Page 3 of Beguiling the Duke
Mrs. Greenburg, laughed and fluttered her eyelashes with heavy sarcasm. “Do go on, Your Grace. You’ll never convince us you lack in feminine companionship.”
Lizzie recalled the gossip surrounding his ending his relationship with his mistress not too long ago. Verity said the woman was demanding more than he was willing to give—marriage, to be exact. She understood his choice in that completely, the desire to have all the perks of a passionate relationship with none of the legalities. Lizzie wouldn’t even accept an offer to be kept by a man, without exchanging vows. Between her dowry and what Alfred had left her in his will, she didn’t need a man’s money. All she needed was his willing body and passionate spirit. That would keep her more than satisfied.
After a few more hands, Verity announced it was time to dress for the light dinner she had planned before the evening of caroling. Dainsfield grunted like an old man and stood, coming around the table to help Lizzie pull back her chair as Teversham did the same for Mrs. Greenburg. “Ladies, Teversham, it was a pleasant afternoon.” He turned and left.
“I don’t believe my husband plans to join the caroling,” Mrs. Greenburg said. She curtseyed. “You enjoy your evening.”
Teversham joined Lizzie as she walked toward the hallway. “Do you sing, my lady?”
“I do.”
“Well then, I look forward to hearing your sweet voice.”
CHAPTER 2
The evening had draped itself in a cloak of darkness, with only the stars and the moon as its ornaments. Snowflakes danced to the whims of the wind, painting the village in a blanket of white. The carriages pulled up, one by one, spilling out their cargo of gaily dressed guests into the town square, where Lord and Lady St. Ervan waited. Their breaths mingled with the crisp air, forming ethereal clouds that vanished as quickly as they appeared.
“Come on everyone, let’s gather ‘round!” called the Earl of St. Ervan, clapping his gloved hands together in a show of merriment. Lanterns flickered to life, casting a warm glow upon the cobbled streets as the group assembled for the evening’s caroling.
Matthew stood at the edge of the crowd, his blue eyes scanning the throng of people until he found her—Lady Elborough. She was wrapped in a fur-lined cloak, her dark hair peeping out from under her fur-trimmed bonnet, framing her delicate, pale face. He couldn’t help but be drawn to her vivacity, despite the melancholy that lingered behind her eyes.
“May I join you, Lady Elborough?” Matthew asked, inclining his head as he drew closer to her side.
“Of course, Your Grace,” she replied, her brown eyes meeting his gaze with warmth. “Please, call me Lizzie.”
“Only if you’ll call me Matthew,” he countered, allowing himself a small smile.
“Very well, Matthew,” she agreed, the corners of her mouth lifting in response to his grin.
As they strolled through the village, accompanied by the harmonious voices of their fellow carolers, Matthew became acutely aware of Lizzie’s proximity. Their arms brushed against each other every so often, sending a jolt of electricity through him. The tension between them was palpable, like an invisible thread that wove them closer together.
“What child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping,” they sang, their voices mingling in the crisp air as they moved from house to house. The village windows glowed with candlelight, casting a warm and inviting aura over the scene.
Matthew found himself stealing glances at Lizzie, her cheeks flushed from the cold, her eyes shining with joy. He could sense her happiness, but also the underlying sadness that came with being a widow. It struck a chord within him, stirring a warning about flirting with her, something he was drawn to do.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked her softly, seeking her gaze as they walked side by side.
“Very much so,” she replied, her voice tinged with happiness. “There’s something magical about this time of year, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Matthew agreed. At least, the night was magic, no matter how little he normally cared for the season. They continued to walk through the village, singing carols that echoed through the night.
As they approached the final house on their route, the snowflakes danced around them, coating the ground in a pristine blanket of white. Lizzie’s laughter rang out like music at something someone said, warming Matthew’s heart even in the frosty air.
“Oh!” she cried suddenly as she slipped on a patch of ice. Her eyes widened in surprise, and time seemed to slow for a moment.
Matthew’s reflexes took over, and with a swift movement, he caught her just before she tumbled to the ground. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them standing there, locked in a sudden, intimate embrace.
“Are you all right?” Matthew asked, his voice low, searching her eyes for any indication of injury.
“Y-yes,” Lizzie replied, her breath hitching.
For a fleeting moment, they hesitated, their gazes locked in a silent conversation that spoke volumes. Then Matthew leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed over hers, tentatively at first, as if testing the waters, afraid to drown in the depth of emotions.
“Matthew,” Lizzie murmured, her voice barely audible above the sound of his pounding heart. The simple utterance of his name was enough to send a shiver down his spine, igniting a fire within him.
“Lizzie,” he whispered back, his hands still cradling her gently as if she were the most precious thing in the world. And in that moment, she was.
He wasn’t certain which of them moved, but suddenly they were kissing again. HThe kiss deepened, their lips moving against each other with a hunger that both surprised and thrilled him. Lizzie clung to Matthew, her fingers curling into the fabric of his coat as if afraid he would slip away from her grasp. The taste of her was intoxicating—a heady mixture of warmth, mint, and desire that sent his senses reeling.