Page 21 of The Insufferable Duke
“That was your arrogance that believed such a thing,” she said sharply, raising her chin high. His hand softened on her waist, and her thoughts tarried on that touch rather than what she had come to say. “I wished you to know of the trouble our siblings will face.”
“Hardly news to me but go on.” His hand tightened around her own as he drew her away from another couple into space on the floor.
“My father has accepted the match, but to say he gives it his blessing is a kindness too far.” She sighed, fearing her sister’s future. “I worry that my family will cut themselves off from Julia entirely. I do not want that to happen.”
The Duke stared at her, but he said nothing. That silence she found as infuriating as when he talked.
“You will not say anything?”
“So sharp in tone. Do I annoy you no matter what I do?”
“Yes,” she said in a low tone.
“Then my silence or my speaking should make no difference to you.” He drew her a little closer to him as the floor grew busier. She was forced to tilt her head upward in order to maintain the connection of their eyes.
This close, she caught the scent he wore. It was deep and musky, mixed with a scent of pines. It reminded her of walks in the countryside, and she felt rather breathless in that scent.
“Or perhaps there is a part of me that doesn’t annoy you. After all, that look, My Lady, is hardly a glare,” he murmured, his lips spreading into another smirk.
“You are so arrogant. Is this how you have accomplished being a rake? Do you say such foolish things to all your ladies?” Her tart reply made that smile falter. “I’ll continue.”
“Pray, do.”
“I must accept, your presence the other day in our house means you are happy for the match to continue,” she added. “You encourage it.”
“I do,” he confirmed with a slow nod. “Though I do not pretend my family is happy about the match either. My great-uncle raged for an hour straight.”
“My uncle screamed in Julia’s face,” she said competitively, watching as one of the Duke’s eyebrows quirked upward.
“My mother nearly fainted.”
“My mother claimed she did though I did not see it. She has vowed she may not come to the wedding though.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you are arguing with me to claim that your family is the one suffering most at the idea of this match,” he whispered beneath the cover of the violin music.
“I believe it is.”
“Ha! Your family is not alone in this horror.” He tugged suddenly on her waist. She gasped in surprise and fell into him, glancing back to see a couple had collided with another. It was purely through the Duke’s actions that they had not been part of the incident.
He towed her slowly away, the two now so close that his lips were practically by her ear.
This is not appropriate.
She pulled away a little, panting at the close contact. When she felt her cheeks warming, she looked down at his chest, hoping he would not notice that blush.
“You come to speak to me, yet I do not truly understand why,” the Duke continued on. “Other than enjoying our dance, of course.”
“Yes, enjoy indeed.”
“A great pleasure, isn’t it?” he said with thick sarcasm. For some reason, the idea that he might have hated dancing with her made her feel small. She continued to stare into his chest, refusing to look him in the eye. “What do you wish me to do now? I have helped Robert obtain the match, that is all.”
“Yet our families could separate themselves from the both of them. Do you wish for that to happen?” Helena asked, outraged at his blasé attitude. “I will not have my parents hold onto their anger forever. I believe I must help Julia. I have to help her find a way to make the families find some peace.”
“Peace?” he spluttered, looking down at her wide-eyed. This close, she could see that her previous perception of his eyes had been wrong. They were green, partly the color of the ocean, yet there were small golden flecks inside them. They were quite intoxicating to stare at.
Maybe I’ve had too much wine.
She tore her gaze away.
