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Her eyes went wide, but her fear of embarrassing him abated quickly.

“I… I do not know what to say,” she told him. “Thank you.”

He smiled and nodded at her.

They stood beside each other in silence, even though her body was vibrating with excitement.

“Would you like to play cards, husband?” she asked suddenly.

He turned to her with a mischievous smile. “Will we be placing bets?”

“Of course.” She smiled back. “But I must warn you, I do not lose.”

“Then you shall be a most worthy opponent,” he said. “I do not intend to play nicely because you’re a woman.”

“That’s not how a gentleman should behave,” she mock gasped.

“Of course.” He nodded, lifting his nose. “But if I were a gentleman, you would not want me.”

She smiled to herself, knowing his words were true.

CHAPTER 12

“Your Grace, you look marvelous!” Gracie gushed as she added the final touches to Eveline’s makeup. “The Duke is going to be very happy.”

Eveline was forced to admit, even though she still feared the dress did not suit her, that she looked beautiful. Made of elegant green brocade, with gold embroidery stitched at the hem of the skirts and bodice in the pattern of swans, it was a piece that would turn heads.

It was cut a little low in the front to tease but not appear improper, and the corset was tight enough to accentuate her curves. It bordered on improper, just the way her husband apparently enjoyed things to be. She appreciated his taste the moment the dress had been delivered and had fingered the fabric each day until the evening of the ball.

She had kept her makeup light, with only a dusting of powder to brighten her complexion and crushed rose petal juice on her lipsand cheeks to add color to her face. Gracie had shown skill with hair and had curled and pinned hers artfully.

Overall, Eveline should have felt confident, but her anxieties had surfaced again, worse than before, as she worried if she would indeed embarrass herself and by extension the Duke.

This would be their first public appearance since their scandal and marriage, and although just three weeks had passed since then, it felt as though it had been a lifetime ago.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing her out of her thoughts.

Gracie went to see to it while Eveline studied her appearance again. The emerald and diamond jewelry set the Duke had given to her sat heavily on her throat and ears, and rather than be grateful, she felt that he was using her to show off his family’s fortune.

“Your Grace, the Duke awaits you downstairs,” Gracie announced.

“All right.” Eveline nodded, rising.

Her heart raced as she stepped into the corridor, each step heavy, as she feared his reaction to her attire.

She had put in effort in the hope of pleasing him, but his reaction would tell her if she had failed or not.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she spotted him peering at his pocket watch, looking dashing in his evening wear. Her pulse quickened as she let her eyes roam over his frame.

Would she ever get accustomed to seeing her handsome husband?

She cleared her throat, and he turned to her, his eyes hardening once he did. Her steps faltered, but somehow she did not fall as she descended the stairs. His eyes were fixed on her as she moved, and it took great effort on her part not to break the stare.

When she finally reached him, she swallowed thickly, as he said nothing, his eyes still cold. She lowered her eyes, biting her lip as her fears manifested before her.

He was displeased with her appearance. That was the only logical explanation for his stony silence.

“You look beautiful,” he said suddenly, the words sounding strained.