adventures and laughter. What more could you ask for?”

Beatrice smiled up at Amos while her heart sank at his sentiment.

What more could she ask for?

There was only one thing she could think of, and only one man who she would want it from.

Beatrice sat at her dresser brushing her hair. She had already finished the book she just started that morning, she wrote to both of her sisters and reorganized her closet. She put the brush down and looked at her father’s time piece.

One in the morning.

She pushed away from the dresser and walked the length of her room. She could start another book but it would be useless. Hermind could no longer focus on anything other than her talk with Amos.

What more could she ask for?

If she would have gotten this offer from Amos two months ago she might have balked at the idea of marrying someone, but once she’d come to know him she’d see that his offer was too good to turn down.

So, why was she hesitating now?

Beatrice stopped and looked at herself in the mirror. She brought her hand up to cheeks. Dark circles had settled underneath her eyes and her complexion looked pale. She ran her fingers down her cheeks, onto her neck and settled at the neckline of her shift.

Goosebumps erupted across her body at her movement and dark eyes flashed in her mind.

“Ugh. That man.” She stomped. “This is all because of him. I wish I never met him!”

Regardless of her words her body began to hum with the memory of his touch. Beatrice didn’t know whether to be turned on or annoyed.

She settled with annoyed.

She threw herself onto her bed and covered her head with a pillow.

I wish I never ran into him that night. I wish I never dropped my list.

Beatrice sat up.

My list.

She still wanted to finish her list. She assumed her and Amos would consummate the marriage, but she was still adamant of exploring that part of womanhood before she became tied down to one man. And considering that man had his eye elsewhere, Beatrice wanted to know what it was like to lie with a man who was just as interested as she was.

Beatrice hopped off of her bed and threw open her closet doors. Her hands landed on her black cloak she’d wear when sneaking out.

She stuck her hand in the pocket and felt the heavy card stock that was tucked away in it. The invitation that Graham had procured for her. He had said that as long as he was with her they’d let her in. But perhaps they’d let her in with just the invitation?

She turned it over in her hand. “Hopefully there’s not an expiration date on this thing.”

She shoved it back in the pocket and swung the cloak over her shoulders. With one quick look in the mirror she saw the color return to her face.

Her eyes beamed brightly back at her as a rush of energy coursed through her veins. Finally, after days of moping she felt like herself again. The rebellious and brave heroine was ready to finally go on her last conquest.

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