Page 56 of The Duke's Vice

The same part of him that was worried she wouldn’t show was clawing at his mouth to ask if she was all right.

Beatrice settled into the carriage. She laid her hands in her lap, fiddling with the frayed ribbon on her dress. Her eyes flittered everywhere but to him.

He adjusted in his seat. Not having her interest was raking his insides.

“No questions about where we’re going? What we’re doing?”

Beatrice looked up, her bottom lip caught between her lips.

“Hmm? Oh. No.” She offered a tightlipped smile. “I know the rules. No questions, no talking.”

Ezra waved her off. “It’ll be hard to gamble if you don’t talk.”

Finally, some life flashed in her eyes. “Are we really going to gamble?”

Ezra chuckled softly as the carriage jolted and swayed on the bumpy road.

“Of course. I said so in my letter and I am quite loyal to my word.”

Beatrice didn’t respond, just simply nodded and looked outside. Her eyes squinted against the darkening road.

“In that case, where are we going? It seems we’re heading outside the city limits.”

Ezra let his eyes drink her in while her attention was elsewhere.

“We are indeed outside the city, far enough that no one will know who you are, nor care. Anything that happens here will be well kept.”

Beatrice turned to look at Ezra. “You sound as though you speak from experience.”

This time there was no stopping the wide smile that graced his face. “I know this place very well and have been coming here since I was inherited the duchy. They know me very well.”

Beatrice frowned. “Out here? You’ve been coming all this way for several years??”

Ezra nodded. Memories of long nights full of laughter and freedom infiltrated his mind. Whenever he needed a break from the responsibilities of Duke, he made his way to this small village far enough from prying eyes, but not far enough it took long to get to.

The carriage lurched to a stop.

Ezra got out of the carriage and offered his hand.

Tingles of electricity danced along his hand as she slipped hers into his. He tried shutting down the part of his mind, and body, that reacted to her, but he failed.

Her brown eyes looked up to him, and he saw a bit of fun and excitement return to them. He almost shifted his weight when they drifted past him to the establishment behind him.

“Is this it?”

Ezra turned to take in the old wooden door that had been kicked in too many times and now hung slightly off kilter because of it.

“It is. Trust me, mouse, er, sorry.” He offered when he remembered she didn’t want to be acknowledged by his pet name for her.

He rolled his lips.

Her sigh of relief struck him oddly. Was he feeling sadness? Over what? The fact she didn’t want him to call her a nickname? Preposterous.

Beatrice walked past him as he held the awkward door open for her.

Inside was stepping into a different world. While the outside world was dark and quiet, inside was bright and loud.

Raucous laughter echoed in the rafters, while clinking of mugs and plates could be heard over the din. Couples danced to the music of small band sitting in the corner, their tune lively and upbeat.