Page 98 of An Unwanted Spinster for the Duke

Marianne could not even blame the girl for being charmed. She was charmed once, too.

Olivia wrinkled her nose when she saw what her friend was looking at.“I don’t know how people could not see how repulsive he can be,” she muttered.

“My love, I don’t know how people could not see how repulsive he is,” Simon countered.

“If, um, the two of you must leave, you can rely on us to watch over your sister.”

As if on cue, Elizabeth walked toward them. She looked flustered, as if she had been running instead of doing little tippy-toe hide and seek with Linpool.

“I agree,” she uttered, her eyes falling to Dominic’s hand on Marianne’s waist.

The glance made Marianne more aware of the heat of her husband’s large hand. She was aware that they were pushing the boundaries of propriety in public gatherings. It was not just him either. Marianne often found herself leaning toward him or pressing a hand to his chest.

So, this is desire.

After she had given her body to her husband, thoughts of him plagued her. He was always there. In her mind. Right next to her. Even now, she wanted him, and she wondered just how much their friends were seeing.

She should have been embarrassed, but the flush was superficial, and her restraint crumbled.

“Go,” Elizabeth whispered.

This time, Marianne had the grace to blush—to truly blush. Her younger sister must have noticed how she watched Dominic like he was a meal she was eager to devour.

“Er—”

“I’ll be fine. Olivia’s already promised to escort me home. She alsopromised to beat Linpool senseless with her fan.”

Marianne could not help but smile at the thought.

Petite Olivia didn’t look like she could hurt a fly, but Marianne believed every word her friend said. Still, the thought of leaving her sister behind only because she could not look at her husband without trembling did not sound proper. It did not sound responsible, at all!

“Elizabeth—” she protested weakly.

“I am serious,” Olivia added, edging closer to Elizabeth. She gave her friend a knowing smirk. The glint in her eyes was positively naughty, which should not surprise her, given how she and Simon talked. “We don’t want to hear you two panting for each other. Leave the party. One, how could they be scandalized if a newlywed couple wanted some alone time? Two, you two have other important things to do. Dukes and their Duchesses should grace events like these with brief appearances.”

While Marianne gaped at her friend and her sister, Dominic needed no more encouragement. The hand on her waist beganleading her toward the front doors. She tried to keep up with his long strides, and somehow made it, panting as Olivia said they were.

The evening air was cool and sweet—a true blessing for her heated skin. The scent of roses created a pervasive air of romance.

Marianne clung closer to her husband, but she felt something in him shift.

What is it?

Dominic had been hoping to get his wife alone the whole time they were at Lady Balfour’s musical night. He wanted her badly, as if his life depended on it. Somehow, Linpool was to thank for his self-control. At least, the anger balanced his overwhelming lust.

Was it normal?

He was a hunter. He thought he would be satisfied after he conquered and took her virtue. Then, he would grow bored. But no. Somehow, she had enthralled him.

Just when he thought the evening was heading for some relief, he saw a shadow shift behind the trees. It was brief enough forsomeone to believe it was their imagination. However, it was also distinctive.

Someone was out there, watching them.

Dominic narrowed his eyes. He could see a tall and broad-shouldered figure, and it was unnervingly still. Was he the prey right now, and his hunter was patiently stalking him?

The figure merged with the darkness, but his heart still pounded.

“Did you see that?” he asked his wife in a low voice.