Page 12 of Ravished by the Beastly Duke (Regency Beasts #1)

CHAPTER 12

“ Y our Grace, you look marvelous!” Gracie gushed as she added the final touches to Eveline’s makeup. “The Duke is going to be very happy.”

Eveline was forced to admit, even though she still feared the dress did not suit her, that she looked beautiful. Made of elegant green brocade, with gold embroidery stitched at the hem of the skirts and bodice in the pattern of swans, it was a piece that would turn heads.

It was cut a little low in the front to tease but not appear improper, and the corset was tight enough to accentuate her curves. It bordered on improper, just the way her husband apparently enjoyed things to be. She appreciated his taste the moment the dress had been delivered and had fingered the fabric each day until the evening of the ball.

She had kept her makeup light, with only a dusting of powder to brighten her complexion and crushed rose petal juice on her lips and cheeks to add color to her face. Gracie had shown skill with hair and had curled and pinned hers artfully.

Overall, Eveline should have felt confident, but her anxieties had surfaced again, worse than before, as she worried if she would indeed embarrass herself and by extension the Duke.

This would be their first public appearance since their scandal and marriage, and although just three weeks had passed since then, it felt as though it had been a lifetime ago.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing her out of her thoughts.

Gracie went to see to it while Eveline studied her appearance again. The emerald and diamond jewelry set the Duke had given to her sat heavily on her throat and ears, and rather than be grateful, she felt that he was using her to show off his family’s fortune.

“Your Grace, the Duke awaits you downstairs,” Gracie announced.

“All right.” Eveline nodded, rising.

Her heart raced as she stepped into the corridor, each step heavy, as she feared his reaction to her attire.

She had put in effort in the hope of pleasing him, but his reaction would tell her if she had failed or not.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she spotted him peering at his pocket watch, looking dashing in his evening wear. Her pulse quickened as she let her eyes roam over his frame.

Would she ever get accustomed to seeing her handsome husband?

She cleared her throat, and he turned to her, his eyes hardening once he did. Her steps faltered, but somehow she did not fall as she descended the stairs. His eyes were fixed on her as she moved, and it took great effort on her part not to break the stare.

When she finally reached him, she swallowed thickly, as he said nothing, his eyes still cold. She lowered her eyes, biting her lip as her fears manifested before her.

He was displeased with her appearance. That was the only logical explanation for his stony silence.

“You look beautiful,” he said suddenly, the words sounding strained.

“What?” she asked, her eyes meeting his.

“You look too beautiful for words,” he murmured, stepping closer to her. “I feel blessed among men.”

“I thought…” She swallowed. “I had feared you would be displeased.”

“Whyever would I be?” he asked.

“You did not say anything. You just watched me,” she pointed out.

She had found it easy to be vulnerable with him as their friendship had progressed even further. He was honest, and even if he had not revealed much of himself to her, she had heard him discuss literature and poetry with a skill that showed depth of character.

“I was at a loss for words,” he explained. “You do not know what your beauty does to a man, do you?”

She did not answer.

“There are too many ways and not enough ways to compliment you.” He stepped closer to her. “If I were to try, we would miss the party.”

She giggled, smiling up at him.

“You can be charming, husband,” she teased.

“Only with you, wife.”

He held out his arm to her and led her out to the carriage, helping her into it and entering behind her.

They rode in companionable silence to Haversham Estate. Once they arrived, her nerves returned, and she breathed out slowly to calm herself.

“Are you well?” the Duke asked with a hand on the small of her back.

“I feel a bit nervous,” she admitted. “We haven’t been out since…”

“Do not fear their words,” he urged. “They cannot hurt you.”

“I know that. I can not help but feel that they might be right in their assessment.”

He took her hand in his, squeezing it firmly but not hard enough to hurt her.

“I will not have you judging yourself for what you did not intend to happen,” he told her. “I also will not allow anyone else to hurt you. If you need support at any time, or if you want to leave, let me know.”

She nodded, squeezing his hand back. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Shall we go in?”

All of Eveline’s fears had been in her head, as she had been received with nothing more than warmth and intrigue. Many compliments had been foisted on her as soon as they stepped into the hall.

The Duke and Duchess of Haversham were ecstatic to have them attend and had delayed greeting their other guests just to make conversation. It made Eveline happy to see her husband get attention from someone so powerful in Society.

“Now, I am uncomfortable with the attention,” she muttered to her husband, who smiled at her. “Why won’t they stop staring?”

“You should get accustomed to it,” he whispered. “You’re a beautiful woman. The world should be falling at your feet.”

She blushed, but his words gave her a confidence she had never expected to feel. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

“Indeed.” She smiled.

He led her through the throng, greeting guests who stopped them every few steps. Soon, her feet were sore, and her face cramped from smiling so much, but she felt ecstatic. With the Duke by her side, she walked without doubting herself, and it felt wonderful to navigate a party without being burdened by insecurities.

“If it is not the happiest couple in the ton,” Eveline heard a familiar voice muse from behind them.

She turned to see the Duke of Emerton smiling at them, with two other gentlemen in tow. They were both handsome and tall like her husband, with a severe aura about them.

“Emerton.” Her husband scowled. “It is nice to see you.”

“It doesn’t look as though you are happy to see me,” the Duke of Emerton drawled and then turned to her. “You are more beautiful than a spring flower, Duchess.”

She smiled at him. “And you are as charming as ever, Duke.”

“Only with a beautiful damsel such as yourself.”

“Mayfield,” one of the other gentlemen said. “Won’t you introduce us to your wife?”

Her husband groaned, putting a hand on the small of her back.

“Eveline, may I present my friends, the Dukes of Blackmore and Gillingham. Magnus and Edwin,” he said. “Blackmore, Gillingham, this is my Duchess.”

His friends bowed respectfully.

One moved closer to them, with a young girl in tow, smiling regally. Eveline wondered if she was the gentleman’s wife.

“Your husband did not introduce us correctly,” he commented. “We are his closest friends and comrades from the Army. I am the Duke of Blackmore, but you can call me Magnus.”

“Then you must call me Eveline,” Eveline insisted.

“You must call me Theo also,” the Duke of Emerton interjected. “You have known me longer than them, and you would find I am more pleasant to be around.”

She giggled behind her fan as she remembered it was because of him that her husband had gotten upset. Not that she minded, since it had ended up in them sharing a delicious kiss. Perhaps she would attempt to rile him up again so he would repeat it, but when she looked at her husband, there was no hint of anger in his eyes.

Pity.

“In that same spirit, I would love to introduce my sister to you,” Magnus added, pulling the shy girl forward. “My sister, Cecilia, has just debuted. It would be an honor if you took her under your wing.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Cecilia,” Eveline offered. “Might I add, you look very lovely this evening.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Cecilia curtsied.

“Call me Eveline, please.”

Cecilia nodded.

Eveline noted that the other Duke was more quiet, watching her as though determining whether or not she was a dangerous creature. He did not join the others in their conversation but rather watched her. Her husband noticed his gaze and shot him a glare, but the man was undeterred.

She turned her attention back to Cecilia, who looked content to be uninvolved in the festivities around her.

“Are you not interested in dancing, Lady Cecilia?” she asked, eyeing the girl’s empty dance card.

Cecilia shook her head, her eyes wide. “I am, but it seems to be more for political reasons than enjoyment, so I shy away from it,” she answered.

“Oh. How so?”

“My brother has not allowed me to dance with any of the gentlemen that have approached me, stating that they were too far beneath me and that he would only allow it at balls,” she explained.

Eveline smiled, nodding in understanding. Ava had been much the same with her, and at the time, it had annoyed her endlessly.

“My sister was the same with me,” she admitted. “But it was because she wanted to protect me.”

“And now you’re married to a duke, and not one that is impoverished,” Cecilia added.

“Indeed.” Eveline nodded. “But I would hardly say it is because of my efforts. It was just sheer fate that things happened as they did.”

“But you are happy?” Cecilia asked, looking hopeful.

Eveline turned to eye her husband, who happened to be looking at her as well. She gave him a small smile, which he returned. His friends caught the exchange between them and looked shocked.

“I am,” she answered finally.

“I am happy for you, Eveline.” Cecilia smiled. “But I doubt I will ever be free to find my fate.”

“You mustn’t give up hope, Cecilia.”

“You do not understand the depth of my brother’s protectiveness.” Cecilia frowned. “Even if this is my debut Season, I haven’t attended many events. He doesn’t allow me to attend any events without him, and he scarcely attends events himself. What’s worse, he believes that I should experience a couple of Seasons before choosing a husband. I might die an old maid at this point!”

Not one to catastrophize, Eveline giggled softly into her hands.

“I am sorry that your brother has proven even worse than my sister.” She winced. “But you mustn’t give up hope. You have me now. I could accompany you to events in your brother’s stead, but we have to be entirely proper, or he would rescind that privilege.”

“Will you do this for me, Eveline?” Cecilia asked with wide eyes.

Eveline nodded. She let out an oomph when Cecilia threw her arms around her.

“Thank you so much!” Cecilia cried against her shoulder.

“You are welcome, darling.”

“Is not this a lovely sight to see?” Theo mused, walking up to them. “Two lovely ladies becoming fast friends.”

“I would thank you to keep your eyes off my sister, Emerton,” Magnus said with a frown.

Theo gave him a teasing smile and walked over to Cecilia.

“Why, Blackmore?” he asked. “She is a vision to behold. Why have I never seen her when I visited?”

“Because I was protecting her from your rakish eyes,” Magnus shot back.

“Do you share the same sentiments with your brother?” Theo asked with a pout. “Do I look like a rake? I fear I am being judged too harshly.”

“Emerton,” Magnus growled.

“This is not your decision to make, Blackmore,” Theo taunted. “It is the lady’s. Do not you think so, Lady Cecilia?”

“I… I…” Cecilia stuttered.

Eveline knew if she did not intervene, they might end up in a very embarrassing situation. Magnus looked red in the face and close to strangling Theo, who seemed to be enjoying taunting his friend. Cecilia, on the other hand, was blushing for an entirely different reason.

While Eveline understood that Theo was handsome, she knew the girl would send her brother to an early grave if he found out she considered his friend so.

“You two are making her uncomfortable,” she said, stepping between Theo and Cecilia. “We shall excuse ourselves now until you two learn to play nicely.”

She took Cecilia’s arm, turning to lead her away, but not before she caught her husband’s smile.

“Oh God. William just smiled!” Theo exclaimed. “I have finally seen it all in this lifetime.”

Eveline shook her head at the man’s antics.

“Eveline, what have you done to my friend?” Magnus asked with a similar look on his face. “I am in shock.”

Are they serious?

“Do not mind them,” her husband said with a smile. “They have a penchant for the dramatics.”

“Do we?” Theo scoffed. “Gillingham, tell me this is not a strange occurrence. I mean, you two are much the same.”

The Duke of Gillingham rolled his eyes but nodded.

Eveline couldn’t help but smile at their antics. She was grateful to see that her husband had such good friends and instantly missed hers. She would have to write to Lily soon and invite her to the estate.

“What have you done to our friend?” Theo asked again.

Eveline shrugged, sending a smile to her husband, who winked at her. Her breath caught in her chest at his playful demeanor, but she composed herself quickly.

“You need to know the sort of man your husband is,” Magnus supplied. “Then you might understand our feelings on the matter.”

Her husband shook his head. “We are not discussing this now.”

“We certainly have to, Mayfield.” Theo nodded. “She needs to know the man you are, and since you haven’t deemed it fit to invite us to your home, we can only make do with the opportunity before us.”

“You have never needed an invitation to my estate,” William pointed out.

“That was before you got married,” Theo countered. “We would not want to interrupt your honeymoon.”

Eveline flushed and hid her face behind her fan.

“Do not speak so crassly, Emerton,” her husband scolded. “There are ladies present.”

Theo, at least, had the decency to look ashamed. “Nonetheless, the fact remains that you were too busy enjoying life as a married man to remember your friends.”

“Indeed, I am,” William said with a smile. “Perhaps when you are married, you will understand why I am no longer keen on your company.”

Theo gasped. “You never wanted to be married, Mayfield,” he scoffed. “ We encouraged you, and this is the thanks we get. Mockery?”

“Indeed.” William nodded. “Now, I must excuse myself. I want to dance with my wife.”

Eveline’s eyes widened.

“To think you were once soundly against the institution,” Theo groaned. “You seem to be enjoying yourself more than anyone else.”

“That was until I met my wife,” William answered. “Shall we?”

Eveline stared at his arm and then took it, lowering her eyes. She had not expected him to ask her to dance, but now that he did, she could not wait.

“It is not exactly proper, husband,” she warned.

“When have we ever done anything proper?”