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The Duke sucked his bottom lip between his teeth. Something about the action drew her attention to his mouth. It was… nice. He had plump, red lips that made goosebumps spread across her arms when she thought about them for too long. She wanted to touch them, to put her lips on his. Would that do anything?

“I am afraid what I want would destroy any sense of innocence you have, My fair Lady,” he warned, licking his bottom lip.

Something told Arabella that what he had just said was laced with a burning… want. She didn’t even know what that want entailed, but she wanted to wrap herself in it.

“So, youareafraid,” she said, her voice a lot lower than she had ever heard it before.

She hadn’t noticed until now, but she was only a couple of inches away from the Duke, his tall frame towering over her. His dark eyes were hooded, and his breathing was ragged.

“I think I should retire for the evening. Will you follow me to my chamber, then?” he asked teasingly. He was breathing harshly through his nose.

“What is in your chamber, Your Grace?” She giggled at the idea, wondering what could possibly be there. “Shall I call for my brother to chaperone me?”

“No,” he said suddenly, startling her slightly. “No, you must follow me alone.”

He was being serious.

This excited Arabella. She enjoyed breaking the rules here and there, and it had been a while since she had dipped her toe into the rebellious pool.

She looked him in his eye and nodded with a sheepish smile.

“Wait a minute after I leave before coming to me,” he instructed, his stature a lot broader.

Had he squared his shoulders? Now that she looked at him, he seemed more domineering than before.

And it excited her for some reason.

“All right,” she murmured, not watching as he walked right past her and presumably back to his room.

The minute of waiting went by agonizingly slow. She counted down the seconds and tried to appear as if she was eyeing the sweets that remained on the table. When she reached number fifty, she decided enough time had passed. She was too eager to wait any longer.

She made sure she was careful and as inconspicuous as possible, not wanting to draw attention to her second departure for the evening. Counting her blessings, she thanked God that she had not run into Leo. How would she have explained this?

When she entered the guest hall, she saw the Duke of Soulden leaning against his guest chamber door. Something about the way he stood there, almost looking like he did not care about how he looked to others, made a familiar spark light up in Arabella’s heart. He must have been a fan of subtle rebellion as well.

His eyes lit up when he watched her make her way over to him as gracefully as she could.

“You actually followed,” he said in awe.

“I saw it as a challenge.” She shrugged. “And you must know, Your Grace, I am never one to back down from a challenge.”

For the first time,hischeeks flushed. They stayed red as his eyes roamed over her face. She wondered what she looked like to him. Was she beautiful? He was making her feel so.

“I do not think I’ve ever met someone quite like you, Lady Arabella. You intrigue me,” he admitted, his hand tentatively opening the door to his chambers.

Suddenly, Arabella felt a tad overwhelmed and nervous. Being alone with the Duke could potentially have dire consequences if they were caught. But her curiosity was too strong. She wanted to experience a night of passion she had only heard whispers of. She wanted to ask him about one.

“Your Grace,” she piped up.

“Yes, My Lady?” he questioned, his fingers pausing on the doorknob.

Ara looked around, ensuring no one was standing nearby.

“This may seem rather sudden and… rather inappropriate, but please do not think poorly of me,” she stammered out.

The Duke simply smiled at her stuttering, seemingly endeared by it. “What is it?” he asked.

“Will you…” She let out a slow breath. “Will you allow me a single night of passion?”