“I do apologize for my overzealousness. Lady Hannah, this broth is simply delicious. I must beg your cook for a recipe.”
Elias’s lips twitched.
She was a genius.
Lord Frenwick’s wife stared down at her, aghast. Her slimy husband seemed similarly affected.
His sister, however, broke into her first genuine smile of the day. “I am so pleased you enjoyed it.”
Low murmurs spread across the table. It was deeply ironic that a single sound could cause unrivaled scorn when everyone was content with letting an insult pass without remark. Yet nothing but pure warmth filled Elias to the brim as he took it all in—the confusion and shock of the guests, and the perfectly composed Lady May, who caught his eye.
You are something special.
“I do not think it appropriate—” Frenwick’s wife piped up once more, but this time, it was Elias who slurped the soup with gusto.
“I declare, you must stop feeding us so well, Sister, if you expect us to fit into our best for your nuptials.”
The effect was immediate: the guests followed suit, adopting this breach of manners as if it were the latest fashion. He was, after all, a duke.
Elias could not help but wink at Lady May and had the joy of seeing her eyes widen and the corners of her lips turn up in response. Then, she schooled her features back into propriety, and Elias’s sweet warmth turned into a roaring fire.
Was he imagining the furtive looks she sent him for the rest of the night? Was he being too bold for attributing her nervous fidgeting with the edge of her napkin to his account?
He would not, if not for the blush that filled her cheeks every time he caught her looking.
He knew she had not forgotten the other night. But could it be that she was reconsidering her decision? Elias ought to let the matter lie, but how could he let her exit his life as if nothing happened?
The dinner came to an end with agonizing slowness. He picked his moment to pull Lady May aside as the last stragglers were bidding their goodbyes to Hannah.
“I have learned much about you tonight, My Lady.”
“Now you know my good breeding has been vastly exaggerated. I beg the duke’s forgiveness.” She seemed resigned on the surface, but that clearly was just an act—nervousness still haunted her limbs. Was she so concerned with his judgment?
“Tonight, especially, I find you without fault.”
This woman, who was a mystery, filling his mind and his body. It was as though he reached to peel back a sliver of her mask but saw right through it instead. Elias did not need to know every detail of her existence, not when he knew what truly mattered. She was kind, generous, and protective… If he did not know she was a professional seductress, he’d never have believed her capable.
“You do?” She held onto her own forearms as if they were the only thing keeping her upright.
“You need only say the word, and I would worship at your feet.” His voice dropped, heavy with feeling. What he wouldn’t give to hold her.
“You are teasing me.”
“It is no secret I hold you in high regard, but as for you... I do not ask for anything, except… would you tell me if you’ve had a change of heart?”
Consequences be damned, he knew what he wanted. But was he the only one? He could have sworn by Lady May’s whitened knuckles that she was holding on to her propriety with difficulty.
“I promise that I would.”
Before either one of them could say anything else, the return of his sister cut their conversation short.
Would, notwill. As the night drew to a close and they withdrew into their separate wings and suffocating rooms, Elias realized he had never loathed grammar this much before.
Had May really had a change of heart?
Or was it just that her defenses wore thin at the duke’s onslaught?
He just had to match her insane attempt at a diversion at the dinner, sending butterflies whirling through her insides. She still blushed at the memory of it: aduke, abandoning all social graces, forher.
