Page 35 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
Why she would be thinking something so improper now, she couldn't understand.
"I thank you," she told him. "Are you enjoying your evening?"
He moved to answer but she caught Emerton descending the stairs into the room with a small smile on his face. Her eyesfollowed him as he made his turn about the room, greeting and socializing with a confident smile on his face. She noticed it wasn't any like the smiles he gave her but was sedate, polite, nothing at all like the man with such decadent desires.
"Lady Cecilia?"
Her attention was called back to the conversation she had been in with Lord Buckley who looked as though he had asked her a question.
"Pardon me?" she said. "I thought I saw my brother calling for me."
"Oh." He smiled. "It is alright."
He was a pleasant man with a nice smile yet as they conversed, Cecilia felt nothing but blissful cordiality unlike what Emerton made her feel with…
She pushed the thought out of her mind.
She couldn't be thinking of him at a time when she was supposed to be discussing with possible suitors.
"What was your question?" she asked with an apologetic smile.
"I asked if you would like to go on a ride through the park tomorrow?" he repeated with a small smile. "I find conversation with you enjoyable."
"I…" she stuttered. "I would love to."
His smile was bright, which caused her to smile as well though it didn't seem as easy as his.
She should have been happy that he wanted to see her again yet she felt nothing but… numbness.
Her eyes trailed to Emerton, who was conversing with Miss Fiona, something unpleasant pooled in the pit of her stomach when she saw him kiss her hand softly but she swallowed it down.
Of course he would flirt and charm others.
There was nothing between them so she didn't have the right to feel possessive of his attention.
His eyes met hers across the room and she averted her eyes quickly hoping he had been looking past her and not directly at her.
She risked another glance at him and saw he was sporting a triumphant smile as he watched her. His attention was drawn away by the older man at his side who looked nearly identical to him except for their age.
She knew his father had passed on already and knew it would be his uncle. They were deep in conversation and Lord Buckley had started another line of conversation that didn't really require her input so she took the time to organize her thoughts.
Her eyes trailed to him again wondering how long it would be before he turned to her again. She noticed he still had the mocking grin on his face even though he conversed with his some of the noblemen who had come to greet him.
He knew she was watching him yet made no move to look her way. She moved her eyes and noticed another pair on her.
It was the man he had been speaking too earlier and the man smiled softly turning back to his conversation.
Her eyes widened at having been caught by someone staring at the duke when they were not supposed to be acquainted.
Her heart raced as fear assailed her.
What if others noticed as well?
"Are you unwell, Lady Cecilia?" Lord Buckley asked.
She shook her head.
"I am alright, Lord Buckley," she answered, trying for a smile.
