Page 27 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

A crash outside the library door jolted them apart. Voices echoed in the hallway, dangerously close.

“—swear I saw her come this way?—”

“—not proper for a lady to wander alone?—”

Leo moved with startling speed and pressed Marina deeper into the shadows. His hand covered her mouth.

She froze against him, suddenly aware of their compromising position.

If they were discovered like this, her reputation would be beyond salvaging.

CHAPTER 10

The footsteps faded into silence. Leo’s hand slowly fell away from Marina’s mouth, but he made no move to increase the distance between them.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she felt his breath warm against her temple.

“That was close,” he murmured, his voice low and rough with lingering desire.

Marina swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure. The thrill of nearly being caught only heightened her awareness of his body pressed against hers, solid and warm in the shadows.

“Too close. This was madness.”

“Perhaps.” His fingers traced the curve of her cheek, sliding down to tilt her chin upward. “But I’m finding it difficult to regret.”

The moonlight streaming through the windows illuminated his features—the sharp angle of his jaw, the intensity of his gaze. For a moment, Marina allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to surrender to this reckless attraction between them, to let him claim her completely.

“I should return to the ballroom,” she whispered though she made no move to leave. “They’ll notice my absence.”

“Let them notice.” His thumb brushed across her lower lip. “Stay with me.”

The temptation was overwhelming. His kiss had awakened something within her—a hunger she’d barely acknowledged even to herself. But despite the desire pulsing through her veins, a stubborn voice of reason persisted.

This man was determined to stop her writing, to take away the one thing that had given her independence after years of submission to a cold, uncaring husband.

“I can’t.” Marina placed her palms against his chest and gently pushed him away. “This, whatever this is between us, it doesn’t change anything. I still need to write my stories.”

Leo stepped back, the loss of his warmth immediate. His expression hardened. “Even if they’re destroying my reputation?”

“Is that truly what concerns you? Your reputation?” She straightened her gown, grateful for the shadows that concealed her flushed cheeks. “From what I hear, you have cultivated quite the scandalous name for yourself already.”

“What you hear.” His laugh held no humor. “From the whispers of discarded lovers and envious fools, no doubt. Tell me, Lady Asquith, have you ever considered there might be more to the story than what the gossips share?”

A pang of guilt struck her. She’d used him for her own gain without ever considering the man behind the rakish persona.

“I write what sells,” she said defensively. “And the ton is eager for tales of the mysterious Duke of Blackmere.”

“So eager they’ve overlooked the fact that they’re destroying a man’s name?” His voice was dangerously quiet. “They read about my supposed exploits and never once wonder if there might be consequences beyond their titillation?”

Marina remained silent. What could she say? That she’d given those consequences barely a thought when the alternative was giving up her independence?

He moved toward the door. “Return to the ballroom before you’re missed. Wait five minutes after I leave.”

“Leo—” The use of his given name slipped out before she could stop it.

He paused, his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, she thought he might turn back, might give her a chance to… what? Apologize? Explain?

He merely inclined his head.