Page 5 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke (Claimed by Regency Devils #2)

Chapter Five

"I still cannot believe that dress!" Rosalind said as her eyes moved up and down Aurelia’s body.

“What of it...” Aurelia’s tugged awkwardly at her dress, not at all liking the way that Rosalind was gaping. And that wasn’t to mention the other guests at the party she had noticed doing the same.

“If you had it this whole time, why did you bother asking me to borrow one?”

“I simply forgot about it, is all,” Aurelia lied.

“I don’t see how. And I can’t remember having ever seen you wearing it before.”

“Yes, well, if I had then I likely would have remembered.”

“It is quite beautiful,” Rosalind said with sincerity. “Truly, I am simply stunned, Aurelia. Stunned!”

Aurelia blushed furiously. Where she appreciated the compliment, again she was not used to such things. “Thank you,” she said quietly, not willing to be so open about how much she liked the dress also, as she had still not come to terms with how she had acquired it and she feared that to show too much interest would be to admit how grateful she was. And how good I know it looks on me...

It was a dark green number, because indeed the green went well with her alabaster skin and darker hair and eyes. It was also simple, no frills or thrills or flair of any kind. Slimming in a way, for it hugged her body, it was not tight, nor was it suggestive. Rather, it was straight cut, with a sash tied around the waist which pulled it under her bosom and accentuated her curves in a more appropriate manner. And yes, it was sleeveless. And yes, its neckline was rather low. But somehow it worked. Truly, she had never felt so beautiful before.

Of course, she could not tell Rosalind where it had come from, having to lie, which she hated doing. She had even considered not wearing it, surprised in fact when it had arrived at her home two days prior. But to no wear it would have been seen as an afront to the duke, which would have caused a whole host of problems not worth the hassle.

“Your mother is busy,” Rosalind said with a knowing smirk. “I take it that she liked the dress also.”

Aurelia scoffed. “A little too much – it might have been the first time ever that she did not comment on my weight.”

“As does Lord Littlefield, I think...” Rosalind was still smirking as she nodded across the garden, toward Aurelia’s mother. “He has not been able to take his eyes off you.”

“Do not remind me.”

“He is handsome,” she said.

“Is that all which matters?”

Rosalind shrugged. “It is better than nothing. If you are to be forced to marry, better that it be to a man who is nice to look at. No?”

Aurelia pressed her lips together in a showing of dismissal, even if she could not help but agree. At the very least a handsome husband will make it easier for me to hide my disapproval of the marriage, which can only be seen as a positive.

Aurelia had tried her best not to take note of her mother today, for she found it better to ignore her entirely as if she did not know what her mother was up to. But she found herself glancing across the garden, through the crowd which populated it, until she found her mother and Lord Littlefield.

The Malsbury garden was teeming with guests, steadily growing busier as the day wore on. Most conjugated in small groups, drinking and laughing together. Others wondered to and fro, introducing themselves, making their faces known; Aurelia spied more than a few fathers leading their daughters about in a bid to find them a male suitor. Others played games. Some were already dancing. It was a hive of activity, which Aurelia was happy to stand apart from.

Her mother was among them, currently engaged with Lord Littlefield, a baron who was ten years Aurelia’s senior, short but muscular, balding but by no means unattractive. With Aurelia’s known desire to find a suitor, her mother was doing everything she could to nominate a potential candidate, and from the way she spoke with Lord Littlefield, constantly drawing his attention toward Aurelia, Aurelia guessed she had found one.

It should have thrilled her to see, saving her the effort of the approach as she did not care who she married, so long as he could help her family with their debts. And yet...

The duke was still on her mind, as he had been all week. She did not want him there. She did not want to think of him at all! But wearing his dress, their last interaction still fresh in her mind, more than once Aurelia found herself thinking about him, his hands on her, his eyes looking right through her. And whenever she did, she found her body flushing warm and her legs tingling...

“Gerald,” Rosalind said suddenly.

“What!” Aurelia’s eyes widened with fear, thinking at first that her friend was able to read her mind.

“Good afternoon,” His Grace said with a friendly smile as he approached the two ladies. “How are we enjoying the festivities?”

“Let me guess,” Rosalind sighed. “You have some friends you wish for me to meet.”

The duke chuckled. “Do not sound so excited about it.”

Rosalind curled her lip. “I thought you said I could have fun today. No expectations.”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes!”

His Grace hardly even glanced at Aurelia as he spoke with Rosalind. He was his usual charming self, friendly in manner, proper in statue and air. Nothing about him to suggest the darker side which Aurelia had seen, and no sense at all that it even existed. The way he spoke in front of Aurelia, it might have been another man entirely who had accosted her in that bedroom.

She frowned as she looked at him, searching for the hidden side which she knew to be there. But he was so good at hiding it. So damn good at pretending to be perfect!

“Do not fret, sister,” the duke said, still smiling. “I am not here for you.”

“Oh?”

“It is Lady Hawkins whom I wish to speak with...” He turned to look at her finally, offering her a pleasant smile that gave nothing away. “And I must say, Lady Hawkins, that is a lovely dress.”

Aurelia felt her face flush and she was rendered speechless, looking away so that Rosalind would not see.

“Isn’t it,” Rosalind agreed. “Does she not look beautiful.”

“I could not agree more,” the duke said. “A true beauty...” She could feel his eyes on her, but she could not bring herself to look at him. It was as if he was testing her, teasing her to see if she would break. “Which is why I wondering if she would do me the honor of a dance.”

“What?” Aurelia snapped her head up before she could stop herself.

“A dance,” he repeated simply, still smiling in a friendly manner because his sister was there. “If it suits you?”

She might have liked to tell him to take his dance and shove it up his... easy, Aurelia. Now is not the time . Rosalind did not appear surprised by the suggestion. The duke continued to look at her with a simple expression that most would think to be friendly. To say no would now appear odd, and Aurelia did not wish to have questions asked.

“I would love to,” she said, unable to hold back the sarcasm.

“Wonderful.” The duke offered her arm, which Aurelia had no choice but to link. “Do not fear, Rosalind, I will have you friend back in one piece.”

He laughed as if he had made a joke, then he led her through the garden party and toward the dance floor nearer the back. To get there, they had to walk through the crowd, and Aurelia took note of the heads turning and the mouths muttering to see them together.

“What are you doing?” she said under her breath, doing her best to appear casual.

“Helping you.” As he walked, he looked ahead, smiling and nodding at those who caught his attention. “You wish to attract the attention of a suitor? What do you think will happen if you are seen dancing with me?”

“I might catch fire suddenly?” she scoffed.

He laughed. “That is one way sure to gain attention.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, searching through the facade for the truth of this request. But he gave nothing away, likely because he was telling the truth. After all, he had every reason to wish to see her find a suitor, so perhaps in this instance he was being truthful. If such a thing is possible for him.

They reached the dance floor just as the music died down and those already dancing came to a gentle stop. This gave them time to find their place beside the others. The duke took the lead immediately, stepping into her, one hand on her side, the other taking her right hand so that he could lead.

She gasped as he pulled her in close. He flashed his eyes at her and the look that she saw behind them was reminiscent of the man she was starting to know. That which nobody else did.

“It really is a lovely dress,” he purred. “Not too tight. Not too loose. Showing just the right amount of...” He eyes drifted down, lingering on her bosom. “Skin.”

Aurelia was about to offer a sharp reply. Something to do with him keeping his eyes to himself, unless he wished to see them bruised by her fist. But before she got the chance, the music started, and the duke just about lifted her from her feet as he began to lead her.

“Woah!” she gasped, finding her feet finally, struggling to keep his pace in what was a rather upbeat waltz.

“What’s the matter?” he asked with a grin. “I would have thought you an adequate dancer. Even more than that.”

“I can dance just fine...” She found the rhythm finally, which required her to relax and let the duke lead. Their bodies were pressed. His hand on her waist was tight. And every few seconds, she would catch his eyes drop below her neckline.

“There we are,” he said as they began to move together as one. “Much better.”

“What is this?” she asked him accusingly. “I do not believe for a second that you are merely... what exactly? Showing me off?” She glanced about the garden party, seeing immediately that more than a few of the guests were watching. More than a few men at that.

“A rather crass way of putting it,” he said with a shrug. “But in a fashion, yes. Trust me, as things stand, your stocks are low. If you are seen with me, however...” He shrugged.

“You think an awful lot of yourself. You know that don’t you?”

“Most seem to.”

She scoffed. “Most don’t know the real you.”

As with the last two times she had mentioned the other side of the duke, she expected to see anger flash behind his cool facade. It was so obvious to her that he hated being reminded of this side of himself, or perhaps he feared it? Either way, she braced for the anger.

Instead of that, he smirked, and she saw what looked like excitement take his visage. He licked his lips and glanced about the crowd, dropping his voice then and leaning in close. “You know, there is more to dancing than simply being seen.”

“Is that right,” she said dryly, ignoring the way her heart began to beat because there was something about his tone which caused excitement.

“Oh yes...” His smile grew and she gasped when she felt his hand slide down her waist toward her buttocks. “When you find a partner, as I am sure you will, a dance like this is a perfect time to learn the measure of a man.”

“What...” She could feel his hand now, placed firmly on the top of her rear end. Not so low that those watching might notice, but low enough that she could feel its intent. “What do you mean?”

“Come now, Lady Hawkings...” He chuckles and the grip of his stray hand tightened. “I know you say you wish to marry only so your family’s debts might be covered, but we both know the real reason.”

“What reason – owe!” she yelped as his hand strayed a little bit lower. “What are you doing?”

“You husband, whoever he will be, should not wish to marry you for propriety's sake only.” His hand squeezed and she felt a moan escape her lips. “He should want you, as you want him.”

“I don’t...” She could barely speak, her attention on his hand and how it felt as it held her. Heart racing. Body flushing. She tried not to let it show. “I do not know what you mean.”

“I think you do,” he growled and pulled her in so close that his lips grazed her cheek as he spoke. “A gentleman is all well and good, but what you need, Lady Hawkins...” He gave her another squeeze. “Is a firm hand to keep you in line.”

Her eyes widened and she was without speech. Her legs very nearly gave out. Her breath left her. And her mind... it went suddenly to places that it never had before. The duke with his hands around her corset the other day. The duke now, his hand on her buttocks. The look in his eyes. The hunger on his lips. Is he... surely, he is not suggesting what I think.

“Or not...” As quickly as it started, it ended. He slid his hand back up and began to lead her normally once more. “But it is something to consider.”

She had no idea what to say. In fact, she was terrified to say anything, lest she give herself away. She could feel her skin prickling. And she knew that in her eyes, the duke surely saw exactly what was on her mind. Such that when he looked at her, he chuckled and winked, his delight in making her so uncomfortable readily apparent.

He was teasing her, she was sure of it. That she knew the real side of him, she had no doubt that he was simply testing the limits of what he could get away with. Likely, he enjoyed making her so uncomfortable.

But there was more to it than that. There had to be. That sense that through the jokes and the teasing, beyond the joy he took from unsettling her, that the duke... is he playing with me? Or is this the real side of him, one that I can’t help but find myself drawn to.

The waltz came to a steady stop and Aurelia was glad for it. She needed air. She needed time to think! She needed to collect herself and assess what was going on, because she truly had no idea.

“And where do you think you are going?” the duke said as she started to pull away.

“I...” She hesitated. “The dance is over.”

“I did not say you could go.” He still held her by the hand, and he looked at her with that same commanding expression that she could not deny, even if she wanted to. Which she found that she did not. “And I would like one more dance, now that you have the feel for it.”

“Oh...” She looked toward her mother, who was watching with curiosity. Then to Rosalind, who also wore a frown. It was dangerous to do. It was wrong . But Aurelia always had been one to act without thinking of the consequences, so why stop now. “I suppose I can,” she sighed as if it was a most painful thing.

“There she is,” the duke laughed. “Look who is starting to learn.”

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, all the while trying to hide her smile. She wanted the duke to think that she despised him and wished to be as far from him as possible. But that wasn’t even close to the truth.

And thus, they danced again. And this time, Aurelia gave herself to him fully, caring not for the stares or how it might look. As the duke had said, being seen dancing with him could only help her chances. Which is the only reason I am doing it...