Page 4 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

She had lied to her brother and stolen away from polite society to such a scandalous event, showing her legs and more cleavage than she would have liked to in public, and he was laughing at her.

She lifted her eyes to his with hard resolve to not seem so small in his eyes.

"I am not scared," she spat. "You assaulted and startled me with your rough handling of my person, sir."

He laughed, loud and long, and tapped her chin.

"I have upset the little mouse." He smiled. "Perhaps you might be a kitten instead."

She pushed off the wall and tried to move away but he blocked her path.

"You might have walked in here easily, little cat, but you cannot leave just as easily," he teased. "I have been coming to theseparties but no one has ever caught my interest as you have. Surely you want to know why."

She did but she didn't like him knowing he would read her so easily.

"I thank you to remove yourself from my path, sir," she advised, folding her arms so he'd know she was serious.

He grinned wolfishly.

"The kitten has claws," he drawled. "You keep fascinating me. I will tell you if you refuse to ask. You're new to the Solstice ball and as innocent as a debutante. It interests me what could dare an innocent to brave such a scandalous event."

She let out a gasp in surprise before she could think better of it and hide her reaction. How had he discerned that so easily?

She thought she had successfully hidden it.

"You are surprised I saw through you?" He smiled. His eyes looked dangerous in the candlelight and she wondered if perhaps the tiger mask had been chosen to reflect his character. "Do not worry. I just have a very perceptive eye."

She squared her shoulders stubbornly. Even if he had figured her out that didn't mean she had to answer him honestly.

Now that she knew this unchivalrous part of him, her interest was starting to wane. She didn't like a man that would laugh at her innocence to her face. To think she had wanted to kiss him.

"I have offended you," he stated. "It is hard not to do so when you won't converse with me."

"I do not want to converse with you," she told him.

"Why ever not?" he inquired. "I have been told I am much fun."

"You're rude and not at all funny," she answered, feeling no need to mince her words.

He took no offense at her tone but dropped his hand from her face.

"I haven't made a good impression on the lady," he said. "I apologize. May we begin again?"

She pouted and weighed her options.

If she returned to the hall, she would have to try to find another stranger to kiss and the thought didn't appeal to her as much.

"You will refrain from laughing at me," she stated.

He nodded. "All right."

He grinned fully then and she swallowed down pride that, despite not doing much of anything at all, she had made a man smile.

"Why are you here?" he asked. "You clearly aren't used to such scandal yet…"

"You presume to know I am an innocent."

"Do I?" he asked with a grin. "When you stepped in, you were unable to stop staring and from the way you hold yourself, it is obvious you are scandalized by what you're wearing."