Page 34 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke

“Covet?”

“Trap, then. I want this next dance with her.”

“You have not congratulated us yet. Where are your manners?”

He blanched, “I cannot congratulate a farce.”

“Percy! I will not have you insult us like that!”

Victor wanted to cheer for her, except that she would probably put him in his place too.

He wheeled on Daphne. “I am trying to protect you! How has he blinded you to…”

“You should leave before this becomes ugly.”

“He resorts to threats at the slightest inconvenience, Daphne. Are you sure this is the kind of man you want to be associated with? You know nothing about his father or his own temper!”

Victor clenched his jaw as anger flashed through him. Daphne looked up at him and grabbed his arm immediately. Percy leveled a smug glare at him, preening from foot to foot.

Victor refused to move with Daphne. She shot a glance at Percy, “I may not know his father, but you can never compare to him.” Then she turned to Victor. “We should have that wine you suggested.”

Victor still did not want to move. He wanted to wring his hand from hers and leave. That way, the ghost of his father would not sully their happiness as it had with a simple comparison.

If she were not present, it would not cut that deep.

“Victor,” she prompted with steel in her voice.

“He does not deny it. He knows I do not lie,” Percy pushed on.

Victor exhaled through the blinding haze. “Yes. The wine,” he said slowly. Finally, he eased his face into a smile. “And Farton? You should know that I never issueemptythreats.”

He took Daphne’s hand and led her through the crowd of onlookers.

ChapterNine

“How do you feel?” Daphne asked. “Do you need anything?”

Victor emptied the glass she had handed to him and smiled. His eyes were sad and defeated. This alone alarmed Daphne. All of his arrogance had drained with Percy’s accusation. She did not know what to do or say.

“You need not hover. I am perfectly fine,” he grumbled.

Tell that to your pale face.

“I have never known Percy to be that uncouth. He was quite horrid.”

He scanned her face, then stroked a finger lightly along her jaw. Daphne tried and failed not to feel anything.

“If I had to protect you and fight not to lose you, I would do worse.” Another soft flick on her chin, then he dropped the hand.

Daphne inhaled a shuddery breath. “You should not touch me… like that,” she rasped.

That evil smile reappeared, “Does it bother you?”

With another shuddery breath, he picked up her left hand and stroked it with his thumb. It was out of sight and did things to her senses. Daphne finished her drink and ached for another.

She removed her hand, “I mean, we are in public. People are watching.”

“Should they not? How else should we convince them? A kiss?”