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The three ladies turned, but it was Lydia who gasped. She did not even see the Duke who was causing such a furor, the Duke who had not been seen in public in years, for her eyes were fixed on the gentleman at his side. And Will was staring right backat her with a look so frosty that she felt the temperature in the tearoom drop.

“I will speak with you again soon,” the Cruel Duke said to Will. “I have lost my taste for tea.”

Will nodded. “Thank you for your time.”

“Indeed, thank you for yours.” With that, the Cruel Duke left the tearoom, and the rest of the patrons relaxed in his absence. Although, a few whispers still darted around, no doubt asking why Will and that supposed Beast were conversing together.

Lydia’s heart almost beat out of her chest as her husband approached, no mirth or welcome in his eyes.

“Excuse me, ladies. Lord Portshire.” Will gave a faint tip of his head. “I must borrow my wife for a moment.”

He did not wait to hear their agreement, taking Lydia by the arm and ushering her outside onto the terrace. He did not release his hold on her until they were practically back in the park, far enough from the tearoom that no one would hear what he had to say to her.

“How is it that you have managed to break two of my rules at the same time?” he asked evenly.

Lydia raised an eyebrow. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

“I saw you conversing with my mother,” he replied, leaning in. “And I have seen you just now, not being very discreet at all with your smiles and affections. Why, I do believe I even saw him kiss your hand.”

Lydia dared to smirk. “That is not… jealousy I detect in your voice, is it?”

“You would like that, I think.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “But no. Remember, kitten, you are free to do as you please, and so am I. It is only the bonds ofyourrule that are preventing me, and I am abiding by it.”

An odd sting caught Lydia in the chest. “You were not very abiding last night.”

“Nor were you.” He laughed softly, seductively. “Goodness, how you gasped my name.”

“Enough!” she hissed, her cheeks flaming.

He took her hand and kissed it, his lips lingering longer than was proper. “What a pity I will not get to hear that again for weeks. Although, Iwillhave to think of a suitable punishment for today’s transgression.”

“There was no transgression,” she hurried to reply.

“But you broke my rules.”

She met his gaze with defiance. “Youwould like that, I think,” she parroted. “But you are mistaken. Your mother approachedme.She offered no advice, so I did not have to listen to any. As for Lord Portshire, he is to be married in a month. Indeed, you ought to speak to him. I believe you have a lot in common.”

“Lydia,” he said in a soft, warning voice, “this is all very amusing, but allow me to be clear. Donotbreak my rules again. You are adjusting, there are bound to be mistakes, but this is the last time I will tolerate your disregard for my commands.”

Lydia glanced down at his hand holding hers. “Then do not touch me.”

“Pardon?”

She removed his hand. “Do not touch me, for this is the last time thatIwill tolerateyourdisregard, too.” She smiled slyly and turned to walk back to her friends. “And it is such a shame, for I havequitethe gown prepared for Joanna’s ball.”

CHAPTER 16

William had never thought of himself as a jealous man. He had never had any reason to be. But what he had seen in the tearoom at the park had stayed with him like a dark cloud upon his return to the townhouse, made stormier still by Lydia’s sharp and clever dismissal of him.

Do not touch you? Do not touch you!

It rankled him every time he remembered it and prompted a frustrated laugh if he remembered it alongside the events of last night. She had not minded his touch then; she had relished it.

“Anyone here?” a welcome voice called from the hallway, outside the drawing room.

“Just me,” William replied.

He considered hiding his glass of brandy, for it was not really the hour for hard liquor, but he knew his brother would not question it.