Page 35 of The Duke of Fire (The Dukes of Desire #1)

“ W hy does it have to be so hard?” Amelia asked the ceiling.

She could not sleep. It was past dawn, and she knew that Octavia might have a million tasks for her to do by morning light. She needed to rest. However, her mind continued to be bothered by thoughts of Sebastian and Finch.

They were two stubborn men who were used to getting their way.

A few minutes later, though, she heard the door open and close.

She assumed her brother had entered the house.

There was no more noise. Just silence. It seemed that they had been able to settle whatever it was between them without any violence.

Days later, something more unnerving was happening in their household. She thought that because of what happened that fateful night, she would be subjected to more abuse. The opposite seemed to have happened.

Her brother, Finch Warton, had suddenly begun acting kindly.

At first, it was subtle.

One morning, he did not scold her about the merits of eating every crumb because he was spending money on her. Instead, he even buttered her toast. Even Octavia looked understandably suspicious.

When getting ready for a ball, Finch even defended her to none other than his favorite person, his wife.

“Your gown is no longer in fashion, Amelia,” Octavia said. “I swear I saw Lady Hippolyta wearing that two Seasons ago. Your little writing must not have been benefiting you as much as I thought it was.”

“You must be mistaken, Octavia. Even if it is no longer in fashion, the blue suits Amelia well.”

Octavia grumbled, while Amelia’s jaw dropped, together with her spoon splashing into her soup.

The strange changes continued to show. It was like her childhood dream come true—Finch finally treating her like a brother would a sister. He rarely raised his voice anymore and even bought her a shawl.

“It is getting chillier,” was his reason.

Amelia could not guess what spell Sebastian had cast upon Finch.

Perhaps there were threats involved, but she could not ask him because he had stopped sending her notes and invitations.

It was like he had vanished into thin air.

She could not initiate a meeting, either.

Her reputation was close to being completely damaged, and she vowed she would be more careful.

Perhaps it was for the best. Not seeing Sebastian. He was a temptation she would never be able to resist. Still, she could not sleep. Every moment was filled with thoughts of him. No matter how hard she tried, she could see his face everywhere.

Days became weeks. There were still no notes. Even when she and Serenity frequented Hyde Park or when they visited the modiste’s, or even when invited by the dowager duchess for tea, he was not there. It was like he had completely vanished.

Was it the balance of life? She could not have one happiness with the other? Now that Finch was being kind and brotherly, fate snatched Sebastian away.

One morning, while Amelia was absentmindedly watching the glass windows overlooking the gardens, Finch made an announcement.

“Amelia, I hope you have something to wear for Almack’s this Thursday.”

It looked like Finch had more surprises in store for her. She blinked at him. “Almack’s?”

“Yes,” Finch declared proudly, folding his paper carefully. “Somehow, I have managed to secure us vouchers.”

“We have vouchers,” she echoed. “How on earth did you manage that? No offense meant.”

Almack’s was exclusive, and being part of it meant you were at the pinnacle of society. Afraid of being rejected, Finch used to say he did not care much for it. Now, he was inviting her to go? The world must be ending soon.

“Gentlemen must not reveal all their secrets. But I can assure you that you will have the golden opportunity to dance at Almack’s, no less,” he said, puffing his chest a little.

“Do you really want to do this? I hope it did not cost you much,” she said, deeply concerned. She knew what their financial affairs were like, and it was far from being Almack’s-worthy.

“Yes. I would be willing to afford Almack’s for you,” he said softly.

His words should make her happy, but something was not right. She also caught something wistful in her brother’s eyes. Something that was not there before.

“Why have you not done that for me before I became heavy with your child?” Octavia screamed.

Finch did not respond. Somehow, it was confirmation that something was not quite right with him.

Almack’s was a dream. Even though Amelia had sworn she did not need anything from society, she found the light and music entrancing.

Wearing a pale pink gown, she entered the ballroom on her brother’s side. She was ecstatic to see that Serenity was there with her parents. The two friends quickly embraced and whispered excitedly, trying to catch up on all the days they had not seen each other.

“It is so beautiful here,” Amelia said, not being able to help the longing in her voice. It would have been perfect if Sebastian were there.

“Oh, it is. I am glad that Lord Warton has finally come to his senses,” Serenity said, smiling from ear to ear.

The two young women were happy to mingle. They also got invited to dances, and they danced. They laughed and smiled with their partners, but quickly moved on to the next.

Then, she saw him. He stood with other gentlemen, looking tall, elegant, and painfully handsome. Several ladies eyed him, some even inching closer, hoping to be noticed. His reputation as a rake was formidable, but it never deterred anyone. Somberly, she realized that she was one of them.

The joy and relief she felt at first glance crashed into confusion. Sebastian’s attention seemed to be wholly focused on his friends with him, and he even nodded at some ladies.

He did not look at her. Not once. There was a time when she thought he had noticed her, but his eyes went past her as if she were a mere stranger. Why was he ignoring her? Her fingers clutched her fan tightly.

“Do not gape at him,” Finch whispered his advice, moving toward her to save her. Yes, she needed saving. “Remember that we are trying to avoid a scandal. You do not want people to think that either you have not seen a man before or that you had been intimate with that one.”

That made her blush.

“I-I was merely surprised to see him here.”

“I do have another surprise for you,” Finch said, his eyes twinkling. It was very curious, and Amelia hoped she would not suddenly wake up to find her brother was back to how he was before. After all, people could not change, could they?

They weaved through the crowd, with Finch ensuring that nobody bumped her. She deeply appreciated the concern, but her pulse still raced. What was going on?

Finch stopped before a young gentleman not much older than she was. He was handsome and fair, with a reserved manner. He was like an angel to Sebastian’s devilish demeanor. He bowed respectfully, looking a little shy.

“Mr. Carlton, allow me to introduce my dear sister, Miss Amelia Warton. Amelia, Mr. Carlton.”

She curtsied, and they exchanged polite greetings.

“With the Dowager Duchess of Firaine’s kind assistance,” Finch continued, “I have met Mr. Carlton and discovered he is searching for a wife. He is seeking someone of good character, gentle disposition, and intellect. I have thought of you, Amelia, and have told him so. He has asked me for permission to court you.”

“He did what?” she asked, her mouth falling open.

Mr. Carlton immediately turned red. “If you would permit me, Miss Warton, I would deem myself fortunate.”

Why hadn’t Finch acted this way before she had ever met the Duke of Firaine? Then, her world would have been focused on the man before her. The blushing, gentle man.

But it had not. And now she was burning.

Burning with thoughts of a man who kissed like sin and whispered promises in the dark. A man who haunted her waking hours and invaded her dreams.

As she turned to her right, her gaze collided with Serenity’s. Across the distance, her friend’s eyes were full of quiet warning. Amelia knew Serenity could read her too well.

But the decision had already been made.

“You are too kind, Mr. Carlton,” she said, mustering a soft, demure smile. The sort she imagined he would like.

“Kind? No, Miss Warton,” he replied, a bit flustered. “You are gracious to even speak with me. Might I… might I have the next dance?”

For one moment, she nearly refused. Nearly ran.

She wanted to storm across the ballroom and demand answers from Sebastian—demand everything .

But that would be foolish. Reckless. Reputations shattered for far less. And right now, she had the semblance of a future: a reformed Finch, a good man standing before her. The decent path. The wise one.

She forced herself to nod. “Of course.”

He led her to the center of the ballroom, and they danced. Mr. Carlton could be some good, gentle girl’s dream. He was proper but also truly unremarkable, at least for her. She tried her best to engage in conversation, but her smiles were forced, and her heart ached.

Sebastian was nowhere to be seen for most of the dance. Near the end, he was conversing with Mr. Straton and two ladies.

After the final note faded, Serenity found her and promptly pulled her aside.

“What was that all about?” she demanded, her voice low but urgent.

“What?” Amelia asked, feigning confusion.

“That!” Serenity snapped, gesturing toward the dance floor. “That performance with Mr. Carlton. You were going through the motions. Smiling without meaning it. You think no one noticed?”

“I do not know what you are griping about.”

“You are pretending, Amelia,” Serenity said bluntly. “You are trying to convince yourself you could be happy with him. But your heart is not in it.”

Amelia’s jaw tightened. “My brother—he has changed.”

“Even if he has, he does not get to choose your heart. He does not get to rewrite your desires. That is yours alone. He can suggest, even guide, but he cannot own that part of you.”

Amelia said nothing. Her gaze drifted back toward Sebastian.

There he was—smiling, saying something that made the elegant lady beside him laugh. She was everything Amelia was not: polished, pedigreed, untouched by scandal. His equal.

He has moved on. The game is over.

That night together had meant nothing. There were no promises. No future. He had always been a rake, a wanderer. She had just been… a temporary distraction.

She could practically hear Finch’s voice in her head. ‘ Be smart, Amelia. You cannot afford to hope.’

Still, part of her could not help wondering—what had happened between Sebastian and Finch that night? Why had it ended with Finch transformed and Sebastian vanishing like a ghost?

Why did she feel more lost now than ever before?