Page 19 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke (Regency Beasts #3)

C ecilia breathed easier as the hansom deposited her in front of Emerton's estate. She never breathed easily until she had arrived at his estate as each time it was getting harder to escape her brother.

He had been pleased when she reported her growing friendship with Lord Buckley but while she didn't care for his approval of the match, she had only told him so he would hover less around her.

It was her third night with Emerton and she was already anticipating the next item to be ticked off her list. They had not seen each other since the Keiton ball a week prior and it had eaten at her that he hadn't even thought to write.

When she stepped into his study, he nodded at her and she frowned stepping into the room that didn't look as though it was prepared for his painting.

"Are you not painting today?" she asked.

"No." he answered, heading to the sideboard to pour himself a drink. "I have secured us invitations to an engagement much like the Solstice ball so your activity will be outside my estate today."

Oh.

"You said those parties were dangerous," she accused.

"Indeed I did, but you will be with me the whole night." he answered with a grin. "No one would dare hurt you. Besides, you won't be looking for a partner for whatever scandalous idea you have. I will be your partner for the evening."

She rolled her eyes at how he used her embarrassing incidents against her so easily as one wielded a knife but that was the least of her worries.

She hadn't prepared a dress for the evening and the simple evening dress she had worn would hardly be suitable for the improper society they would be meeting.

"I took the liberty of having a dress made for you much after the fashion of the first I saw you in," he announced, sipping from his glass tumbler as he watched her. "I made a few improvements, of course, but I believe you will find it quite suitable."

He pointed to a box she hadn't noticed on the settee and gave her a nod to open it.

She frowned as she moved to the box. It didn't appear to be from any of the dressmakers she frequented and was entirely unassuming but she knew that as long as he had had a hand in the design, it would be something no respectable modiste would be willing to design.

She opened the box, unfolding the paper used to line the box and slapped a hand over her mouth at the fabric. Her eyes snapped to his but he had a beatific look on his face.

"Your Grace, you cannot expect me to wear… that," she complained pointing to the dress.

"Why not?" he asked. "It is perfectly suitable for the event we'll be attending."

"It is profane," she answered. "I am an unmarried woman and it is not…"

"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.

"Now you're ready."

She was surprised when he led her into his carriage instead of hailing a hansom to protect his identity. He wasn't even wearing a mask, she noted and asked him about it.

"My attendance of such scandalous affairs is no secret, Cecilia," he answered, helping her into the carriage. "Even then, the hosts know better than to lose my confidence."

She nodded even though the warning in her tone made her wary.

He was a powerful man even if the image he gave was of one unbothered by the weight of responsibility. She remembered the way men flocked to him at balls trying to gain credibility by associating with him. He was a man who wielded power easily even if he wasn't heady with it.

The ride to the nondescript house was short and soon he was helping out of the carriage into the house lit very dimly. It was much the same as the previous ball but there were less people milling about than the previous.

Once they had been given admittance, he turned to her with a serious look.

"You may take off your mask now, little mouse," he told her.

"My mask?" she asked, looking around. "I thought…"

"You will not need it here."

She looked around the room and true to his word, there were no other guests wearing masks. She was the odd one and that was what drew attention to her.

She reached to undo the ties and took off the mask.

Why had he suggested she wear the mask in the first place?

"Anyone could have seen your face when we left my estate," he answered as though he heard her thoughts.

"It was to protect you but here… no one comes here to hide.

Only the most thoroughly investigated guests are invited here to ensure that no one's reputation is harmed.

Here one can chase whatever height of pleasure they desired without anyone calling it scandalous. "

Cecilia knew she had crossed into dangerous waters then if a place existed where one could chase depravity without judgement.

She spied guests coming in and out of alcoves and doors she hadn't noticed before but from the sight of the states of undress of the pairs, she knew the purpose they served.

Did he intend to perhaps take her into one of those alcoves?

A server passed by her with a tray of drinks and she took one, downing the sweet wine quickly to calm her racing heart.

"I warned you about the drinks in these parties," he scolded, taking the cup from her. "They are meant to lower your inhibitions."

She raised a brow at him, snatching another cup from a passing server but this time taking a slower sip.

She was already feeling the effects of the first one she had downed but she didn't want to admit it.

A languid warmth seeped into her blood and the colors in the room seemed more vivid than before.

A loose smile slipped on to her face as she looked at him.

"Isn't that the entire point of coming to a place such as this?" she asked, smiling wider as he frowned.

His nostrils flared and pulled her to him.

"You…"

"I would like to dance," she announced, interrupting him.

He cupped her chin to keep her eyes focused on him and from this proximity, his beautiful green eyes pulled her in. She eyed his full lips, her mouth growing dry when she remembered the pleasure his lips had brought her. she wanted to kiss him again.

"I didn't bring you here to dance today," he said, pulling away. "I wanted to show you what it was like to live without any restrictions."

He led her to the first floor of the house and passed by the alcoves. Some were shut and the curtains of others flitted open in a small breeze.

Her eyes went wide when she saw couples in various states of embrace, her cheeks flaming at the sensuality of it all.

"This was what I wanted to show you," he said. "No one comes here hiding. They want freedom to love and be loved. These rooms are not always locked and others… others are open for either viewing or as an invitation to join in on the activities."

Her eyes went wide at his explanation.

Did that mean it wasn't always just two people?

"Come," he told her. "I have more to show you."

He led her down the hallway until they spied a door left completely open, only then did he stop. He turned her to the door and she reddened seeing a couple in a passionate embrace.

They were kissing rather intensely and the man had his hands trailing up the lady's thigh. Her body warmed when she remembered how the duke's hand and lips had trailed up her thigh much the same way.

"This was what I wanted to show you, little mouse," he said, coming to stand close behind her.

"We should not be watching," she said trying to turn away but he held her still. "It is not proper."

"If you wanted proper, Cecilia, you would never have come here with me, never have begged to help you with your list or written your lips," he countered, smooth as silk yet decadent as the flush of the fabric against one's skin.

"You have never wanted proper. You're as depraved as every single one of us here and even if you deny it to yourself, I know the truth of you. Now watch."