Page 98 of His Forsaken Duchess
The words sent a thrill down her spine, leaving her momentarily speechless. She looked up at him, searching his face for some sign of humor, but there was none. Just a steady, unwavering focus that made her heart stutter.
When did this happen? When did her husband—so stoic, so infuriatingly impossible—begin to unsettle her so completely?
Before she could answer, the music swelled to its crescendo, and Cedric guided her into the closing steps with an elegance that belied his earlier protests. When the last note faded, he released her, bowing slightly.
Audrey curtsied, her lips twitching in amusement. “Not out of practice at all, I see.”
His smile was faint but undeniably smug. “I do believe I had an excellent partner.”
Audrey was about to step away, still smiling as she adjusted her gloves, when the opening strains of a waltz floated through the ballroom. Her heart rate quickened as she turned back to Cedric, only to find him watching her intently.
“Another dance?” he asked.
Audrey blinked. “The waltz?”
“Yes.” He held out his hand to her, his gaze unwavering.
Audrey hesitated, her pulse fluttering. “Cedric, we’ve already danced. Twice would be scandalous.”
“Let it be scandalous, then,” he replied, his voice quiet but firm. “I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
Thirty-Four
“Youshouldcare,” Audrey said, though her words lacked conviction.
His lips curled into a smile that was both wicked and earnest. “Some rules were made to be broken, Audrey. Especially when my wife looks as beautiful as she does tonight.”
The compliment—delivered so plainly, so sincerely—sent heat to her cheeks. Before she could protest, Cedric took her hand and led her back onto the dance floor.
As the music began, he drew her close—closer than propriety allowed—and her breath caught. His hand on her waist was firm and warm, his touch steady as he guided her into the steps of the waltz.
“You are entirely too confident,” she murmured, though her voice trembled slightly.
“Not at all,” he replied, holding her gaze as they moved. “I’m simply determined.”
“To cause a scandal?”
“To dance with my wife.”
Audrey’s heart fluttered traitorously. “I daresay we’ll be talked about for days.”
“Let them talk,” Cedric said softly, his voice like a low rumble of thunder. “I’ve no interest in anyone’s opinion but yours.”
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at him, her lips parting. The candlelight softened the sharp lines of his face, highlighting the warmth in his dark eyes, the faint smile that seemed reserved for her alone.
Audrey swallowed hard, suddenly overwhelmed by howrealhe felt in this moment—how steady, how present.
“You’re insufferable,” she whispered.
“And you’re beautiful,” he replied without hesitation.
Audrey’s heart stuttered, her feet faltering for just a moment before Cedric steadied her with a gentle pressure at her waist.
“Focus, Duchess,” he teased. “I would hate to embarrass myself, after all.”
She laughed softly, though it came out more like a breath. “I thought you were out of practice.”
“I’m motivated,” he said simply.
