Page 49 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke

Victor was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, shrouded by the golden light of the soft flame. He was shirtless with a cup in hand and a half-empty bottle beside him. He had not even noticed her presence but seemed engrossed in his thoughts, for which she was grateful.

Seeing him thus put an image to what she had imagined when her hand had been against his abdomen. He had a beautiful frame with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. There was a smattering of dark hair across his chest which narrowed into a thin line that disappeared into the waistband of his trousers. Her mouth went dry at the sight.

Her eyes went back up to his face and she realized he still had not noticed her presence and had a tormented look on his face. Concern immediately sparked up inside her pushing her to his side.

She crouched down beside him, placing a hand on his arm softly.

“Daphne?” he asked, staring at her in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes darted around as if he was looking for someone.

“You should not be here,” he told her. “It’s late.”

“I know. I was worried.” She said with a small voice. “You did not come down for dinner. Are you all right?”

“I am well,” he answered rising to his feet. “As you can see. So you can leave now.”

She took in his red-rimmed eyes. She could smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Your appearance suggests otherwise,” she scolded, wrinkling her nose. “You should not drink so much.”

“It is not your business in which vices I do or do not indulge.”

“You are right. It is not,” she admitted. “Still, that does not stop me from being concerned about you.”

He sighed shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

“I needed some time alone.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?” he asked with a frown.

“You have been in the public so often over the last few days, I have wondered if your dislike of parties was true,” Daphne explained as she sat on one of the sofas. “Your sudden absence is nothing short of concerning.”

“I am well, Daphne.”

She quirked a brow at him, patting the spot beside her.

“I am here if you need to talk.”

“I do not need totalk,” he spat as if the last word disgusted him. “I need to be alone and you should be on your way back to your chambers.”

“Give me one good reason and I shall be on my way.”

He looked positively exasperated and came to stand in front of her signaling at his chest.

Her mouth went dry as she let her eyes run down his frame again.

“I am in a state of undress, and so are you. If anyone should find you here, it would be a scandal of the worst sort. I do not want that on my conscience because I will refuse to marry you,” he said. “If that is what you hope for, you should rethink your plan.”

“No one will find us at this hour, Victor.”

“Youmuststay away from me,” he tried again going for a softer tune. “You are pure and untainted, and I intend for you to remain that way. No matter how hard it is for me.”

She was taken aback by his confession.

Does this mean he desires me too?