Page 24 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“She’s gone too far this time,” he growled.

“What will you do?”

“End this, once and for all.”

“And how exactly do you plan to accomplish that?”

A dark smile curved Leo’s mouth. “By giving Lady Asquith exactly what she’s been asking for.”

The Ellinsworths’ ballroom glittered with candlelight and jewels, but Marina barely noticed the opulence.

Her nerves had been strung tight since arriving. She was constantly alert for a certain duke’s presence. She’d spent the week alternating between anticipation and dread. When she jumped at every knock on her door, Betty had insisted on brewing her chamomile tea to calm her.

“Cousin Marina!” Lady Ellinsworth swept forward to embrace her. “How delightful you could come. Everyone is talking about the latest story.” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Between us, I thought the bookshop scene was brilliantly written. Though how anyone could maintain their balance on a library ladder is beyond me!”

Marina forced a smile, her cheeks burning. “Thank you, Sarah, but I’m afraid I haven’t read it.”

“Really?” Her cousin’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Well, enjoy yourself. I believe there’s someone I simply must meet over by the punch.”

As her cousin fluttered away, Marina caught sight of Caroline and Harold making their way through the crowd.

“There you are!” Caroline linked her arm through Marina’s. “The entire ton is abuzz with talk of this mysterious author. You’ve become quite the success, my dear, even if they don’t know it’s you.”

“The latest story has apparently scandalized half of London,” Harold added with an amused smile. “It was rather cleverly written. The scene where the hero quotes poetry while?—”

“Harold!” Caroline swatted his arm.

“What? It showed remarkable literary knowledge. I was merely appreciating the, ah, scholarship involved.”

Despite her anxiety, Marina laughed. “I’m glad it meets with your approval.”

“More than approval,” Caroline insisted. “It’s brilliant, Marina. But I wonder if perhaps you’ve drawn a bit too heavily from personal experience this time? That encounter outside the bookshop…”

“It is entirely fiction,” Marina insisted though her cheeks burned at the memory of Leo’s touch.

“Speaking of fiction becoming reality,” Harold said and nodded toward the entrance, “your muse has arrived.”

Marina’s heart skipped a beat as she spotted Leo across the ballroom.

Even at this distance, his presence commanded attention—tall and imposing in his perfectly tailored evening clothes, and his auburn hair gleaming in the candlelight.

Several gentlemen immediately approached him, their expressions far too amused for proper society.

“Poor man,” Caroline whispered. “They’re absolutely tormenting him about the story.”

For the first time, Marina felt a twinge of guilt. She’d been so focused on her own precarious situation that she hadn’t fully considered how the stories might affect Leo beyond his immediate anger. The ton could be merciless in its mockery.

“Perhaps I should stop,” she murmured.

“Too late for that,” Harold said quietly. “He’s coming this way.”

Leo approached their small group with measured steps, his expression carefully neutral. If not for the tightness around his eyes, one might believe he was perfectly at ease.

“Lord Clarkshire.” He offered a precise bow. “I understand congratulations are in order. The Manchester investment has proven quite profitable.”

Harold appeared momentarily surprised but recovered quickly. “Thank you, Your Grace. Indeed, the cotton mills have exceeded expectations.”

“Perhaps we might discuss the details sometime? I’ve been considering a similar venture.”