Page 19 of The Duchess and the Beast
He came out of nowhere. Like a specter in the twilight. One moment, Virtue was meandering through an unfamiliar corridor she didn’t recognize, wondering if she might be lost, and the next, he emerged from the shadows, directly in her path.
“Finding everything to your liking?” Sebastian asked.
“Dear heavens!” Virtue gasped, a hand to her breastbone, her heart leaping through her chest. “Where did you come from?”
The Duke stood imposingly before her, his attire a vision of dark, tailored elegance that clung to his broad shoulders and muscular form. His shirt, just about buttoned at the collar, hinted at the strength hidden beneath, while the fitted cut of his trousers outlined his powerful legs. The white domino mask on his face, far from concealing his allure, only enhanced the mysterious, irresistible charm that constantly drew Virtue in, her breath catching as a surge of unexpected desire fluttered through her belly.
“Apologies...” He grimaced and shrunk back, his large frame retreating slightly into the dimness. “I did not mean to frighten you.” She had momentarily forgotten how… imposing of stature he was. In the cramped confines of the stone hallway, no windows about, flame-lit torches their only source of light, he bore over her like a giant in a cave.
“N-no, it is quite alright.” She tried to reassure him with a soft smile. “I just didn’t expect to see you. Yet, I am pleased that I did.”
This coaxed a subtle smile from him—a half-smile that remained visible beneath his white mask. “I had intended to seek you out earlier, but... but I had some matters that required my attention.”
“That’s quite all right. Lucy and I spent the morning in the gardens, anyhow. Taking in the sights, as it is.”
“I am sorry it may not be the breathtaking sight you might have imagined. My duties leave little room for horticulture, you see.”
She offered a light chuckle. “I hardly noticed.”
The Duke tilted his head at that, as if uncertain whether or not she was jesting. “Are you perhaps… busy presently?” He lurked by the end of the hall, at least ten feet from where she was standing.
“Not at all,” she said simply, taking a step closer toward him. “Why? Did you happen to have anything in mind?”
“If you would allow it, there is something I would like to show you. I know this castle doesn’t have much in the way of entertainment or beauty, but I think there is something here you might appreciate.” Another half-smile. “In fact, I am sure of it.”
“Oh?”
He hesitated before responding. As was his way, he chose the silence to study her. She could see his eyes taking her in, his mind at work as he considered what he was about to do, or what he was about to show her. She wondered if he had spent all morning working up the courage to approach her. Or if he harbored doubts now that it wouldn’t be as interesting as he hoped.
Yet, those eyes—how they meticulously traced her form… gave her an unexpected thrill. It stirred a sense of anticipation within her, igniting her imagination about what might lay ahead. Likely, it was something benign and simple. Nothing too exciting. Perhaps something dear to him. But she felt a small sense of enticement as she considered the possibility that maybe, finally... he intended to show her thisbeastin another light.
“Follow me,” he declared abruptly in a low boom, as he then spun about and stalked down the hall, disappearing around a corner.
Virtue blinked in surprise, and then gave chase, that same small thrill working its way through her as she wondered what it was he meant to show her.
CHAPTER TEN
Sebastian felt his heart racing as he stalked the grand corridors of his home, setting a firm pace as if he were trying to outrun his beating heart. Behind, he heard the scampered footsteps of Virtue as she struggled to keep up, and where he knew he should have slowed and checked that she was nearby and had not lost him, he was so nervous with what he was about to do, a part of him almost hoped she did.
He had spent the entire morning secretly watching his wife. That was what had kept him so busy. Yearning to speak to her, not sure what he should say or how to say it, it had taken him all day to come up with this idea, and then a further hour or so to put it into action.
How much simpler things would be if he could find it within himself to dislike her. If she were just another uninspiring, insipid lady of the ton, perhaps he could manage his feelings more easily. But no, he had spent a restless night replaying their every interaction, wincing at his own harshness, yet feeling asurge of warmth every time he recalled her hopeful smile and that spirited look in her eyes.
And then there were his less-than-honorable thoughts... Beyond her captivating face lay a figure that ensnared his senses completely—the curves of her body haunted him, from her hips to her flushed skin and heaving breasts. Despite her delicate frame, there was an undeniable allure in her curves, more than enough for him to grab and hold on to and ravish… if she would so let him. Although after last night, he couldn’t imagine that she would.
It was only one night, he reminded himself—a single moment of misstep. Plenty of time to redirect and prove to her, and himself for that matter, that he was more than he appeared.
“Oh, I heard from your maid you wished for an import of some exotic Spanish tea. Just to remind you, if you ever need anything during your stay here at Greystone, all you need do is ask,” he spoke over his shoulder as he walked, his voice deep and resonant, rolling behind him down the corridor in a gentle rumble. It was only after he spoke the words into the air that he realized how they might be construed. He cringed inwardly, hoping she hadn’t heard him. It was going to take him a while to realize the depth and finality of this marriage.
“What was that?” Virtue's voice, slightly breathless from trying to keep pace, floated up to him.
He glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of her passing beneath the glow of a hanging lantern. The soft light bathed herporcelain skin in a sensual dark orange hue. “If you ever need anything, just ask,” he corrected.
“Oh.” She smiled. “Thank you. I will.”
“I worry you might grow bored here.” He picked up his pace as she tried to fall in beside him. It wasn’t on purpose, but she was walking on his right, and he hated the idea of her speaking to his masked side.
“I am sure I can find ways to entertain myself.”