Page 11 of Wedded to the Duke of Sin (Dukes of Passion #2)

CHAPTER 11

“ S o I should feel warned?” Alice heard the breathlessness in her voice and silently cursed her traitorous heart. “And what precisely are you warning me about?”

The moonlight cast shadows over his face, making him look dangerous and impossibly handsome. His hand still lingered near her cheek, and she fought the urge to lean into his touch.

“About what happens next.” His voice had dropped to a low murmur that sent shivers down her spine. “About what I am going to do if you don’t step away right now.”

The music from the ballroom drifted through the terrace doors, reminding her of propriety, of reputation, of all the reasons this was madness.

Something flared in his eyes—triumph, desire… she couldn’t tell which. His thumb traced the line of her jaw.

“Last chance to run, sweetheart.”

“I told you not to call me?—”

His mouth caught her protest, turning it into a soft gasp of surprise. For one moment, she froze, overwhelmed by the feel of his lips on hers, the heat of his body as he pulled her closer.

Then, her hands were in his hair, and she was kissing him back with all the pent-up frustration of the past weeks. He made a sound low in his throat, deepening the kiss until she forgot everything—propriety, reputation, even her own name.

His arms tightened around her waist as he backed her against the terrace wall, hidden in the shadows. One hand slid up to cradle her head while the other pressed against the small of her back, holding her flush against him.

She should stop this. She should push him away. She should?—

“Oh! I beg your pardon!”

They jerked apart at Lady Rutherford’s scandalized gasp. She stood in the terrace doorway, her face a perfect mask of shocked disapproval.

Horror washed over Alice as she realized what they’d done. What she’d allowed to happen. Her fingers flew to her lips, which were still tingling from his kiss.

Lady Rutherford had already disappeared back inside, no doubt spreading the word of what she’d witnessed. The buzzing of gossip seemed to reach them even here.

“Alice.” Dorian reached for her, but she stepped back.

“Don’t.” Her voice shook. “This can’t… we can’t…”

“Listen to me?—”

“I have to find Thomas.” The magnitude of what she’d done hit her with full force. “Oh God, the engagement. This will ruin everything.”

She turned to flee, but his hand caught her arm. “Alice, wait.”

“Let me go.” But even now, his touch sent sparks through her blood. “Haven’t you done enough?”

“Hardly.” His voice held that dangerous edge again. “In fact, I believe I am just getting started.”

Before she could demand what he meant, he was already striding through the terrace doors, gently but firmly pulling her along.

The ballroom fell silent as they entered, dozens of eyes watching their progress across the floor.

She caught glimpses of reactions—Lady Rutherford’s pursed lips, Joanna’s wide-eyed concern, Thomas’s confusion as he held Evelyn’s hand.

Lord Treyfield stood near the punch bowl, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, as if he’d been waiting for such a scandal.

They reached the center of the room, and Dorian finally released her arm. But instead of stepping away, he turned to face the assembled crowd.

“My lords, my ladies.” His voice carried easily through the silent room. “I believe I owe you all an explanation for my behavior this evening.”

“Your Grace—” Alice started to protest, but he caught her hand, brushing his thumb across her knuckles in a gesture that made her breath catch in her throat.

“I had intended to do this properly,” he continued, his eyes never leaving her face. “Lady Alice Keswick and I are engaged to be married.”

The room erupted in gasps and whispers. Alice stared at him, her mind refusing to process what was happening.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Saving your reputation.” But something in his eyes suggested that there was more to it than that. “Unless you prefer the scandal?”

“I…” Alice glanced at Thomas, who gave her an almost imperceptible nod. “You can’t want?—”

“Can’t I?” Dorian’s voice dropped so only she could hear. “I thought I made my desire quite clear on the terrace.”

Heat flooded her cheeks at the memory. “This is madness.”

“Probably.” His smile widened slightly.

The room exploded with excited chatter.

Lady Westhaven appeared as if by magic, already discussing double weddings.

Joanna squeezed Alice’s hand as she passed by, whispering something that sounded suspiciously like “I knew it.”

But Alice barely noticed any of it. She was too caught up in the way Dorian was looking at her, as if he’d won something precious and unexpected.

Across the room, she caught sight of Lord Treyfield’s darkening expression. The look he gave Dorian spoke of threats yet to come.

But that was a worry for another time. Right now, she had apparently acquired a fiancé, scandal had been averted, and her brother was beaming at her with genuine joy.

“Well?” Dorian’s voice drew her attention back to him. “Shall we give them something else to gossip about?”

Before she could ask what he meant, he pulled her into a waltz position just as the music started again.

“You are impossibly high-handed,” she huffed as they moved around the dance floor.

“So you keep saying.” His smile held a wicked edge. “Though you seemed to enjoy it well enough on the terrace.”

She stepped deliberately on his foot, earning a low laugh that made her heart flutter.

“I suppose I’ll have to get used to this,” she said with a sigh that didn’t quite hide her smile.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled her fractionally closer than propriety allowed. “You have no idea what you’ll be getting used to.”

And looking into his eyes, Alice had a feeling that he was absolutely right.

As the dance ended, Thomas appeared at her elbow, practically vibrating with excitement.

“I must say, Your Grace,” he said with exaggerated formality, “most gentlemen seek a brother’s blessing before announcing an engagement. Though I suppose dukes follow entirely different rules.”

His eyes sparkled with mischief as he turned to Alice. “And you, dear sister. Not a word of warning? I would have dressed for the occasion had I known I’d be gaining such an illustrious brother-in-law tonight.”

“Well, um… The Duke insisted…” Alice mumbled, still trying to figure out how exactly to cover up their predicament.

Thomas grinned. “I know, I know, Sister dear. Your reformed brother knows all about love. Now, you must spare me a dance. That is if His Grace can bear to part with you?”

Dorian’s lips twitched. “I suppose I must learn to share.” He bowed over her hand, his thumb brushing her palm in a way that made her shiver. “Though not for long.”

The moment Thomas swept her into the dance, his grin threatened to split his face. “You clever girl! To think I was worried about leaving you alone after my marriage to Evelyn.”

“Thomas—”

“A duke! And here I was, feeling rather pleased about making an advantageous match.” He guided her through a spin, still beaming. “Though I should have known you’d outdo me. You always were the clever one.”

“If you’d just let me explain?—”

“No need to be modest about it. I saw how he watched you all evening.” Thomas lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Like a man who was enchanted. Though I must say, you played it very close. I had no idea you two had an understanding.”

Alice let out a slightly strangled laugh. “Neither did I.”

“And now everything’s perfectly settled!” Thomas’s eyes shone with genuine joy. “The Duke’s wealth and connections will restore our family’s position completely. Not that I doubted you’d make a fine match, but this… this is beyond all expectation.”

“Thomas, please, you don’t understand?—”

“Oh, but I do.” His expression softened. “Love changes everything, doesn’t it? Just as it has for me and Evelyn. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone, but now… well, you understand, don’t you?”

The naked happiness on his face froze the confession on the tip of her tongue. How could she tell him the truth? That her engagement stemmed from a moment of reckless passion, saved only by Dorian’s quick thinking?

“Of course,” she managed instead, watching Dorian dance with Lady Westhaven across the dance floor.

Even now, something in her thrilled at the sight of him—the confident grace of his movements, the way other dancers seemed to fade into insignificance around him.

“Mother would have been ecstatic.” Thomas’s words brought her sharply back to the present. “Both her children making such splendid matches. Though even she couldn’t have predicted a duke!”

Across the room, Alice caught Joanna’s concerned gaze. Her friend, at least, seemed less convinced by this sudden engagement.

“We must plan the ceremonies carefully,” Thomas continued, oblivious to her distraction. “Lady Westhaven suggested a double wedding. Imagine it! Though perhaps you’d prefer your own day? As a duchess, you should have?—”

“Thomas!” Alice softened her sharp tone with a smile. “Perhaps we might save these discussions for tomorrow?”

“Of course, of course.” He grinned down at her. “Though I must say, you’re taking it all very calmly. I expected more excitement about becoming a duchess.”

If he only knew. But looking at his joyful face, she couldn’t bring herself to shatter his illusions. Let him believe that this was part of some clever plan rather than a desperate attempt to salvage her reputation.

“I am simply overwhelmed,” she said softly.

“Naturally! And wait until you see Ashthorne House. They say that the ballroom alone is twice the size of this one. And the gardens! Evelyn will be wild to sketch them, I am sure. Perhaps we could all spend Christmas there? Or would that be too soon? I suppose that depends on when you plan to?—”

“Thomas.” She squeezed his hand as the music ended. “Breathe.”

He laughed, kissing her cheek. “I am babbling, aren’t I? But I am just so happy for you, Sister. For both of us. Everything’s working out perfectly.”

As Thomas headed back to Evelyn, Alice caught sight of Lord Treyfield speaking intently with Dorian near the card room doors. Something in their expressions made her skin prickle with unease.

What exactly had she agreed to? And more importantly, what secrets lay beneath this sudden transformation from rake to devoted fiancé?

But before she could follow that troubling thought, Lady Westhaven descended with an army of well-wishers, and she had no choice but to smile, nod, and pretend that this was exactly what she’d planned all along.