Page 4 of The Beast’s Unwanted Duchess (Icy Dukes #1)

"Let’s get this over with, shall we?" she heard Victor say huskily.

Victor’s husky voice rumbled beside her, sending an unexpected warmth down Alice’s spine.

She stiffened, her breath catching in her throat as she turned to glance at his outstretched hand.

His voice was deeper than she’d imagined.

It seemed to hold a certain power, and it stirred something unsettling inside her.

She couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

Her gaze flickered to his outstretched hand, and she grimaced at the sight of his scars.

Were they marks from battles fought in dark alleyways or worse?

The thought chilled her, making her stomach twist. For a brief moment, she wished she could disappear into the crowd to avoid the intimidating figure towering over her.

Impatiently, he took her hand into his rough grasp, his fingers enveloping hers with firmness that sent a jolt of unease through her.

He led her toward the center of the ballroom, and as the music began to play, he drew her close as she fought against the instinct to pull away.

Victor pulled her into the dance, his grip firm yet gentle.

She fought the urge to look up at him, afraid of what she might find in his eyes or, worse. ..what she might feel.

But as they began to move, something changed. His hold, though firm, didn’t hurt her. In fact, it made her feel...safe. She figured it was his build. How tall he was, and how broad his shoulders were.

Her cheeks flushed, the heat rising to her face as she struggled to understand how a man who seemed so dangerous, so beastly in nature, could make her feel so secure. It was unsettling and confusing.

Alice couldn’t count the number of times she had stepped on his foot, but Victor gave no outward sign of irritation, though she felt the tension in his grip tighten just slightly. She had to constantly remind herself to breathe so she didn’t pass out on the dance floor.

As soon as the dance ended, Alice curtsied stiffly and hurried away from Victor’s presence with her heart in her mouth.

She barely waited for the final note of the waltz before escaping to the edge of the ballroom, desperate for a moment to breathe.

Her body had betrayed her. She had leaned in, engulfed in the safety of his embrace and temporarily forgetting the man she married.

Her hands trembled as she made her way to the far wall before and pressed herself against it, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

"Alice," Emma whispered.

Alice opened her eyes to find Emma and Lavinia by her side. She let out a sigh of relief.

"My goodness," Emma continued, grasping her arm gently. "Are you all right?"

"You look so pale," Lavinia added. "Do you want a drink of water?"

"No." Alice shook her head. "I’m afraid I cannot hold anything down. I’m all right."

"Did you see the scars on the man?" Emma said. "He is outright terrifying. He doesn’t even look real."

"I am scared to death," Alice said, swallowing hard. "He terrifies me, and I’m not just talking about the scars. His presence... his height, the way he looks at me. It’s as if he sees right through me. I don’t know how I’m going to live like this."

"I would be scared too," Lavinia said. "I’ve been watching him since the ceremony. He has not broken a smile once. Not once has his demeanor shifted. He has the same terrifying look on his face every single time."

"Why did he even choose to marry you?" Emma asked, still stroking Alice’s arm. "Did you ask your papa?"

"I don’t know. But I think my papa’s desperation might have something to do with it," Alice said quietly, her eyes darting across the room, looking anywhere but at the Duke. "He was so eager to make the match."

"People have been talking," Emma said. "Some are saying that you’re only getting married because your reputation is completely ruined after the Earl’s stunt."

"I don’t want to think about what the ton is saying Emma," Alice said and sighed. "I hate that he scares me so much. Where did he get those scars? Did you hear anything about how he got them?"

Lavinia exhaled loudly. "I mean, given his reputation, we can imagine the worst and it might not nearly be as terrifying as the truth."

"Don’t think about that," Emma added. "Just...concentrate on other things. He might be scary looking but he is rather handsome if you give him a close look."

"Do you think I am capable of focusing on his looks right now?

" Alice snapped, her voice barely a whisper but laced with frustration.

"Do you really think it’s easy to look past the fact that his neck and arms are covered in scars?

What if I am set to leave a similar mark on him when he tries to strangle me to death in a fit of rage? "

"All right, calm down," Lavinia said to her. "He couldn’t possibly try to hurt you, Alice. I mean, you’re his wife. He has a duty to protect you."

"Lavinia, I know you’re trying to make me feel better but it’s really not helping. Let’s just talk about something else," Alice said.

"Sorry," Lavinia whispered. "I cannot even imagine how your wedding night is going to unfold."

"Unfold?" Alice asked.

Lavinia turned to her. "I mean, you know...the wedding night activities?"

Alice arched her eyebrows, confused.

"Didn’t your mama have the talk with you?" Lavinia asked.

"What talk?"

Lavinia and Emma exchanged wide-eyed glances, both at a loss for words. Alice watched them, beyond confused. It seemed as though she had missed something.

Something extremely important.