Page 19 of Claiming his Cursed Duchess
She straightened her spine, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. She smoothed her gown, the silk whispering against her gloved hands. She would not let him see her fear or doubt—or her scars.
The meal was a silent affair, the only sound the clinking of silverware. Adam ate with a voracious appetite, his eyes never leaving his plate. Rosaline picked at her food, her mind racing.
He’s a beast, a man of few words, but there’s something about him…something intriguing.
She couldn’t help but steal glances at him, her heart pounding in her chest.
After dinner, Adam retired to his study, leaving Rosaline alone with her thoughts.
She decided to explore the gardens, hoping to clear her head. The gardens were a stark contrast to the gloomy interior of the manor. The air was fresh and crisp, and the colorful flowers were a welcome sight.
As she wandered through the maze, she stumbled upon a hidden alcove.
Inside, she found a small, secluded garden, a peaceful oasis hidden from the rest of the world.
She sat on a stone bench, gazing at the stars. For a moment, she felt a sense of peace, a sense of calm in spite of the tempest that fate had thrown her into.
No, not fate this time.Rosaline set her shoulders.This was no stormy accident of destiny, this was engineered by my scheming uncle.
Now she was trapped in this loveless marriage, a prisoner in her own gilded cage. She had no idea what the future held, but she knew one thing for sure; she would not be a victim. She would fight for her own happiness, no matter the cost.
A shadow fell over her, and she looked up to find Adam standing at the mouth of her little alcove. His eyes, which had been so cold and distant all day, seemed softer in the shadows.
“You seem lost,” he said, his deep voice surprisingly gentle.
Rosaline stood up, brushing off imaginary dirt from her skirt.
“I was merely enjoying the solitude,” she replied, her voice steady.
Adam raised an eyebrow. “Solitude? In a garden filled with life?” He stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Or perhaps you were seeking something more?”
“What could I be seeking here?” Rosaline looked around the garden.
“Beauty.” Adam replied, the weight of his intense gaze leaving Rosaline breathless as a blush colored her cheeks.
Glancing away from the duke, Rosaline cast her eyes at the flowers around her.
“And you came here seeking beauty, I suppose? Have you found it?” She looked up at him, chin tilted up in a challenge, exposing the pale column of her throat.
Adam’s gaze shifted slowly from Rosaline’s neck to meet her eyes again.
“Beauty is always abundant in this garden.” Adam replied cryptically, hesitating for a beat before adding, more quietly, “Now more than ever.” His deep, husky whisper sent a shiver through Rosaline.
The duke took a step forward, and Rosaline gasped at his closeness, bosom heaving against the confines of her corset as she felt his legs stir her skirts.
Her full lips parted slightly, breath leaving her in a rush, and she imagined she could feel an impossible heat radiating from the duke as his eyes darkened with something that made Rosaline feel deliciously helpless.
“Are you the type of man to pass beauty by, to let it flower and fade in your garden?” Rosaline asked, her voice as soft as a rose petal.
“I am the type of man to appreciate beauty as it truly deserves—pursuing, preserving, and indulging it.” His voice was low andrough, his intense gaze so hypnotic that a gasp was startled from Rosaline when Adam’s large, warm hand cupped the side of her neck, pulling her closer, tipping her face up towards his.
Rosaline could feel his warm breath against her face, and something hot fluttered in her core, some insistent sense of longing and need she had never felt before, making her blink at the duke, unable to form words.
Adam held her there for a moment, so close, his hand gentle at her throat, before a rustling sound drew his attention and he stepped back, turning away.
“Your Grace.” A voice made her jolt, and Rosaline felt cold where he no longer touched her, shivering as Adam pulled his hand away.
They turned around to find the butler.
