Page 5 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke (Regency Beasts #3)

Why had she bumped into him of all people?

He was the least likely to visit her brother in their home seeing as they had nothing in common yet of all nights he had decided to.

"You shouldn't be here. Why are you even here?" she whispered, stepping closer to him so she could continue their conversation without being overheard.

She heard a door close upstairs and stiffened.

Magnus should be retiring to his chambers already but if he was, wouldn't he stop by her chamber to see her?

"I came to see your brother."

"Whatever for?"

"I do not see how that concerns you," he retorted like a stubborn oaf. "I have visited your home many times in the past and you have not had any concern then."

"That was before you caught me half-dressed at a scandalous party."

"Indeed," he answered and she noticed his eyes move to her cleavage.

Heat filled her at his perusal and she stepped away from him, cradling her hand to her chest. How could she ever hope to move past this encounter?

She had been able to bear the scandal of wearing such a risqué costume when she knew she wouldn't be recognized by anyone she knew but now every time her brother introduced her to his friends or she spied him across any of the ton's ballrooms, she would feel as though he were seeing her nearly naked again.

"Have you come to report me?" she asked in a small voice.

If he had, it was better she prepared herself before she retired upstairs to face her brother's wrath.

"If I had, would you be upset?" he asked with a smile. "It might be amusing to see your brother red in the face and trying to imagine if it is rage or embarrassment."

She raised a brow at him.

"If you would derive joy in seeing me locked away until my marriage to whatever gentleman my brother decided would have me despite my ruination then it would indeed be amusing," she said dryly.

Surely he couldn't be so far from being a gentleman that he would report her to her brother who everyone knew to be a stickler for propriety.

She couldn't even fathom just what her brother's ire would make him do but a boring marriage would be the least of her concerns then.

There were so many options she could imagine but none in the least more pleasant than the other.

"No," he answered, holding up the list. "I did not think it wise to do so considering he would hate that I had seen his precious little sister in such a state of undress.

" He eyed her as one might eye a delicious piece of chocolate cake and bit his lip lightly then added, "He would hate that very much. "

She felt warm under his gaze and while she should have protested being looked at by him in such a disrespectful manner, she felt like she should stand up straighter to give him a better look.

He obviously didn't think her unpleasant to look upon and that realization had her feeling powerful that such a man would like to look upon her.

He's a rake, Cecilia, She scolded her errant mind. Everything in skirts is pleasant to look upon for him.

She steeled her resolve, eying the paper in his hands as he perused it again and she felt even more bare before him as he eyed the contents with avid amusement. She frowned when he chuckled and snatched the paper from his grip.

He burst into laughter then, forgetting they were supposed to be as quiet as possible so she slapped her hand over his mouth again.

"Be quiet at once!" she ordered.

He shot her a glare that had her stumbling back from him.

"While I find you amusing, Cecilia, do not think to forget you are speaking to a duke," he warned.

"I… I…"

He laughed at her confusion and she frowned again.

He seemed to enjoy laughing at her.

"You are infuriating," she gasped, turning away from him.

"And you are quite possibly the most interesting person I have ever met," he told her. "Which is why I must advise you to cease this task you intend on pursuing. It is dangerous."

"I will hardly be hurt by anything there. It only…"

"It risks your reputation, therefore it is dangerous," he scolded. "Have you stopped to think for one second what would have happened if it was anyone else you met this evening that recognized you? Do you think there are that many gentlemen that would keep your secret?"

She had indeed thought of that.

"I have and I am grateful you chose discretion instead of ousting me but…"

"But nothing, Cecilia," he said with finality. "I expect you to apply yourself to common sense and stay away from balls like the one you attended today. It is much too dangerous for you."

"And if I choose to go?" she asked, not knowing why she felt the need to rile him. "Will you report me to my brother?"

"I will if you choose to keep being so stubborn."

"You cannot keep me from pursing my happiness when you do not understand my reason for doing so," she said, lowering her eyes. "It is not foolishness that drives me but weariness. I am tired of being treated like I am incapable of rational thought."

"I can understand your desire for freedom but this is not the path to do so."

She scoffed and turned away.

"I thought you would understand me," she accused. "You do not seem bound by any rules."

"That is because I am powerful enough to break these rules without suffering the consequences. You are not."

She knew that but she didn't want to agree with him.

He was a reprobate by all standards but while lesser men were shunned by mamas and chaperones, he was still hounded by them because he was a duke.

He was accepted in every circle, respectable or not because he had power to ruin or build up reputations.

She was sure he had an invitation to every ball and only had to decide which to visit. He could even…

An idea dropped in her mind that was too tempting to resist.

"You could take me then," she offered. "You could be my partner to these balls and you can protect me."

He laughed again, tossing his head back and exposing the long, elegant column of his throat but she forced herself to focus on the idea that seemed the most sensible option she hadn't even considered.

He would be able to keep an eye on her and guide her to responsible people who wouldn't hurt her and since he knew all the hottest events, she could attend by his side.

"Clearly you have no sense of danger. Or else you would not dare suggest I be your partner." His words were playful but his tone and gaze were anything but.

She was filled with a vivid sense of danger like she had been when they had been alone in that dark corridor.

"You will find no kindness in these halls nor with me, little cat.

Most men don't come here to find brides and women don't come here to find husbands.

The only thing you can find is pleasure.

Hard and fast. No lovemaking here so do not be misguided.

You have come to a very dangerous place and you're all alone with a dangerous man smelling as delicious as you do. "

She remembered his words vividly and was once again filled with a slick heat that had her aware of his potent charm and presence but if she could keep her wits about him then other men would pale in comparison.

"I do understand, which is why you are a perfect partner," she said, stepping closer to him ignoring how his nostrils flared. "Scoundrels are likely to stay far from me."

"Only because you would be with the biggest scoundrel."

"I will complete all the things on my list, Your Grace, with or without you," she told him, squaring her shoulders. "I am only giving you the chance to protect your conscience."

He looks deep in thought for a moment and she knew if he was considering it then he would help her soon.

Before she could blink, he had pulled her into him and spun so her back was against the wall. She gasped but he didn't give her time to regain her breath as he pressed his body against hers.

"You drive a hard bargain, little mouse, but I will help you," he said, casually fingering a stray lock of her hair. "I can scarcely leave you to do them alone."

"Thank you, Your…"

"Don't thank me just yet." He grinned wolfishly. "You might just find that you regret your decision."

"I won’t, Your Grace."

He nodded.

"You will give me seven nights then," he told her, pulling away from her. "I expect a prompt response when I call for you."

He didn't wait to see if she agreed and stepped out of the room. Cecilia didn't know why she felt like she had just made a bargain with the devil but she felt elated she had gotten her way nonetheless.