Page 21 of Trapped with a Wicked Duke
With a malevolent expression on her face, he saw Miss Jameson smile. Before he could pull Rose out of her path, Poppy pretended to stumble and spilled her drink onto Rose's hair.
Thomas quickly moved to intervene, grabbing Poppy by the hand and pulling her away from the ballroom. "I am sorry," he said, his voice filled with anger. "This is why I had no one to help me."
Chapter Ten
Rose followed Thomas and Miss Jameson down the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She could not help but feel curious about the strange encounter at the ballroom and the woman who had spilled her drink on her. She walked cautiously, trying to keep a safe distance while still being able to hear their conversation.
As they entered the library, Rose's eyes were drawn to the warm glow of the lanterns illuminating the room. The scent of leather and old books filled her nose as she approached the door, peering inside. She saw Thomas and the woman standing by the fireplace, their voices low and intense. She could not make out their words, but she could tell that their conversation was heated.
Rose's heart raced as she wondered what could be happening. She felt a sense of trepidation and fear, but she was also determined to find out what was going on. She took a deep breath and stepped inside the library, trying to remain unnoticed.
As Rose peered into the library, she watched Miss Jameson throw herself at Thomas. Poppy was a beautiful woman, with a figure that was the envy of many ladies in theton.
"Thomas, my love," Miss Jameson cooed, her voice dripping with honey. "You know that I would do anything to be with you."
Thomas took a step back, his face a mask devoid of emotion. "Poppy, I have told you before, you and I are not meant to be. Please. You should find someone who will appreciate you and love you. I, unfortunately, am not that man."
But Miss Jameson was not so easily deterred. "If you do not marry me, I will make sure that everyone knows what a monster you are. And I will make sure that the next time I see that woman you were with," she spat, "I will harm her."
Thomas' face darkened, and he took a step toward Miss Jameson. "You will not lay a finger on her. I will not tolerate your threats anymore."
Miss Jameson's face twisted in anger. "You will regret this, Thomas. You will see."
Rose was shocked by the vitriol in Miss Jameson's voice. She could not remain silent any longer. She stepped out from her hiding place. "No woman should beg for a man's attention. It serves no purpose but to humiliate you. You deserve someone far better than the duke here. He is nothing to break your heart over."
Miss Jameson did not even spare Rose a glance, instead, she focused all her anger on Thomas. "This is not over," she warned, before turning on her heel and storming out of the library.
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief as Miss Jameson left. He turned to Rose and offered her a small smile. "Thank you," he said, "for stepping in. I appreciate it."
Rose crossed her arms, still feeling uneasy. "You should not play with a woman's heart," she scolded him. "It can lead to dangerous consequences."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "Do you speak from experience?" he asked.
Rose was about to respond when she felt Thomas's hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. She tried to resist, but Thomas slowly leaned in, his eyes locked on Rose's. She felt her heart race as their lips finally met in a soft, tender kiss.
Their bodies pressed close, their hearts beating in time with one another. The kiss was intense but gentle, filled with the promise of something more. Rose's body responded to his touch, her passion rising as she surrendered to the moment.
He did not need any more invitation. His kiss grew more urgent and when she parted her lips slightly, he took full advantage. His tongue entered the velvety warmness of her mouth and she let out a small moan of pleasure. He ran his tongue around her lips, tasting and pulling lightly.
Her hands moved around his neck, and she threaded her fingers through his hair.
He growled softly against her lips. "I want you."
She pulled away from him. "No. We should not… this is not right."
"Isn't it?" Thomas's lids were lowered, and his eyes focused on her lips. He reached up and traced his finger down the side of her face. "You say you do not want it, but I do not believe you."
Before she could protest, he kissed her again before releasing her and striding out of the room. A low chuckle was all that he left her with.
Rose was left standing in the library with her heart racing and her mind a mess. She tried to compose herself, to regain control of her thoughts and emotions. But she found it hard to ignore the way Thomas had made her feel, the way his kiss had set her body on fire. She knew she had to be careful, to keep her guard up around him. She could not let him take advantage of her.
Rose woke up the next morning to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She sat up in bed and looked out the window, admiring the beautiful garden below. She could not deny the fact that she was drawn to Thomas, despite everything.The way he spoke with such conviction and the fire in his eyes made her heart flutter.
She sighed and got out of bed, feeling a sense of confusion. She could not let herself be caught up in his charms. As Hannah helped her to dress for the day, she resolved to keep her distance from Thomas. She would not let herself be drawn into his web.
Rose descended the stairs, her thoughts still preoccupied with the events of the previous night. As she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the warm smell of freshly brewed tea and the sight of the Dowager Duchess, already seated at the table.
"Good morning, my dear," the Dowager Duchess greeted her with a smile. "Did you enjoy the soiree last night?"
