Page 18 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction (Dukes of Passion #3)
CHAPTER 18
“ I must say, the new Duchess of Blackmere looks positively radiant this evening,” Lady Jersey’s carrying whisper reached Marina’s ears as she entered the opera house on Leo’s arm. “Marriage appears to agree with her, despite the rather hasty circumstances.”
Marina kept her composure though inwardly she cringed at the speculation that continued to follow their sudden union.
“Ignore them,” Caroline murmured, appearing at her side with Harold in tow. “They’re merely jealous that you’ve secured the most eligible bachelor in London.”
“Secured is hardly the word I would choose,” Marina replied quietly, conscious of Leo just ahead of them, exchanging greetings with an elderly countess. “One doesn’t secure a man like Leo Rencourt. One simply… coexists with him.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow but had no chance to respond as Leo turned back to them.
“Our box is ready,” he announced, offering his arm once more to Marina. “Shall we?”
Marina ascended the opera house’s grand staircase, feeling countless eyes on her. Her new burgundy silk gown rustled, its daring neckline a change from her previous modest style.
“You look magnificent,” Caroline whispered as they reached the first landing. “Every woman here is seething with envy.”
Marina managed a small smile. “Not every woman. I’ve overheard at least three expressing their sympathy for my being trapped with the brooding duke.”
“Fools,” Caroline scoffed. “Though I must admit, he does brood rather magnificently.”
Despite her tension, Marina found herself stifling a laugh. Leo did indeed perfect the art of brooding, particularly in the week since their marriage. Though unfailingly polite and attentive to her needs, he had maintained a careful distance—taking meals with her, escorting her when required, but otherwise retreating to his study or his club.
Their nighttime chambers remained separate, a fact for which Marina was both grateful and, confusingly, somewhat disappointed.
The box Leo had secured offered an excellent view of both the stage and the fashionable audience below.
As they settled into their seats—Marina beside Leo at the front with Caroline and Harold behind them—she caught fragments of conversation from nearby boxes.
“…the sea captain story, have you read it?”
“…entirely different from the usual tales, yet somehow more affecting…”
“…that scene where he stands on the cliffs, remembering his lost love…”
A small, satisfied smile touched Marina’s lips. Her new story, featuring the haunted sea captain searching for his missing brother, had been published anonymously through a different printer Leo had introduced her to.
Without the scandalous details of her previous books, Marina had worried no one would want to read it, but surprisingly, society seemed to love her new direction.
“Your new story is causing quite a stir,” Leo said quietly, leaning close enough that his breath brushed against her hair. “Everyone seems eager to discuss it.”
Marina glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “You shouldn’t listen to gossip, Your Grace.”
“It’s hard not to when the gossip is about my wife’s talent,” Leo replied lightly. “Besides, I’m curious about your moody sea captain.”
Before Marina could respond, Caroline leaned forward between them. “Have either of you attended the new soprano’s performance before? I’ve heard she has a remarkable range.”
“I’m afraid I have been absent from London too long to have heard her,” Leo replied smoothly. “Though everyone says she’s as talented as La Catalani.”
Harold tried to chat with Leo about the composer, but Marina could feel Leo’s attention on her instead. It made her pulse quicken—something she’d been trying to ignore all week during dinners and carriage rides.
The lights dimmed, and the orchestra started playing, giving Marina a momentary break from conversation. She forced herself to focus on the stage, but she couldn’t shake the awareness of Leo sitting close by.
When his sleeve brushed against her bare arm, she felt a small shiver run through her.
The opera’s first act passed by in a haze. Marina barely noticed the music or performers, her thoughts dominated by the man next to her—his subtle scent, the quiet rhythm of his breathing, his warmth so close to her.
As the first act ended, Leo leaned toward her, his mouth nearly touching her ear.
“I enjoyed your story,” he murmured softly. “Your sea captain searching for his brother—it’s compelling. You write passion very well.”
Her heart jumped a little. “Thank you,” she whispered back.
“I am curious,” he continued softly, his breath warm against her skin. “How do you create such vivid characters? Where does your inspiration come from?”
Marina turned slightly, meeting his gaze. “I believe I have mentioned that I don’t wish to discuss my writing process with you.”
“Of course.” Leo nodded though his eyes held a challenge. “I am merely fascinated by you, Marina. A woman with such passion burning within her yet never seeming to apply it…” He paused, studying her face. “Aren’t you envious of your heroines? Don’t you wish to experience for yourself what you so vividly describe? After all, isn’t it longing—aching for what one lacks—that drives a writer to put ink to paper?”
Leo’s closeness sent Marina’s heart racing. Even through her gown, she felt the warmth of his touch, making her pulse quicken.
She turned to him, startled by the intensity in his eyes.
For a moment, everyone around them faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in a tense silence.
“Marina? Are you all right?” Leo asked softly, his gaze steady.
She took a breath, gathering herself. “I’m fine,” she whispered.
His mouth curved slightly. “You seemed distracted.”
“It’s nothing,” she murmured, looking back toward the stage as the music resumed.
But Marina couldn’t ignore the tension humming between them. Every movement Leo made only heightened her awareness of him.
By the time the performance ended, she felt completely on edge.
And she hated how easily he had that effect on her.
Once back home, Marina gave Leo a brief ‘goodnight’ and a curtsy, ready to go upstairs to her rooms.
But Leo gently caught her elbow. “Are you avoiding me?”
She stopped and faced him, uneasy at being caught. “No. I’m just tired.”
“You’ve been avoiding me all week,” Leo said quietly, stepping closer. “Tonight, you can barely stand to sit next to me. Why?”
Marina drew a careful breath. “Because you have been acting as if you’re trying to charm me. The whispers, your touch tonight?—”
Leo laughed softly. “I am not trying to charm you, Marina. I am just being myself.”
Something in his voice made Marina pause. She studied his face in the moonlight, searching for deception and finding only an openness that drew her forward despite her better judgment.
“Leo,” she breathed, not quite sure what she intended to say.
He closed the distance between them in a single step, his hands coming up to frame her face with surprising gentleness.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured. “Tell me you don’t want this.”
Marina knew she should pull away. Knew she should maintain the careful distance that had protected her.
Yet his scent was everywhere, and with his lips so tantalizingly close…
She couldn’t bear it.
Instead, she rose on her tiptoes, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as their lips met in a kiss that immediately blazed from gentle to desperate.
Leo groaned against her mouth, and his arms wrapped around her to pull her against his body. The solid heat of him sent waves of awareness cascading through her, igniting sensations she had tried to forget.
His mouth was demanding yet responsive. When his tongue traced the seam of her lips, Marina opened to him without hesitation. A soft sound of surrender escaped her throat as he deepened the kiss.
One of his hands slid down her back to press her hips more firmly against his, leaving no doubt about the effect she had on him—his hardness up against her sent an answering heat pooling low in her belly.
Leo’s lips left hers to trail kisses along her jaw and down the column of her throat. When he found the pulse at the base of her neck and gently sucked, Marina’s knees nearly buckled.
“I’ve dreamed of this,” he murmured against her skin, his breath sending shivers across her sensitized flesh. “Of touching you again. Tasting you.”
His hand slid up to cup her breast through the fabric of her gown, his thumb brushing across the peak that had already tightened in anticipation.
The bold caress jolted Marina back to reality.
With a gasp, she pulled away, putting several feet between them as she struggled to catch her breath and regain her composure.
“No.” Marina stepped closer, her voice firm now. “I know how men like you behave. I was married to one already. I won’t be just someone you turn to when you’re bored.”
Leo’s smile faded. “You think that’s all I want?”
“Yes,” she said firmly, meeting his eyes. “I’ve already been married to someone who saw me as nothing more than convenience. I won’t be your convenient distraction.”
Before Leo could reply, Marina turned and went quickly up the stairs, leaving him standing in stunned silence behind her.