Page 41 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

"You have worn a similar dress, have you not?" he asked. "This should be no great challenge to you."

She eyed the dress again, lifting it so she could see it in its entirety. The neckline was cut lower than anything she had ever seen or worn and the skirt shorter than her previous costume.

There were linen scraps in the box as well as when she lifted them, her eyes turned to him in shock. It was a set of underwear that barely covered anything.

She knew she had wanted to taste a hint of scandalous activities but he was pushing her beyond what was respectable.

"You wanted a change from your life and I have offered it to you," he said, coming to stand before her. "You should be thankful."

"I did not seek to make a fool of myself in front of people. If anyone saw me in this…"

"I assure you, no one respectable will see you in this…"

"Still…"

"I have added a mask to give you some semblance of anonymity," he offered finally. "You promised me obedience and I will have it now."

"You offered me to opportunity to say no if I wasn't comfortable with anything," she retorted. "I am not comfortable."

He wrapped his arms around her, looking down at her with an understanding look.

"I care for your reputation just as you do and this is the least harmful thing you have done," he retorted. "Remember the Keiton ball?"

She flushed and slapped his chest.

Why did he have to use that moment against her?

"I will wear it but if I am caught in a scandal, my brother will have your head," she warned him.

He grinned broadly.

"I am glad I have made you see reason. Now turn around let me help you change."

"Here?"

"Yes," he answered. "It is private and no one will interrupt us here."

"But…"

"It is not the first time I will see you unclad, Cecilia," he chided, turning her back to him. "We are going to be late."

He had seen her undressed and seen the most intimate parts of her but that didn't mean she didn't still feel vulnerable around him.

He undressed her quickly, stepping back to admire her nude form before helping her first into the racy undergarments that had his eyes darkening and then the dress.

When he was done, she felt scandalized as he watched her but also beautiful. Desire was evident in his gaze and the heat his eyes left on the parts of her they lingered on warmed her as well.

She straightened her posture and ran a hand over the skirt of the dress as he perused her, her pulse racing when he still hadn't said anything.

The dress fit her perfectly and she wondered how he had gotten her measurements. He truly was full of surprises and she wasn't sure she would retain her sanity if he continued on the path he was on.

"You look ravishing," he said finally, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on her knuckles. "In as much as I am tempted to forgo the event, it is necessary we attend."

She nodded even though anxiety filled her but she was grateful it was a masked event. she didn't want to imagine what getting caught by a member of the nobility would do to her reputation but she trusted him enough to know he wouldn't risk them being discovered.

"The mask?" she asked.

"Ah." He pulled the fabric from his pocket and secured it for her.