Page 86 of Stolen By the Rakish Duke

“You’d make a terrible villain,” she said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You’re too honorable.”

Something flickered in his eyes—doubt, perhaps, or old shadows—but he masked it quickly with a smile. “Don’t let that get around. I’ve cultivated my rakish reputation for years.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” She sat up, regretfully aware of the day’s responsibilities. “We should accept the invitation. It’s been too long since I’ve seen Georgina.”

Leo sighed dramatically but nodded. “As my Duchess commands.”

Beatrice’s lips curled into a smile.

Windermere House blazed with light, every window glowing against the night. Beatrice adjusted her sapphire earrings—a wedding gift from Leo that matched her gown—as their carriage joined the queue of elegant conveyances depositing guests at the entrance.

“Ready?” Leo asked, his voice low and intimate in the carriage’s darkness.

“As I’ll ever be.” She smoothed her skirts, suddenly nervous. “It’s our first real social engagement since?—”

“Since I carried you out of that ball like a man possessed?” His lips quirked in that half-smile that never failed to quicken her pulse. “I believe that’s the story Lady Jersey’s been circulating.”

“Well, she’s not entirely wrong,” Beatrice admitted, thinking of the heated kisses they had shared in this very carriage afterward. “Though her version likely includes swooning and dramatic declarations.”

“I’m perfectly capable of dramatic declarations,” Leo said, feigning offense. “I simply save them for more…privatemoments.”

Heat bloomed in Beatrice’s cheeks. “Leo!” she gasped. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You love it.”

His words hung between them, charged with unspoken meaning. Because she knew it was true. She did love it.

The carriage door soon opened, and they were swept into the glittering whirl of London Society once again.

Georgina greeted them warmly, kissing Beatrice’s cheek before turning to Leo with a knowing smile.

“Duke, how delightful to see you looking so… rejuvenated,” she teased.

Leo bowed over her hand, unruffled by the subtle dig at his previously notorious habits, especially where his new bride was concerned. “Marriage agrees with me, Duchess. As does the company I keep.”

His gaze flicked to Beatrice as he spoke, filled with such adoration that she nearly forgot they had an audience.

Beatrice, overcome with embarrassment, looked away quickly enough to catch the way Georgina’s eyes widened before her smile grew.

“Hm, I can see that.” Georgina reached for Beatrice’s hand. “Come, let me introduce you to our guests of honor—though I should warn you, Lady Pennington has been dying to interrogate you about your rushed nuptials. She’s convinced there’s a novel’s worth of romance behind it.”

“If only she knew,” Leo murmured for Beatrice’s ears only, his hand warm on the small of her back.

The Windermeres’ music room was already crowded with London’s elite, voices rising and falling in the familiar cadence of gossip. Beatrice spotted Isabella across the room, engaged in what appeared to be a spirited debate with Lord Westham’s eldest son.

“Your sister seems to be enjoying herself,” Leo observed, following her gaze.

Beatrice smiled. “Isabella thrives on confrontation. Poor Lord William doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Shall we rescue him?”

“Absolutely not. She told me that he called her views on women’s education ‘charmingly naive’ at Lady Jersey’s last dinner. He deserves whatever verbal lashing she’s delivering.”

Leo laughed, the sound drawing curious glances from nearby guests. “Remind me never to cross a Hunton woman.”

“Wise decision, Your Grace.”

They wandered through the room, pausing to exchange pleasantries with acquaintances. Beatrice felt the curious gazes following them, the whispered speculations.