Page 8 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
Could Cecilia have dropped it?
He picked up and perused its contents, anger leaving him with each word he read. Soon, a full-blown smile was spread across his face and he couldn't help but chuckle.
The evening had sure had a lot of surprises for him. At least this was a surprise that called to his humorous side very much but he needed to return home so he could fully enjoy said turn of events.
He stepped into the central hall and made his way up the hidden winding steps to find the host of the evening's festivities to say his goodbyes. He wouldn't tell her now what had happened or she would scour the rest of the guests present to prevent such an incident happening again but he would do so later in the week when she would have returned to her home in the country.
He found her entangled with a male in nothing but a wolf mask and a kilt and he smiled at the scene. He could trust Selena to secure her own entertainment for the evening and perhaps the week if the man turned out to be skilled at pleasing her.
The beautiful brunette smiled at him, waving off herentertainmentand came to place a kiss on his cheek.
"Join us, Your Grace," she invited with a flirtatious flip of her luscious brown hair. "Three is hardly a crowd here."
"While I am flattered, I must refuse your gracious invitation, Selena," he told her with a nod. "I only came to give my greetings and say my goodbyes. I must take my leave."
"You're leaving already, Your Grace?" she asked with a pout. "The night is still young. Did I fail to put on a thrill this time?"
"On the contrary,cara mia," he answered. "Your party was as interesting as ever but I have found enough excitement for the evening."
She raised a brow, visibly curious.
"I hope she continues to provide you excitement."
"I didn't say it was ashe, Selena," he teased.
"I didn't think you had decided to start experimenting at your age, Your Grace," she winked.
He didn't say anything but kissed her hand and left her to continue what he had interrupted. Around him, moans filled the air betraying what was happening in the alcoves. She had puton another successful event but instead of head home with a partner, he would be thinking about the girl that had captured his attention.
He thought back to the letter in his pockets and smiled when he stepped out into the cold air.
He hailed a hansom, already picturing the many ways he could exploit the secret he and the stubborn girl now shared and her list in his hands gave him ample opportunity to ensure she didn't do anything silly.
Since she had decided to provoke him into the role of an older brother, he would ensure he was the best there ever was.
After a long soak in the bath and a luxurious dinner, he opened Cecilia's list, chuckling to himself as he read. Written in such elegant font, one might assume the list would be anything but the scandalous list in his hands.
List of things to do before I marry any cad my brother chooses:
Attend a scandalous party and kiss a man
Dance an unforgettable waltz where my heart threatens to leap out of my chest.
Swim naked
Let a man touch my body
Gamble
Wear something scandalous
Have a luxurious dinner without concern for propriety.
Stand up to my brother and tell him to get his head out of his arse.
Theo couldn't help but laugh at that last line. Oh how he would love to see that. He would love to see it very much.
Magnus thought his sister some sweet delicate flower to be protected and locked away but she was a spit fire waiting for the right chance to burn freely and the thought had a mischievous fire swirling in his blood.
