Page 18 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

Christopher smiled. The girl had made quite a few mistakes, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. Instead, he said, “I think you did amazing. How long have you been playing for?”

“Almost a year now.”

“Only a year? And you’re already this good?”

She lit up. “Do you mean that? You really think that I played well?”

“I do.”

“Do you want to play another?”

“Actually, I think he wants to dance with Veronica,” Rose cut in.

“What?” Veronica squeaked.

Milly lit up. “Oh! I can play a waltz for you! I just started learning a new one.”

“Come now you two,” Veronica stammered a soft flush creeping up her neck. “I doubt he wants to-”

Her words died in her throat when he got to his feet, walking over to her with a soft smile before extending a hand.

“Shall we?” he asked.

Veronica was too stunned to speak. Her heart pounded in her chest. All she could manage was a jerky nod before taking his hand and getting to her feet.

They took up position in the center of the room, then Milly started to play.

She wasn’t very good. Every few notes, she missed a key or hit the wrong one, but the girl didn’t seem to notice.

Nor did Veronica for that matter. In fact, she felt like she was barely even hearing the music. All she could focus on was just how close she was to Christopher.

His hand on her waist, the other one wrapped around her own hand. The way his eyes seemed to track her face as they moved through the familiar steps.

She was so focused on him that she missed the way Rose was staring at her in stunned silence only a few feet away.

“Are you all right?” He asked, voice so close his words brushed against her ear as she spoke.

“Of course. I am. Why wouldn't I be?”

“I don't know. You only seem a bit flustered.”

“And I wonder why that would be?” She huffed.

“So do I. That's why I was asking.”

He paused for a moment and she thought he would let it drop, but then he spoke again.

“You look really lovely tonight.”

She flushed, hand tightening on his shoulder. Even her ears felt hot with embarement. “Why are you saying such things?”

“Because it's true. You look rather lovely, and the way you flush is down right adorable.”

“That's - you can't just say this all of a sudden, especially in front of my sisters.”

“It isn't like they can hear us.”

“You don't know that. It is hardly that loud in here and it isn't like Rose has much to listen to aside from us.”

“She also has Millys playing. Besides, even if she hears, how is that a problem? It isn't like we are doing anything untoward. I am simply talking to my wife.”

“That isn't the problem.”

“Then what is?”

“It would be embarrassing.”

“Then what would you have us do?”

“Perhaps we could simply enjoy each other's company for the rest of the song.”

“I thought that's what we were doing.”

“I meant silently.”

“Then perhaps you should have specified.”

She huffed.

“All right, very well. We can do it your way.”

“Thank you.” She let out a sigh of relief.

He fell blessedly silent after that. It wasn’t long before the song came to an end.

She hesitated for a moment before she stepped back, heart still pounding.

“That was lovely. Thank you,” her voice came out badly above a whisper.

“It was. Thank you.”

“Do you want me to play another one?” Milly called from the piano, a wide grin on her face.

“I think we should all sit and talk for a bit,” Veronica said.

“But we already did that at dinner.”

Christopher laughed. “I doubt we have exhausted every possible conversation topic. Why don't you tell me about what you've been learning aside from piano.”

She smiled. “I suppose I can do that.”

Seated on the sofa they spent the rest of the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company until late in to the evening.

When it was getting late, Rose got to her feet with a smile. “I think Milly is getting rather tired. I’m going to take her back to our room.”

“I'm not,” she insisted, shaking her head. “In fact, quite the opposite! I am still wide awake.”

Rose bit back a smile. “That may well be true, but I am rather tired. You wouldn't stay up without me and make me miss out on all the fun would you?”

She crossed her arms. “I guess not.”

“Thank you, Milly. That is very kind of you.” Then she turned back to Christopher and Veronica. “Please excuse us for tonight.”

“Yes, of course,” Christopher said, rising to his feet. “I hope you had a pleasant evening.”

“Sleep well,” Veronica smiled. “Please come let me know if you need anything during the night.”

Then the couple moved to retire as well. As they walked back to their room, a strange silence settled over them.

Veronica had so much she wanted to say, but couldn’t seem to find a place to start, but as they made it to the place where they were going to part ways, she knew she needed to try.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to him. “Thank you for being so indulgent of my sisters tonight. I’m sure it must have been quite a change for you.”

“I… I won’t pretend it was easy. But I wanted them to feel welcome here.”

“I’m sure they have, and I mean it. Thank you. I can’t tell you how much tonight has meant to me.”

Then, before she could talk herself out of it, Veronica leaned forward, brushing her lips against the scar on his cheek before spinning on her heels and racing off to her room.