Page 77 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
His face in the mirror was intent, his touch gentle.
A spark of something sour rose in her breast. ‘You have done this before.’
Jealousy. Surely not?
‘I believe I have.’ His voice was distant. His expression remote.
‘You believe?’ The edge of her annoyance sharpened.
His gaze focussed. He looked at her in the mirror.
‘It isn’t important.’
‘I am sure it isn’t.’ Mistresses were ten a penny no doubt, and likely he’d had a score of them.
He put the brush down.
She gathered her hair in one hand and deftly twisted it into a bun at her nape. She pinned it firmly.
‘Amazing,’ he said.
Not so amazing when you were left on your own for weeks on end to tend to yourself.
‘I am ready,’ she said.
‘Wait. I will escort you.’ He sat and pulled on his pantaloons.
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea,’ she said and went into the living room to fetch her hat and her reticule.
He stood in the doorway of the bedroom watching.
‘When shall I see you again?’ he asked.
The thought of seeing him again made her foolish heart tumble over.
No. No. It was not that she wanted to see him. She had to see him. And at some point be seen.
‘Same time next week?’
‘But you will come to the theatre with me in the meantime. I have a box at Covent Garden. I will send a message.’
‘Go with you alone?’ she said, startled and intrigued. Perhaps this would be her opportunity.
‘Certainly not. I will invite a group of friends. Julian. A couple of others that you know.’
Something she could use to her advantage? She would have to think about it.
‘I will invite your aunt also, of course.’
Bother. She hated the idea of embarrassing Aunt Lenore. ‘I am not some debutante in need of a chaperone, youknow.’
He frowned.
She did not want to arouse any suspicions in his mind. She waved an airy hand. ‘It is your party. You must do as you wish.’
When she stepped out onto the front step, he remained in the shadows of the small hallway. The door closed with a sharp click.
A feeling of joy filled her. Joy and wonder and happiness. She almost skipped up the front path. Why? Because of the way he made her feel? Surely not. No. It was because everything was going according to plan.
