Page 2 of Unraveled by the Duke (Scandalous Duchesses #1)

Lavinia looked darkly beautiful and clung to the arm of… a certain tall and savagely handsome man. Celia flushed as his eyes met hers.

“It is, Holcombe’s of Oxford Street. And I guess you took my recommendation and commissioned one of Mrs. Holcombe’s creations yourself,” Lavinia observed.

Aurelia did a twirl to show off her bejeweled, glittering dress, smiling happily.

Celia stood quietly, unable to look away from Lavinia’s companion for very long.

He seemed bored, and his eyes roamed around the room.

But every few seconds, she felt his icy gaze on her like a physical touch.

Each time it happened, a shiver would run through her that made her knees tremble and the hair on the nape of her neck stand up.

“I am Celia Frid, daughter of the Earl of Scovell,” she heard herself say.

A voice at the back of her mind shrieked at her, demanding to know what madness had possessed her.

Why should I not speak to him? I have no desire to speak to Lavinia, and he looks as bored as anything.

He looked at her, lips curved in the shadow of a smile. A cruel smile, or perhaps the beginnings of a snarl. There was something about him that was primitive and frightening. But also alluring and intensely exciting.

What would it be like to be kissed by those lips? The very idea made her face redden.

“Are you too warm?” he asked. “You seem quite flushed.”

“It is warm. So many people and candles,” Celia stammered. “I think I need some fresh air.”

“I am the Duke of Cheverton,” he introduced himself.

Celia knew the title. She had heard the gossip and rumors about this man. A rake and a gambler who had almost bankrupted his family. A cruel man, glacially cold and uncaring about anyone but himself.

She felt a thrill of fear, mixed with attraction and intrigue. This was not a man with whom she should be associating. Not a safe man to be caught in conversation with. Not a respectable man.

“Has the cat got your tongue, as they say?” he asked with a supercilious smile.

“I have not heard that expression,” Celia admitted.

“It refers to someone who does not speak.”

“Oh, you were equally quiet, I think.”

“It was not I who initiated the conversation,” the Duke pointed out.

“True,” Celia relented.

As cold as he was and as nervous as she was to be seen speaking with such a man, Celia found it preferable to enduring a conversation with Lavinia.

“And?”

“And are you enjoying your evening so far?” she asked.

She knew the comment was superficial but could not think of anything else.

“I was.”

“Implying that the status of enjoyment is in the past tense and has been ended by my presence,” Celia scoffed, provoked by his rudeness and refusing to be cowed.

“I did not say so.”

“You have not said much at all.”

“And what does that tell you?”

He was looking into her eyes, and she was both attracted and angered. His tone was arrogant and haughty. His words were rude without the veil of wit. Unabated sharpness.

“Oh, didn’t I introduce you? I am sorry. How remiss of me,” Lavinia gasped, appearing at the Duke’s side and clutching his arm tightly. “Celia, this is my betrothed.”

“We have just introduced ourselves,” the Duke said.

“Oh, but I didn’t hear you mention our engagement.” Lavinia beamed up at him. “Celia, I believe I owe you a sincere apology. You ended up exposed in order to protect my secret.”

Celia frowned. “What secret?” she asked.

“Why, your secret desire to dress as a man and frequent the back streets of the city and my—” Lavinia stopped suddenly, blinking back tears, fanning herself with her hand. Aurelia was at her side in an instant.

I had no idea they had become friends. Still, I was away from home for three months, and Aurelia could not have stayed at home with the twins all the time. She deserves to have friends her age.

“Whatever is the matter, Miss Dunnings?” Celia asked, forcing concern in her voice.

The Duke slipped his arm from that of his betrothed and stepped away from her to disappear into the crowd.

“You probably hate me, but had I not said what I said about you, the truth of my disgrace with Captain Greenwood might have come out. The man you saw me with was a vile seducer who had convinced me to elope with him. I came to my senses that day. Thank goodness!”

Celia found herself taking Lavinia’s hand and squeezing it. “I cannot pretend to be happy about being scapegoated. All the same, I would not wish anyone to be used in that manner.”

“Well, you were dressed as a man, after all,” Lavinia put in, her tears ebbing as though they had never existed.

Her eyes were sharp on Celia for a moment. Then, she was all smiles and friendliness again.

“Congratulations, Miss Dunnings. A most attentive suitor,” Celia said impulsively, noting the Duke’s apparent lack of interest.

“And to you. I understand you are marrying a grandfather,” Lavinia shot back.

“I do wish the two of you would get along. I do not wish to choose between friend and sister,” Aurelia sighed.

Lavinia was at pains to assure Aurelia that they would be friends. Celia, for her sister’s sake, echoed the sentiment.

“Miss Dunnings? How nice to meet you,” a blonde-haired man greeted suddenly, stepping up to the three women.

He was handsome and blue-eyed. Those eyes were fixed on Lavinia in such a way that Celia thought the Duke would surely object.

Lavinia did not seem pleased to see him, her eyes darting to Celia, and her lips thinning until they were white.

The man frowned, looking at Celia as though wondering who she was. Then, his eyes widened.

“Captain Greenwood, I presume?” Celia asked innocently, feeling no little sense of triumph.

I may be condemned to marry an obnoxious old man, but Lavinia, who put me in this situation, is clearly mired in an even stickier situation.