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“As could you.” Her words were a challenge, but he didn’t give in. They stood so close that had she wanted to, she could have stood on the balls of her feet and kissed the gentleman.
Never in her life had she thought of kissing the Duke of Curton before. Each time she’d seen him at a distance across ballrooms, her parents had reminded her of who he was. She had merely turned away, thinking they had no cause to move in the same circles.
This moment was very different. Standing here alone in the dim light with such intensity and fraught tones in their argument, the temptation to kiss the man was suddenly strong. She wondered if he was as passionate about kissing as he was about arguing. The idea rather tempted her.
Have I lost control of all of my reason?
“You should let me go, Your Grace.” She attempted to keep her voice level as he slowly shook his head.
“I wish to know why a lady would choose to destroy her own reputation.”
“That is my business.”
“And mine too now, in case you hadn’t noticed,” he pointed out with a sardonic smile. “Care to comment?”
“No.” She lifted her chin once again, and he matched the action, both of them lifting their heads high.
“If you are attempting to intimidate me, My Lady, may I point out you have chosen the wrong gentleman for such a task.”
“Not intimidate but warn.” She held his gaze. “Maybe you are a gentleman who is used to having his word obeyed, but you will not find me falling at your feet like a limp pup, ready to do as you command. My motivations are my secret alone. I do not have to talk of them to you.”
“This is absurd,” he muttered. “You have cast us both into the scandal sheets for this.”
“My apologies, but your name was not supposed to be the one to join me there.”
“Your intention is by the by now!” he snapped and stepped back a little. She was glad of the space, for his heady scent was making her feel faint, so she reached for the banister beside her.
How mad am I this evening that one meeting with this man can make me so attracted to him?
“You cannot go down to the ball and walk in as if nothing has happened,” he gestured down the stairs.
“There is no other way out of this ball.”
“You will be walking into a room that whispers of you. Can you stand their condemnation? Their accusations?” he asked, staring at her wide eyed. “Trust me, My Lady, I have done many such walks into rooms where you are hated for what people say of you. You have to have skin as hard as marble for such a task.”
She looked at him, feeling as if he had betrayed a small secret to her. Never had she considered what it must be like for a man such as him to walk into a room that gossiped about him.
“I suppose I thought you did not care what the ton thought,” she mused quietly. “I certainly do not care.” She stepped forward, yet this time, he did not move to stop her.
“Leave quickly, if you can,” he pleaded with her. “Enough damage has been done tonight, and if you stay for too long, people will talk of you all the more. Leave quickly for your own sake.”
“I will.” She nodded. Her foot took the next step when he spoke again, bringing her to a halt.
“I will call on you and your father tomorrow.” His words tightened her chest, and her stomach knotted. Slowly, she turned back to face him, her lips parted wide.
“You do not have to do that,” she pleaded. “Forget tonight, Your Grace. This does not have to be spoken of by you again.”
“You think I will stand back and watch you be talked of in scandal sheets?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
“Yes, and you must!” She took the next step down. “I ask nothing of you, Your Grace. Nothing, and I expect even less. You do not have to visit me tomorrow; you have no need to talk to my father.”
She knew what he was insinuating. There was one way he could attempt to save her reputation. That was by offering to marry her, but she couldn’t have that. She’d rather be a fallen woman, declared a spinster and unmarriageable forevermore, than marry a man such as he.
He's a rogue and owns a gambling hall. He’d spend every night with his ladies, and when he came home, he’d probably bring trouble from the gambling hall. That is not the future I want.
“Whether I come or not is my decision,” the Duke said slowly. A voice was heard along the corridor, suggesting someone else was upstairs. He looked around, paling a little, probably scared of being caught with her again. “Now go, and do as I ask, I pray you. Leave quickly before the whispers can become much worse.”
She nodded though she said no more. As she hurried down the stairs, she considered what he’d said.
Please, do not come tomorrow, you fool. You do not have to offer to marry me because of my mistake.
