Page 23 of The Insufferable Duke
“No, but it must be done,” she whispered. “For Julia.”
“For Robert.” He smiled briefly, yet it didn’t last. “Well, the people here are staring so much; shall I give them one more thing to talk about?”
“What is that?”
He must have sensed her resistance, for he took a tighter hold of her palm before she could release him and raised that hand to his lips. He kissed the back through her glove, holding her gaze all the time.
Such heat and excitement shot through her arm that Helena was breathless.
No wonder he is a rake. One kiss and every woman must melt as I have done, and I have reason to hate him!
He lowered that hand, smirking.
“There’s that blush again.”
“It is a warm room,” she spoke plainly, emphasizing every single word.
“If you wish, we can accept that excuse.” He cleared his throat and stood tall. “Thank you for the dance, Lady Helena. It was certainly a…” he hesitated. That silent air had her stomach knotting in anticipation. “A sort of pleasure,” he said, his tone so tight it was plain he was being sarcastic.
He released her hand and stepped away, disappearing so quickly into the crowd that she did not see him after a few seconds. She returned her gaze to stare at the empty space he had left behind, feeling strangely bereft after he had gone.
Raising a hand, she fiddled with her necklace, a nervous and stressed action. She couldn’t understand for the life of her why his sarcasm had hurt so much at that moment.
“I hardly care if he did not enjoy the dance, do I?” she muttered then glanced across the room. She caught sight of him, for he was so tall. He was standing at the edge of the room, talking to Lord Sheylough who guffawed in laughter about something. When the Duke of Bridstone looked at her again, her breath caught in her throat.
I do care though. I do care he didn’t enjoy the dance. Why is that?
CHAPTEREIGHT
“I’m so nervous.” Julia fidgeted on the doorstep, constantly rearranging the gloves on her hands and the sleeves of her gown.
“You are almost as restless as your betrothed was when he came to propose,” Helena said with a laugh. “Stop. You look beautiful.” She laid a hand over her sisters to stop her fidgeting. “Would you not agree, Mama?”
Anna stood on Julia’s other side. She had said little on her journey to the Duke of Bridstone’s house and still would not say much.
“Yes,” she said without really glancing at Julia. She much preferred to glare at the door ahead of her.
“This is a good start,” Helena muttered to herself, letting her eyes gaze upon the Duke of Bridstone’s manor.
What a house it is!
She had never seen it before. The yellow-stone frontage stretched far across the lawn. It was dappled with fine windows and such a tall roof that the tiles reached for the clouds. The pillars on either side of the front door were Roman in style, entrancing and welcoming to the guests.
What a place to call home.
The door opened, and the butler welcomed them inside. They walked from the hall to the parlor that had been set up for them with a tea tray. As they wandered the rooms, Helena continued to admire each in turn. The vast marble hallway was flanked with fine paintings and two grand fireplaces. The parlor was warm with a fire roaring on one side and a fine piano on the other side of the room. The shelves were full of books, leading Helena to stand by them, admiring the titles.
“What books these are — some of my favorites,” Helena observed with warmth.
“Yes, my son is the reader in the family.” The cold voice urged them all to turn round. “The Duke of Bridstone.”
The Dowager Duchess of Bridstone stood in the doorway, her expression cool as she looked between Helena and Julia. She had invited Julia to come for tea, but judging by her current expression, it was an invitation that had been reluctantly sent.
The Duke is fond of reading?
Helena jerked her head to look at the shelves one more time, startled by the notion.
“It is teatime. I always have tea at the same time every day, without delay.” The Dowager Duchess waved a hand at the table and sat hurriedly.
