Page 9

The three of them walked over to Leonardo and bid him a good night. Sarah asked where their rooms would be.

“Arabella can take you. I’ll send her handmaid after her to escort her back,” he replied, craning his neck to try and find one of the family’s longest-serving servants. “Ara, you remember their room in the eastern hall. That reminds me. The Duke of Soulden had asked me earlier where his room would be. I do hope he found it easily.”

Arabella’s ears perked up at the mention of the Duke. She tried to hide her excitement at the thought that she might bump into him near his rooms and led her sister and brother-in-law to their room in a nearly dazed state.

Her head was still spinning from his smooth words and dashing, good looks. It was almost as if the universe had witnessed her dilemma and decided to tease her.

When they entered the wing that Sarah and Richard would be staying in, Arabella decided to put the thought out of her mind. She noticed several meters ahead a familiar figure being escorted by a footman. Of course, it was the Duke.

Knowing where his room was excited and scared her in equal measure as her plan was starting to take shape in her mind.

“Thank you for showing me where I’ll be staying, Robert, but I fear I may have left my handkerchief somewhere in the parlor. I think I will go back and retrieve it,” she overheard the Duke tell the footman.

“Of course, Your Grace. I will escort you back,” Robert offered, moving out of the way.

“No need, my good man. I have an exquisite memory, and I should be able to find my way back,” the Duke assured him.

It was at this point that he noticed Arabella standing a mere fifteen feet away from him. His smoldering eyes roamed over her body, making her flush.

Seriously, what was this man doing to her?

“If you insist, Your Grace. I will be at your disposal during your stay,” Robert answered, before bowing and swiftly leaving to head back to the parlor.

“Thank you,” the Duke called after him.

As he passed her, Arabella found herself facing a small dilemma. Would she seem desperate if she followed him back?

“Sister, this is your room,” she announced as she stepped in front of their door, unlocking it.

“All right.” Sarah yawned. “Have a good night.”

“Good night, Sister.”

As she turned to head back, Arabella wondered if she should go to the parlor or her room, but as she turned down the hall, she spotted the Duke walking at a leisurely pace. She wondered after a long moment if he’d been waiting for her.

She entered the parlor not long after him. Arabella watched him make his way to the hors d’oeuvres table. Rather than look for his missing handkerchief, she noticed that he turned around and faced the dancing crowd, his eyes searching.

Is he looking for me?

When his eyes landed on her, he froze and so did she. Hehadbeen looking for her, waiting for her to follow him. So, she indulged.

She made her way over to him, determination being the factor that held her back from greeting the ladies and gentlemen she passed. She noticed the cocky grin tugging at his lips.

What was she doing? This was no way a lady and a man should have mingled.

“Are you following me, Lady Arabella?” he asked as she approached, her heart already racing a mile a minute.

She really liked how her name sounded on his lips. She wondered if he would say it again. She would’ve liked that.

“Would you be afraid if I was?” she asked, her voice sounding small. But her words had the desired effect.

She looked into his eyes and noticed his pupils dilate slightly at her jest. Arabella couldn’t lie, she enjoyed bantering back and forth with the Duke.

“I can return to the watchful eyes of my brother if you’d like,” she teased, looking around and wondering where Leo had gone.

“I believe that would be the last thing I want,” the Duke said, his voice hoarse. With what, she could not tell.

Arabella took a cautious step towards him, her arms daintily folded behind her back and her cheeks red. “Whatdoyou want?”