Page 81 of Duke of Wickedness
“And he isn’t old where it counts,” the younger man added slyly, reaching a hand toward his partner’s lap, lest Ariadne risk missing his meaning.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said with a laugh, because really, there was no other reaction to their incorrigible invitation. “But I’m happy where I am.”
She hoped that the words didn’t soundtootrue.
“Our host has all the luck,” the first gentleman said, which caused his partner to squawk in protest until the older man kissed him soundly, cutting off any arguments.
Ariadne and David left them to it, descending the rest of the way down the stairs.
They moved through the party, attracting many, many looks and a handful of comments, most of which were invitations in the vein of the two gentlemen. Ariadne laughed and smiled at everyone, but she didn’t accept any of the offers. They were all given in good spirits—and the rejections were taken in the same manner—and Ariadne found that she had fun laughing and teasing with the crowd.
She didn’t intentionally snub anyone, but when she walked past a man, not realizing that he’d been trying to get her attention, she felt his grasp on her wrist.
He held tight, half jerking her off David’s arm.
“I wastalkingto you,” the man snarled.
That was as far as he got before he broke off with a yelp, as David grasped one of his fingers, prying it off Ariadne’s wrist and then bending it back until the man had to drop to his knees to avoid the digit breaking.
David wasn’t the only one to leap to Ariadne’s defense; several of the gentlemen nearby also seized the attacker, pulling him back. Even one lady joined in, viciously grabbing a handful of the man’s hair.
None of their vitriol could compete with the icy fury in David’s eyes, however.
“You are going to leave,” he said. “You are never going to come back. And you are going to be grateful that I am not going to ruin you in Society.”
“But—” the man protested.
“Nowhere in that list did I say that you were going to argue with me,” David went on, so dangerously, dangerously calm. “That was your once chance. Try anything else—anything—and you are over.”
The man snapped his mouth shut. This, Ariadne thought, was the first bit of wisdom he had shown yet.
Several footmen, who had proven perfectly impassive whenever Ariadne had passed them over the course of the party,approached, only now allowing themselves to show emotion. It was disgust. Pure disgust.
And it was directed only at the attacker.
She understood that she was likely paying attention to the wrong thing here, at least for just this moment, but it really was so incredible, this place that David had built. A place where the only thing that wasn’t accepted was cruelty.
She ducked her head against a smile as she tucked herself a little closer to David’s side. He didn’t even seem to have to think about it as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into him.
“Get him out of here,” David commanded the footmen, who replaced the guests’ restraining grips with their own none-too-gentle hands. Ariadne thought she might have seen the lady yank the attacker’s hair just one last time before she released him.
The remaining partygoers watched, expressions sour with distaste, as the footmen dragged the man from the party. They did not bother to be gentle about it. There was a distinct air of satisfaction in the room as he left.
An air of satisfaction that came from everyone… except for David. Because David, the instant the man was out of arm’s reach, turned to Ariadne and cradled her wrist like he feared even breathing too hard on it would have devastating effects.
“Are you hurt?” he asked fretfully. “Do you need a warm compress? A cold compress?”
She tugged her hand from his grasp, then placed it against his cheek, taking care not to dislodge his mask. After that little display, there was no mistaking David’s identity, but she still wanted to honor the rules of the evening.
“I’m fine,” she told him, not releasing his face until he met her gaze and saw her sincerity. “I promise you.”
He sucked in a breath. It sounded a touch shaky.
“Good,” he said quietly. “I’m… Good.”
The guests’ attention was fading away from the footmen and the protesting former guest, and Ariadne was absently aware that it was drifting back into her attention. She had already made herself noticeable enough by showing up tonight on David’s arm; she didn’t necessarily want anyone to see this quiet, still moment between them.
But she didn’t want to step away from him, either.
