Page 36 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
"You look flushed. I should fetch you some punch," he said. "I will only be a moment."
She tried to regulate her heart, placing a hand against her cheeks to cool them but as she did, she felt someone bump into her and before she could turn, she heard his voice behind her.
Hadn't he done enough already?
"Pardon me, Lady Cecilia," he said. "I did not see you."
She turned to him and he had a sedate smile on his face but his eyes held mischief and so much dark promise that her intrigue was piqued.
"Your Grace," she greeted, remembering they were in public and eyes were on them. "It is forgiven. Mistakes do happen."
Eyes always followed the duke when he was a guest at a party, she had noticed since they had begun their deal, and she had now joined the number of those who watched him. the only difference was she had his eyes in turn and the thought had her meeting his eyes with confidence.
He grinned wolfishly, exposing the side of him he only showed to her in private but as soon as he had done so, he buried it returning to the image of the charming Duke of Emerton.
"But not often where I am concerned," he said softly. "I do everything perfectly."
"You admit to bumping into me intentionally," she accused.
"I will not say anything that admits or denies guilt," he told her.
She saw some society mamas whispering behind their fans and they had no doubt noted how she conversed alone with him without a chaperone in sight.
She had forgotten she couldn't allow word of their acquaintance reach her brother's ears or she would get another lecture she didn't need.
"We cannot continue to be seen together," she told him, sending a glance around the room.
He nodded and leaned forward.
"Meet me in the library then," he whispered. "Do not keep me waiting."
She stiffened at the feel of his hot breath by her ear and stole a glance around the room to see if anyone noticed her reaction to him but thankfully they had all returned to their conversation now that he had left her.
She chewed her lip as she watched him ascend the steps out of the ballroom. If she were to follow that same path, someone would definitely suspect a scandal was afoot and would follow her.
It was entirely improper, what he was suggesting. The library was hardly private and was the most common place for scandals to occur.
Still, she was sorely tempted.
Just a few stolen moments with him filled her with more fire and longing than any of the gentlemen that she had conversed with.
She eyed the door leading to the hallway and went in. If anyone saw her, they would assume she was heading to the powder room and not chasing after a duke to near ruination.
"You came," he said when she stepped into the library.
He sounded so close yet so far away and in the dim lighting, she could not see him.
"Close the door, little mouse," he instructed from the near darkness. "You do not want anyone knowing we are both here unchaperoned, do you? That would ruin our fun for the evening."
She did as he said, gasping when she felt him slide up against her. He had been deathly silent when he moved that she hadn't even heard or felt it.
Now that he stood so close to her, his heat welcomed her like a familiar caress that she leaned into.
He chuckled behind her and wrapped a hand around her waist.
"You missed me, did you?" he whispered, nipping her ear softly.
Heat shot through her unlike anything she had ever felt and she felt herself sag against him.
