Page 5 of Healing the Duke's Desires
“Don’t you think, so?” Sarah asked, but this time, Emily was barely listening. Her eyes frantically scanned the room, in search of the man whose presence here symbolized the end of life as she knew it. “Emily?” her sister called out, worry laced in her voice.
Emily turned to face Sarah. “Sorry?”
Sarah frowned. “You are not here. Is something bothering you?”
Emily forced herself to smile. She would not burden her sister with the real state of affairs at home. Their family’s dire situation would be her burden alone.
“Oh… I was merely listening to the music,” she replied. “And looking at the people, wondering if I would see anyone… familiar.”
Emily silently congratulated herself on this response. Technically, it was not a lie. It was not the whole truth, either, but it would have to do for now.
“You mean, if anyone would catch your eye?” Sarah teased, leaning closer to her sister so no one might overhear them.
“Maybe,” Emily said, this time actually chuckling. Her sister always managed to make her forget all about her woes, if only for a few precious moments.
“And do you see anyone worthy of interest?” Sarah wondered, her own gaze now turned to the crowd of cheerful faces who could not seem to stop talking to one another.
“No, I’m afraid not.” Emily shrugged.
“Do not worry,” Sarah said wisely. “The night has only begun.”
That is exactly what I am afraid of,Emily thought, but she managed to bite her tongue in time to keep this within the confines of her mind.
“You are right,” she said instead, glancing at the refreshments table. “Why don’t we go and get something to drink?”
“Yes, let’s.” Sarah nodded, and the two ladies, hand in hand, headed towards the refreshments table. “Do you think Father would mind if I tried champagne?”
Emily couldn’t help but chuckle. “Champagne?”
“Why not?” Sarah laughed mischievously. “You drink punch.”
“Sometimes,” Emily corrected her. “Most of the time, I prefer lemonade.”
“Ah, lemonade is such a dull drink,” Sarah said playfully, fanning herself with her hand, so she now sounded like an old dowager who was rather displeased with everything at the ball. Both ladies chuckled amusedly at this little theatrical show.
“Let’s just have lemonade, you silly thing,” Emily urged as they reached the table. “I don’t think that—” she started, but she wasn’t allowed to finish her sentence because the Fairchild family butler was announcing the arrival of obviously very important guests.
“The Duke and Duchess of Ravenswood, accompanied by Lady Rose,” the butler spoke, as the music toned the sound down so the words could be heard.
The grand ballroom fell into an unexpected, hushed silence upon hearing those named. Emily wondered why. All eyes were turned in the direction of the entrance, where the trio made a regal entrance, with the two ladies’ arms locked on both sides of the man they were with.
She could feel the collective hush that fell upon the room as all eyes turned toward him, and she understood why. The man exuded an air of confidence and elegance that was simply captivating.
All the guests seemed to be drawn to him. His presence demanded attention, and the entire ballroom burst to life with whispers and hushed murmurs of admiration. He was a man of striking presence, standing tall. His dark, tousled hair framed a face that exuded a sense of confidence. Emily was too far away to see his eyes, and for some reason, the desire for her to do so was enormous.
His attire was impeccable, adorned in a well-tailored coat and waistcoat that only seemed to accentuate his broad shoulders and lean physique. As the trio moved, every movement he made was effortless, at the same time demanding attention as well as refusing it.
But there was something about the way he did not pay attention to anyone. There was an air of mystery about him, as if he held a thousand untold stories buried within his soul. His gaze held a hint of depth and intrigue, suggesting he had seen the world and carried its secrets with him. When he focused it on her, Emily could barely stifle her gasp.
His charm extended beyond mere words; it was a magnetic quality that drew people to him like a moth to a flame. Her entire body awakened with desire, wondering what his skin would feel like if she touched him. He oozed something that she wanted, but she was too afraid, too embarrassed to admit what that something was, although the sensation was tangible.
That was how she felt as he held her gaze, walking with the ladies toward one of the seating arrangements. Emily’s heart was stirred by the enigma that was this mysterious man, who had left an indelible impression on her without having spoken a single word.
“Emily?” she heard her sister’s voice being whispered in her ear. “What on earth are you doing!?” Emily had not realized that one could whisper and shout at the same time. It was a most strange sound that was now coming from her sister. “You look like you are about to seduce that man all the way from across the ballroom!”
She quickly averted her gaze from the intense stare of the Duke of Ravenswood, feeling her heart race in her chest. She couldn’t believe her fascination with the charming gentleman had been so apparent, and the thought of trying to seduce him from across the ballroom made her cheeks burn even hotter.
“What?” She turned to her sister. “I… I wasn’t trying to seduce him, don’t be silly. I was merely… admiring the grandeur of the ballroom.”
