Page 25 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction (Dukes of Passion #3)

CHAPTER 25

“ I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Mr. Hatchard,” Marina said, smiling warmly at Seraphina as their carriage approached Berkeley Square. “His knowledge of French literature is remarkable.”

“He was quite taken with you as well,” Seraphina replied, adjusting the stack of books balanced on her lap. “I’ve never seen him offer anyone access to his private collection before. You must have impressed him with your literary opinions.”

Marina felt a pleasant glow of satisfaction at the compliment.

The afternoon with the Duchess of Irondale had been unexpectedly delightful—hours spent browsing Hatchard’s extensive shelves followed by tea and animated conversation. After a year of being shunned by much of society following Henry’s death, such easy acceptance felt like rain after drought.

“Will you join us for Alice’s musical evening next Tuesday?” Seraphina asked as the carriage pulled to a stop before Marina’s townhouse. “It’s a small gathering, just a few friends. Gerald says Blackmere used to be quite proficient at the pianoforte though I’ve never heard him play.”

“I didn’t know Leo played,” Marina admitted, surprised by this new information about her husband.

There seemed to be endless facets to him that she had yet to discover.

“Used to play,” Seraphina clarified. “Apparently, he hasn’t touched an instrument in years. Not since…” She trailed off and suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Well, it’s been some time.”

Marina nodded, understanding the unspoken reference to William’s disappearance.

“I would be delighted to attend Alice’s evening,” she said, steering the conversation back to safer ground.

When Marina finally descended for dinner, Leo stood waiting in the drawing room, holding a glass of wine and flipping through a small book he quickly closed upon her arrival.

“You look lovely,” he said, setting the book and glass aside as he approached. “Did you enjoy your afternoon with Seraphina?”

“Very much,” Marina replied, accepting the wine he offered. “She’s incredibly knowledgeable about literature.”

“A passion she shares with her husband,” Leo noted. “They have quite the library at Irondale Hall.”

An awkward pause followed. Marina took a sip of her wine, trying to steady her nerves.

“Henderson mentioned you wished to see me when I got home,” she finally said, meeting his gaze.

Leo gave her a small smile. “Nothing urgent. I just wanted to make sure your day was going well.”

Something in his voice hinted at more than casual interest, but before Marina could respond, Henderson appeared to announce dinner.

Throughout the meal, Marina felt Leo watching her, his gaze thoughtful and occasionally heated. The tension grew between them with every moment of silence.

It wasn’t until dessert that Leo spoke up with a question she hadn’t expected.

“Are you happy, Marina?”

She paused, setting down her spoon. “What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly that,” he said gently. “Are you happy here with our arrangement?”

The bluntness caught her off guard.

“I am content,” she said carefully. “Why do you ask?”

Leo watched her closely. “Dorian mentioned that Alice thought you seemed reserved at their gathering. I wondered if perhaps this marriage wasn’t meeting your expectations.”

Marina hesitated. Their marriage had been a practical decision, not something built on happiness.

“I am still adjusting,” she finally said. “To being a duchess, to this house…”

“To me?” Leo’s voice was lower now, intimate in a way that sent warmth through her body.

“To whatever we are now,” Marina clarified softly.

Leo leaned back, never taking his eyes off her. “And what exactly are we now, Marina?”

The question she’d been avoiding since the ball now hung openly between them.

“I am not sure anymore,” she admitted. “I thought I knew, but…”

“Something changed,” Leo finished for her. “Something neither of us expected.”

“Yes.”

Leo’s expression softened. “Maybe we should explore what this means. See where it takes us.”

The idea sent a thrill of anticipation through Marina, but caution held her back.

“And if we don’t like what we discover? What if we’re incompatible in ways we haven’t considered?”

Leo gave a gentle shrug. “Then we will adjust. I am not proposing anything drastic. I am only suggesting we stop pretending there’s no attraction between us.”

Marina took a steady breath. “And acknowledging it—what would that mean exactly?”

Leo’s smile returned, slow and assured. “That is entirely up to you, wife of mine.”

Marina hesitated, fully aware of what accepting might lead to. A week earlier, she’d have retreated to her room. But Leo’s patience had worn down her defenses, and now, she craved more.

“Yes,” she said softly, surprising them both. “I think I’d like that.”

Leo’s eyes darkened with satisfaction. As he guided her from the table, his hand lightly resting on her back, Marina caught her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back had flushed cheeks and eyes filled with anticipation—a woman ready to embrace whatever came next.

In the study, Leo poured two glasses of brandy, handing one to Marina with deliberate care to avoid touching her fingers. The restraint in the gesture, when she knew how much he desired contact, made her heart race faster.

“To new beginnings,” he said softly, raising his glass.

The warmth in his eyes made Marina’s heart race. He moved closer, his tall frame blocking out the light from the fireplace.

“Marina,” he whispered, his voice deep with need as he took her glass and placed it on the table.

He cupped her face with his hands, their breath mingling for a heartbeat before his lips found hers.

The kiss started gently—a question—but when she sighed against his mouth, something broke loose inside him.

Leo pressed her against the wall, his body hard against hers. His kiss turned hungry, demanding, and Marina matched him with equal passion. Her hands slid into his hair, pulling him closer as his tongue swept past her lips.

“You taste so good, darling,” he murmured against her neck, trailing hot kisses down to her collarbone. “I can’t get enough of you.”

His hand moved to her waist then higher, his thumb brushing the underside of her breast through her dress.

Marina gasped at the sensation. Her back arched, pressing her more firmly against him.

“Leo, please,” she whispered though she wasn’t sure what she was begging for.

His hand slid higher, palm covering her breast as his mouth returned to hers. She could feel the heat of him through her clothes, her body melting with each touch. When his thumb circled her nipple, she moaned into his mouth.

Leo’s other hand moved lower, gathering her skirts as he pressed his hips against hers.

“Say it again,” he demanded, his voice rough with desire. “Beg for it again.”

“Please,” Marina breathed, her head falling back as his lips found that sensitive spot below her ear. “Please, Leo, I want you, Leo. I want?—”

A sharp knock interrupted them. Henderson appeared at the doorway, his normally impassive face apologetic.

“Forgive me, Your Grace, but an urgent message has arrived from Lord Blytheton. He says it cannot wait until morning.”

Leo’s expression darkened briefly before he mastered it. “Very well. Bring it to me.”

The butler handed him a sealed note which Leo read quickly, his brow furrowing.

“It seems our evening must be postponed,” he said, looking up at Marina with genuine regret. “Noah has encountered some trouble that requires my immediate attention.”

Disappointment washed through Marina, mixed with a confusing hint of relief. “Of course. You must go to your friend.”

“This isn’t a reprieve, Marina,” Leo said quietly, his eyes holding hers with unmistakable intent. “Merely a postponement.”

As he escorted her to the foot of the stairs, his hand briefly captured hers. “Sleep well, Duchess. Dream of me.”

Marina climbed the stairs alone, her emotions in turmoil. The interruption had given her an unexpected chance to reconsider.

Did she truly want to take this step? To allow Leo past the careful barriers she had constructed? And if she did, could she protect her heart when her body surrendered?

These questions followed her into uneasy dreams where Leo’s hands and mouth promised pleasures her mind both craved and feared.