Page 41 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

“If you are willing to give it.”

“Remember who you are,” he said, still looking at her. “You are my wife, a duchess. Nobody here can touch you; everyone is beneath you, so let them stare and let them talk. They are jealous, as they should be.”

“Jealous that I am a duchess? Or jealous that I am married to you?” she asked coyly.

He scoffed. “What do you think?”

“Both,” she said with a righteous nod. “Or that is how I choose to see it.”

He frowned at the response, and she thought he was going to rebuke her. But then a smile tugged at his lips, he shook his head to himself, and Arabella beamed.

Slowly, step by step, she felt him relax so that even she might be fooled into thinking that he was having a good time.

The evening went by slowly. During the first thirty minutes, she and Caspian just walked together. A few strangers came up to introduce themselves, but not many wanted to stay and talk for very long.

That was until one particularly charismatic and overly enthusiastic lord did.

“Your Grace!” He was tall, even compared to Caspian. Not quite as broad and powerfully built, but still strong and commanding. Eyes that were piercing blue, a smile that was all teeth, and the sharpest jawline that Arabella had ever seen. “This might have been the last place that I expected to see you.”

“Lord Carlisle,” Caspian said with no enthusiasm or friendliness. “It is good to see you.”

“Now, why do I doubt that?” Lord Carlisle chuckled before fixing his attention on Arabella. “Ah, and this must be Her Grace. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Arabella’s arm was still linked with Caspian’s, and she felt him stiffen, even pulling her closer. She glanced at her husband, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw him glare a warning at Lord Carlisle.

“I know Lord Carlisle from the club,” Caspian said, still holding her tight.

“You speak as if we are not friends,” Lord Carlisle chuckled. “How many evenings have you and I gotten drunk together? Too many to count!”

“It is nice to meet you,” Arabella said politely.

“I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.”

“It was good seeing you,” Caspian said as he half turned away. “But my wife and I are⁠—”

“Oh, you are going?” Lord Carlisle cut him off. “Forgive me, Your Grace, and please tell me if this is inappropriate, but I hoped to ask your wife for a dance.” He flashed a smile. “I know that you are not keen on such things, and I would hate to think that she goes the night without one.”

Arabella looked closely at her husband. She saw the hesitancy, and she felt the anger. He still clutched to her, he still glared at Lord Carlisle, but would he deny the man? If he had any feelings for Arabella, now would be the perfect time to announce them.

She waited with bated breath, not sure what he would do, while knowing what she wanted him to do…

“I do not see why not,” Caspian said finally, through clenched teeth.

Arabella’s heart sank.

“Wonderful!” Lord Carlisle crooned as he stepped into Arabella. “Do not fear, Your Grace. I will return her in one piece.”

With no choice, Arabella allowed Lord Carlisle to escort her to the dancefloor. He smiled proudly as he did, the look of a man who had won something. And as they took their places, Arabella was sure to search for her husband in the crowd.

He stood on the edge of the circle. He watched her and Lord Carlisle as the dance began. Not once did he look away. Not once did he so much as blink. And always, he wore a cold glare of unkept rage. But was it because he hated Lord Carlisle? Or was he jealous?

The dance proceeded without incident. Lord Carlisle spoke mostly of himself, while Arabella hardly paid him any mind. Always, she found her gaze returning to her husband, and always he watched on.

He ought not to care at all… unless it is for appearances?

His anger excited Arabella. There was a sense of possession in the way that he watched them both. He had been so careful all week to act as if he did not care about her, but he struggled to hide that now. He did not even try!

When the dance ended, Arabella went to walk away, curious what her husband would say and do. Would he rebuke her? Would he act as if he did not care?