Page 17 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke (Regency Beasts #3)

" I am positively bored," Lily complained with a frown, looking about the Keiton home.

Cecilia much agreed, but she could scarcely voice her thoughts as her eyes roamed the room for possible suitors. She, Lily and Eveline were at the Keiton ball and while the rest of the ton seemed to revel in the festivities, they had resorted to hiding by the refreshment table.

"The best place to seek out possible spouses," Lily had said and she couldn't disagree even if the girl was yet to be married.

"I do not intend to tie my future to someone who needs someone to help him wear his shoes," Cecilia said severely.

Magnus had warned her against associating with Lily because her progressive views weren't secret in society, but as the only friend who would permit her freedom to air her grievous thoughts without making her the object of rumors, she ignored his unnecessary counsel.

"Why is there a sudden dearth of suitable men?" she sighed, eyeing the unmarried lot.

Her eyes brightened when she spied Lords Tristan and Buckley by the balcony. Lord Tristan was the heir to the Earl of Selmy and Lord Buckley, heir to the Earl of Oakwood. They were discussing with Lords Barton and Asher and looked elegant in their evening wear.

They didn't make her heart race or set heat in her skin but they were sufficiently handsome and with time, she could come to feel attraction. Especially if they proved smart and well versed in literature.

Besides, they were of well-respected families that even Magnus would hardly find fault in but just to seek more opinions on the matter, she turned to her friends.

"What do you think of me pursuing Lords Tristan or Buckley?" she asked them.

"I haven't heard much of them except their love of sports and drink. They might be a good pair to pursue although you would have to fight past the gaggle of debutantes with their sights set on them."

She hadn't noticed before but there was indeed a group of young ladies watching the men.

"Lily." She turned to the girl who was munching on some hors d'oeuvres. "What have you heard about Lords Tristan and Buckley?"

The girl knew all about the scandal surrounding most of the gentlemen of the ton and if these had a scandal or rumor of any sort, she would know.

Lily looked up from her tray and shook her head, earning surprised looks.

"Why haven't you mentioned them to me then?" Cecilia cried exasperated.

"Because. Your brother might not approve of them," she defended, shrugging her shoulders.

"Why wouldn't he approve?" she asked, confused. "He would be unreasonable not to."

"They are young and yet to inherit their titles," she answered. "He would no doubt want someone who would have proven himself capable of handling his responsibilities."

"What about my happiness?" she complained with a pout.

"If he ends up bankrupting his family, will you be happy then?" Lily asked. "You have to think of your future above what you feel."

Cecilia eyed her friend with a raised brow as she had begun to sound like Magnus did when he started one of his lectures. She thought her friend had understood her all this time but it seemed she was mistaken.

"Why do you sound like Magnus?" she asked with a frown. "Do not dissuade me on this venture. There's a scarcity of eligible men free of scandal that will treat me well. I cannot afford to wait. Besides, I do not intend to get married right away. I intend to have a long courtship."

"And if they do not want a long courtship?" she asked. "Would you suddenly refuse the engagement? I just worry for you that you are not thinking far into the future. I do not want you regretting your decision."

"I am perfectly capable of making sound decisions about my future and I do not need you or my brother treating me as though I am nothing but a willful child."

She stormed away from the refreshment table in the direction of the steps the men were beginning to descend. It seemed the other debutantes had the same idea she did and they tried to shove their way past her but she didn't struggle and watched their poor attempt at conversation.

The men were charming and even more handsome closer and though they tried to be polite, she saw how much the girls bored them. She watched the interaction with interest and made eye contact with Lord Buckley.

She sent him a small smile and lowered her eyes, using her fan to lightly fan her face as though she was blushing.

Her attempt at seduction worked and he made his excuses to the girls coming over to meet her.

"Lady Cecilia," he said, bowing. "I do not believe we have been formally introduced but forgive me my breaking of formalities."

She smiled and lowered her eyes in a bashful look.

"There is nothing to forgive, Lord Buckley," she told him.

"Might I say you look radiant this evening?"

Not ravishing? she wanted to ask but stayed the silly thought.

Why she would be thinking something so improper now, she couldn't understand.

"I thank you," she told him. "Are you enjoying your evening?"

He moved to answer but she caught Emerton descending the stairs into the room with a small smile on his face.

Her eyes followed him as he made his turn about the room, greeting and socializing with a confident smile on his face.

She noticed it wasn't any like the smiles he gave her but was sedate, polite, nothing at all like the man with such decadent desires.

"Lady Cecilia?"

Her attention was called back to the conversation she had been in with Lord Buckley who looked as though he had asked her a question.

"Pardon me?" she said. "I thought I saw my brother calling for me."

"Oh." He smiled. "It is alright."

He was a pleasant man with a nice smile yet as they conversed, Cecilia felt nothing but blissful cordiality unlike what Emerton made her feel with…

She pushed the thought out of her mind.

She couldn't be thinking of him at a time when she was supposed to be discussing with possible suitors.

"What was your question?" she asked with an apologetic smile.

"I asked if you would like to go on a ride through the park tomorrow?" he repeated with a small smile. "I find conversation with you enjoyable."

"I…" she stuttered. "I would love to."

His smile was bright, which caused her to smile as well though it didn't seem as easy as his.

She should have been happy that he wanted to see her again yet she felt nothing but… numbness.

Her eyes trailed to Emerton, who was conversing with Miss Fiona, something unpleasant pooled in the pit of her stomach when she saw him kiss her hand softly but she swallowed it down.

Of course he would flirt and charm others.

There was nothing between them so she didn't have the right to feel possessive of his attention.

His eyes met hers across the room and she averted her eyes quickly hoping he had been looking past her and not directly at her.

She risked another glance at him and saw he was sporting a triumphant smile as he watched her. His attention was drawn away by the older man at his side who looked nearly identical to him except for their age.

She knew his father had passed on already and knew it would be his uncle. They were deep in conversation and Lord Buckley had started another line of conversation that didn't really require her input so she took the time to organize her thoughts.

Her eyes trailed to him again wondering how long it would be before he turned to her again. She noticed he still had the mocking grin on his face even though he conversed with his some of the noblemen who had come to greet him.

He knew she was watching him yet made no move to look her way. She moved her eyes and noticed another pair on her.

It was the man he had been speaking too earlier and the man smiled softly turning back to his conversation.

Her eyes widened at having been caught by someone staring at the duke when they were not supposed to be acquainted.

Her heart raced as fear assailed her.

What if others noticed as well?

"Are you unwell, Lady Cecilia?" Lord Buckley asked.

She shook her head.

"I am alright, Lord Buckley," she answered, trying for a smile.

"You look flushed. I should fetch you some punch," he said. "I will only be a moment."

She tried to regulate her heart, placing a hand against her cheeks to cool them but as she did, she felt someone bump into her and before she could turn, she heard his voice behind her.

Hadn't he done enough already?

"Pardon me, Lady Cecilia," he said. "I did not see you."

She turned to him and he had a sedate smile on his face but his eyes held mischief and so much dark promise that her intrigue was piqued.

"Your Grace," she greeted, remembering they were in public and eyes were on them. "It is forgiven. Mistakes do happen."

Eyes always followed the duke when he was a guest at a party, she had noticed since they had begun their deal, and she had now joined the number of those who watched him. the only difference was she had his eyes in turn and the thought had her meeting his eyes with confidence.

He grinned wolfishly, exposing the side of him he only showed to her in private but as soon as he had done so, he buried it returning to the image of the charming Duke of Emerton.

"But not often where I am concerned," he said softly. "I do everything perfectly."

"You admit to bumping into me intentionally," she accused.

"I will not say anything that admits or denies guilt," he told her.

She saw some society mamas whispering behind their fans and they had no doubt noted how she conversed alone with him without a chaperone in sight.

She had forgotten she couldn't allow word of their acquaintance reach her brother's ears or she would get another lecture she didn't need.

"We cannot continue to be seen together," she told him, sending a glance around the room.

He nodded and leaned forward.

"Meet me in the library then," he whispered. "Do not keep me waiting."

She stiffened at the feel of his hot breath by her ear and stole a glance around the room to see if anyone noticed her reaction to him but thankfully they had all returned to their conversation now that he had left her.

She chewed her lip as she watched him ascend the steps out of the ballroom. If she were to follow that same path, someone would definitely suspect a scandal was afoot and would follow her.

It was entirely improper, what he was suggesting. The library was hardly private and was the most common place for scandals to occur.

Still, she was sorely tempted.

Just a few stolen moments with him filled her with more fire and longing than any of the gentlemen that she had conversed with.

She eyed the door leading to the hallway and went in. If anyone saw her, they would assume she was heading to the powder room and not chasing after a duke to near ruination.

"You came," he said when she stepped into the library.

He sounded so close yet so far away and in the dim lighting, she could not see him.

"Close the door, little mouse," he instructed from the near darkness. "You do not want anyone knowing we are both here unchaperoned, do you? That would ruin our fun for the evening."

She did as he said, gasping when she felt him slide up against her. He had been deathly silent when he moved that she hadn't even heard or felt it.

Now that he stood so close to her, his heat welcomed her like a familiar caress that she leaned into.

He chuckled behind her and wrapped a hand around her waist.

"You missed me, did you?" he whispered, nipping her ear softly.

Heat shot through her unlike anything she had ever felt and she felt herself sag against him.

Her breasts felt full with need. Her nipples hardened to painful points in her dress and all she wanted was to be free of it, but there were too many complications and this was no place to explore such risky behaviors.

His hand crept higher, cupping her breasts and she leaned harder against him as liquid heat pooled at her core, rendering her knees weak. His other hand came around her to hold her up to the onslaught of his hands.

"You are incorrigible," she breathed out when she felt his hands pinch at her nipples through her gown.

The man hadn't even let her decide if she wished to chase seduction somewhere so risky and was now assaulting her senses so she couldn't think rationally.

He really was the worst sort of rake.

"I am just a man who intends to make your desires happen, Cecilia, " he whispered against her neck. "Do not fault me if I enjoy myself thoroughly in the process."

Cecilia whimpered at his wicked words. He had such a naughty mouth on him that she wondered how he maintained his duality in polite society. Only a few days she had spent in his company, she had struggled to maintain polite conversation.

"We cannot…" she tried to protest but the words struggled to form as he continued to caress her neck with his lips. "Someone could walk in."

Surely he could understand why it was too dangerous to do something so scandalous here.

"I will just have to be quick then," he said, turning her to face him. "Do try to keep silent, little mouse."

Before she could think about what those ominous words meant, he slanted his lips over her, hands moving down her back so he could grab her buttocks and lift her to him.

Oh, she thought.

She finally understood what he meant.