Page 31 of The Duke of Fire
Sebastian.
At first, he seemed engrossed in conversation with a couple of gentlemen hidden from view. Amelia was right about the type of outfit he would wear, as he donned black and silver. She watched him, feeling emboldened because of the distance and his preoccupation.
Then, he turned as if he could feel her. His gaze landed on her and stayed. It did not glance or skim. It devoured her. She felt naked, even though she was well covered with lace and silk. She burned. Her right hand reached for her neck, as if the gesture would help her breathe.
Matching his stare for stare, she barely registered the soft rustling behind her.
“Sebastian can have that effect on women,” came a voice, rich with amusement.
Amelia twirled around to see the Dowager Duchess of Firaine standing beside her. She blushed furiously, realizing that someone had been observing her lusting after the Duke of Firaine—his very grandmother of all people!
The dowager duchess was elegant as expected, wearing a gown of deep violet. Her braided silver hair formed a crown over her head. But even though she was dressed like a queen, there was still something sharp about her.
“Your Grace,” she curtsied, but the dowager waved it away. “I am honored to be here.”
“Oh, none of that tonight, dear. You know who invited you. Finally, we have an opportunity to speak plainly,” the dowager said, not unkindly.
The dowager gestured toward an alcove just a few feet away. They could also sit there. Amelia followed, her heart hammering in her chest.
“The duke is not fond of these affairs,” the dowager said as they sat. “He is here, which surprises me. But I suspect he will vanish soon.”
Amelia was disappointed, but she tried her best to keep her expression impassive.
“Oh, I see. Am I to accompany you then, Your Grace? I was not certain what to make of my invitation,” she said honestly.
“I believe you know the answer to your own question, Miss Warton. Though if I were you, I would be careful around my grandson.”
Amelia’s hands were in her lap. She was tempted to rub her fingers together. She could not help but look down on them,though.
“Your Grace, I hope you do not mind, but I would like to know more about His Grace. Was he… always like that?” she asked, deciding that she would push forward.
“My grandson was always clever,” the dowager replied, but though her expression softened, there was what looked like regret on her face. “But he was hurt very young,” the dowager duchess continued. “By the people who should be taking care of him. He is not a man who can be approached easily.”
“I am so sorry to hear that. He does seem… guarded,” Amelia said, marveling at how her words actually made sense.
“He is, Miss Warton. He is guarded even from me, and I only want what is best for him.”
It might be Amelia’s imagination, but it seemed like the older woman’s voice had taken a new edge. She did not know how to respond to that. So, silence reigned between them for a short while. It was at that moment that Amelia became aware of the music from the ballroom once more.
“He is not the marrying kind, Miss Warton.” The dowager duchess suddenly broke the silence.
“I—pardon, Your Grace?” Amelia was startled by the way the conversation had steered that way.
“Sebastian is fond of games.”
Amelia thought of the card game she had found herself playing as if it were her idea all along.
“But not of permanence. He tires of things easily. So, he is not fit for vows.”
She thought of the presents and that she had thought for a moment that she was special. Of course. She was a fool. Octavia was perhaps right about her.
“Your Grace… The duke has not mentioned anything close to a courtship or the corruption of it.”
“Of course not,” the older woman said. “But you are a clever girl. So, if it is marriage you want, you should save yourself the heartache and look elsewhere. He will pursue, if he has not already, but it will not lead to that happy ending every good girl wants.”
Amelia’s hands curled into fists. Her throat felt tight as she understood the implication of what the dowager was saying. It was a warning, but she was not who she thought she was. She was not after the duke. She only wanted freedom.
But there were things she could not just say if she wanted her plans to work.
