Page 15 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
She was filled with a vivid sense of danger like she had been when they had been alone in that dark corridor.
"You will find no kindness in these halls nor with me, little cat. Most men don't come here to find brides and women don't come here to find husbands. The only thing you can find is pleasure. Hard and fast. No lovemaking here so do not be misguided. You have come to a very dangerous place and you're all alone with a dangerous man smelling as delicious as you do."
She remembered his words vividly and was once again filled with a slick heat that had her aware of his potent charm and presence but if she could keep her wits about him then other men would pale in comparison.
"I do understand, which is why you are a perfect partner," she said, stepping closer to him ignoring how his nostrils flared. "Scoundrels are likely to stay far from me."
"Only because you would be with the biggest scoundrel."
"I will complete all the things on my list, Your Grace, with or without you," she told him, squaring her shoulders. "I am only giving you the chance to protect your conscience."
He looks deep in thought for a moment and she knew if he was considering it then he would help her soon.
Before she could blink, he had pulled her into him and spun so her back was against the wall. She gasped but he didn't give her time to regain her breath as he pressed his body against hers.
"You drive a hard bargain, little mouse, but I will help you," he said, casually fingering a stray lock of her hair. "I can scarcely leave you to do them alone."
"Thank you, Your…"
"Don't thank me just yet." He grinned wolfishly. "You might just find that you regret your decision."
"I won’t, Your Grace."
He nodded.
"You will give me seven nights then," he told her, pulling away from her. "I expect a prompt response when I call for you."
He didn't wait to see if she agreed and stepped out of the room. Cecilia didn't know why she felt like she had just made a bargain with the devil but she felt elated she had gotten her way nonetheless.
CHAPTER 5
In the years since Cecilia had come out in London society, she had come to see marriages - especially the ones between members of nobility - as a lifetime prison sentence. One that was bound in secret contempt and public pretense. That, amongst other reasons, was why she was determined to enjoy her life the best way she could before she submitted herself to be leg shackled in miserable matrimony.
This ideology of hers was always put to the test whenever she was with her friend Ava and her ever attentive duke. Even now he might be outside the room, she knew he remained within earshot to ensure that he could jump in to protect his little family if need be.
The man practically worshipped the ground she walked on and in return his wife, Ava, glowed in a way that only happiness and true love could cause. Even now as she watched her, she felt both happy for her and a little bit envious that she didn't have such love and was unlikely to, given her unique circumstances.
Their love was more baffling whenever she met them, especially because the two seemed to be as different as light and day. Ava being the bright person she was, lit up spaces with her sheer blinding light, chattering and making merry. So it was shocking when she fell in love with the Duke of Gillingham.
The man was like ice -the type that could be found only in the dead of winter. He was always brooding and talked so little that, at some point the members of thetonstarted to spread rumors that he might be mute.
But then, his character was not out of place for a war veteran and while she didn’t know what could have forced him into the path of war, she knew it was nonetheless pleasing than what had forced her brother.
He had tried to spare her the reality of their father’s behavior but though she was young, she had still been aware of the truth of things.
Living with one, she understood how continuous exposure to violence could cause deep scars, uglier than the physical ones. Every day she thanked the heavens that her brother was still here with her, even though he could be insufferable.
Considering the nightmares her brother still suffered on some nights, she could not imagine how it had been for her brother's friends who had stayed in service longer. While her parents' death was a tragedy, it was also ironically a blessing that has saved Magnus from more years of torture, violence, and bloodshed.
While it was surprising that Ava had married the Duke of Gillingham, it wasn't quite so far-fetched, because knowing Ava, she was probably the only person on the planet that could probably illuminate the darkest corner of the planet with her sheer internal light.
She was sure the Duke had no other choice than to succumb to her tempting luminescence. Little wonder the man was willing to give his life to keep her in his life. And why won't he? He looked happier with no hint of the gloominess that followed her brother and his friends like an unseen specter.
Well that could not be said of all of them, because Theo was an exception. With his annoying cheerfulness and mischievous wit, he was the polar opposite of his friends, but Cecilia had a sneaking feeling that when it came to Theo, there was more to him than met the eye. It was there in the dark shadows that crossed his eyes and on the edge of his laughter lines. He didn't quite hide his demons as well as he thought he did.
Theo was dangerous and quite distracting and disastrous to her mood. She couldn't afford to be drawn into thoughts about him, not when she was supposed to be celebrating the birth of her dear friend's beautiful daughter.
"I could swear she had your eye shade. She looks exactly like you, dear Ava," Eveline, Duchess of Mayfield and Ava's sister, exclaimed. Her excitement brought a smile to Cecilia's lips. Eveline had only the week earlier informed them of her pregnancy and how excited she was to have a child. If left alone,she might proclaim the child an angel that simply descended from heaven, the laws of childbirth be damned.
