“You are not very good at this,” he said as he pulled his chair in beside her own. She stiffened…
“Just as you are a little too good.”
“I told you, I have a knack for pretending.”
“Just so long as that is all you are doing.”
He flashed his eyes and then he reached over and rested his hand on top of her own. She almost yanked it away, but he pressed down, forcing it to remain in place.
She eyed his hand. Her pulse quickened. She wanted to believe that his touch repulsed her, but the way her body reacted told a different story.
“Careful now,” he purred gently as he leaned forward. “People are watching…”
Indeed, Celestine glanced around the tea shop and saw immediately how many of the guests were watching them. And they were not being very subtle either! Worse still, as they sat by the window, they were practically on display, and many more walked by and took immediate note of the situation.
“Just don’t get any ideas,” she said as her heart raced.
“Such as?”
“You know exactly what.”
His grin rose up the side of his face and he leaned in closer. “As you said, this is all for show. When we are in public, expect me to treat you as if the world revolves around you. But when we are alone…” He flashed his eyes as she caught her breath. “Well, I might not be nearly so nice.”
“Is that a promise,” she said sharply.
“Miss Celestine, believe me when I tell you that you do not want that. Or…” His eyes roamed her body purposefully, lingering on her exposed neck. “Maybe you do.”
Celestine’s body turned warm and her breathing grew heavy. Again, her mind returned to that day in the morning room, when he had pressed his body against hers and taken her earlobe in his mouth. It should have repulsed her. It should have been a warning of what to avoid.
And yet, Celestine could only lie to herself so much.
She dared a closer look at the Duke. His square jaw. His full lips. Further down to his large hands… and further down still to his thighs which bulged in his tight breeches. Her eyes widened before she could stop them, and her mouth salivated…
No!She tore her eyes away and looked ahead.Control yourself, Celestine! Do not even think such things…
Celestine spent the rest of the morning in a state of awkwardness. She smiled. She did not lean away from the Duke. But she refrained from engaging in any conversation, fearing that things were becoming a little too comfortable.
Not that the Duke seemed to mind. He chatted pleasantly, speaking loudly so that all could hear…
“I want to spoil you come our wedding day,” he announced as if to the room. “Whatever your heart desires, it will be yours. Think of it as a foretelling of what is to come.”
She noted the nods of approval from the others in the tea shop. She saw the surprise on their faces, just as she saw the acceptance. It was working… the ruse… the lies… bought and paid for so that she was certain that come the end of the month, none would doubt that this marriage was real.
So long as you do not forget it, Celestine. Do not forget who he is and what this is for.
Easy to say, harder to do. As the day wore on, Celestine found herself growing a little too comfortable around the Duke, such that she enjoyed the way he spoke to her, just as she enjoyed his compliments and charm.
This was dangerous. Worse still, it was only the first day.
Chapter Five
“You’re home!” Millicent appeared at the top of the staircase. “Tell me, everything, Edward! Leave nothing out!”
Edward started at the sight of his niece. Where her appearance was not unexpected, nor was her excitement, it was the gown that she wore which had him balking in surprise.
The gown was a lavish garment of different shades of pink. Its neckline was high, its sleeves were long, but the body was cinched tight at the waist before flowing over her legs so that it swirled as she hurried down the stairs.
“Millicent, what are you wearing?” he asked her.
