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She glanced at him and heat flushed through her when she saw that he was undressing, his lids lowered with intent.
“Surely you jest, there must be hundreds,” she said, and tried to clear the huskiness from her voice. “I had thought the manner in which we wed would have society shunning me.”
“Come here, duchess.”
She arched a brow, and he smiled.
“Please,” he said with warm sensuality.
She sauntered over to him, and his eyes tracked her movements. He untied her bonnet and tugged the pins from her hair, tumbling the heavy coil to her back. With a sharp tug, he made her stumble into him, then clasped her hips with infinite gentleness. Yet there was nothing gentle in his mien when he spoke, only an icy ruthlessness that made her shivered.
“Society will gossip about you—us—always, but you are the Duchess of Wolverton. You cannot be cut, it is you now who decides who will enter your circle.”
Cannot be cut.
She withdrew from his embrace and moved to the table and selected a few. After breaking the seal of the first three, she lifted her head. “There is an invitation to the Marchioness of Deerwood’s annual ball. That is tonight.”
“Would you like to attend?”
“It is truly strange. My stepmother had always wanted an inv
itation to this much coveted event, and now I am inundated. Perhaps I shall invite them for a visit from Bath, surely Papa and Lady Margaret will be happy to attend.”
“If that is your wish.”
She glanced at him and grinned. “You are naked, Edmond.”
“A state you will soon be in, Duchess.”
“We are attending this ball tonight.”
“Ah…so that gives us three hours. I have been meaning to make use of that sinful mouth of yours.”
“Doing?” she purred, sauntering over to him.
“You shall see, Adeline.” Then he took her lips in a kiss, and for this moment all else was forgotten as Edmond’s touch roused the unquenchable desire inside once more.
…
Adel donned a dark green gown and the bodice was low enough just to show the flush of her décolletage, and the cinched high waist of the empire gown fell in straight lines to her delicate ankles. Her hair had been curled and arranged in a high pile upon her head, with tendrils cascading down her cheeks. A truly exquisite emerald and diamond necklace circled her throat with the matching earrings at her lobes. Edmond had presented to her several pieces of stunning jewels he’d had England’s most renowned jeweler make for her. Adel had never felt more beautiful and tonight she would be walking out in society for the first time as the Duchess of Wolverton.
She descended the stairs, and a smile burst from her lips at her duke’s regard.
His bold, admiring gaze swept over her. “You are ravishing, Adeline.”
“It is kind of you to say so,” she said huskily.
“It is not a kindness. You are beautiful, and there are times my heart shudders at the knowledge if you had not climbed into my bed, I would not be so content now. I will be the envy of many men tonight, and if any those jaded rakes looks at you for more than a few seconds, I foresee having many duels to fight in the upcoming months,” he teased.
She laughed. “With my too-dark hair and pale skin, I know I am only passably pretty, but I welcome the words ravishing and beautiful from your lips always.”
His mood turned serious, and his eyes blazed with possessiveness and something more heated than she was unable to identify.
“You are very dashing yourself, Your Grace.”
He was sinful. The cut of his evening clothes was impeccable. Edmond was dressed in stark black and white, with a very elegant and intricately tied cravat. His dark hair was tamed almost severely, the cut highlighting the savage beauty of his face and his nose, which was chiseled sharply, aquiline and proud.
He helped her with her cloak and in short order, they were whisked away in their town carriage.
