Page 7 of Wedded to the Duke of Sin (Dukes of Passion #2)
CHAPTER 7
“ O f all the events in London, he had to appear at this one,” Alice muttered behind her exhibition program, watching the Duke’s tall figure move through the crowded conservatory. “Surely he can’t be interested in flowers.”
“Perhaps he’s cultivating new interests,” Joanna whispered, earning herself a glare. “Though I must say, he seems more interested in cultivating your attention.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” But Alice’s cheeks flushed as the Duke’s gaze found hers across a display of exotic orchids. “I am here to ensure that Thomas does not fumble his efforts with Lady Evelyn.”
Speaking of whom—she turned to find her brother attempting to impress his intended with what appeared to be entirely fabricated botanical knowledge.
“And this particular specimen,” Thomas was saying with magnificent confidence, “is a rare purple thing. From India. Or possibly China.”
“It’s a common English violet,” Lady Evelyn corrected gently. “Though your enthusiasm is admirable.”
Thomas’s face flushed an interesting shade of crimson. “Ah. Well. The common flowers are often overlooked, aren’t they? Shows remarkable… restraint on their part.”
Alice bit back a laugh. Her rakish brother trying to sound knowledgeable about flowers was perhaps the most entertaining thing she’d witnessed all Season.
“Lady Evelyn is quite right.” The Duke’s deep voice nearly made Alice jump out of her skin. He’d somehow materialized beside their group without her noticing. “Though I am sure Lord Colton’s unique interpretation of botany has its own charm.”
“Your Grace.” She was pleased with the steadiness of her voice. “I wasn’t aware you had an interest in flowers.”
“I have many interests, Lady Alice.” His blue eyes held hers. “Some more recently acquired than others.”
“How fascinating.” She turned deliberately toward a nearby display. “Though I wouldn’t have thought flowers exotic enough to capture your attention. No dangerous allure here.”
“No?” He moved closer, ostensibly examining the same plant. “I find that danger often hides in the most innocent-looking packages. Take this specimen, for instance.” He gestured toward a delicate white bloom. “Datura. Beautiful, isn’t it? Also, quite poisonous.”
“Are you suggesting I am poisonous, Your Grace?”
“I am suggesting you are far more dangerous than you appear.”
Heat crept up her neck at his insinuation.
Before she could formulate a response, Lady Westhaven’s voice cut through the tension.
“Thomas, darling, you simply must show Evelyn the new collection of roses. They’re in the east wing, I believe.” She gave Alice a significant look. “Perhaps Your Grace would be so kind as to escort Lady Alice? We wouldn’t want anyone getting lost among the shrubbery.”
Was that a subtle reference to the palm incident? Surely not.
“It would be my pleasure.” The Duke offered Alice his arm with a smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Unless you’d prefer to study the toxic plants further?”
“I believe I’ve had quite enough of dangerous specimens for one day.”
“And yet you take my arm.”
“Only because propriety demands it.”
“Of course.” His thumb traced small circles on her gloved hand, which rested on his sleeve. “You are nothing if not proper, are you?”
“Some of us must be.”
They moved through the exhibition in silence for a moment, though Alice remained acutely aware of his warmth beside her, the subtle scent of sandalwood that clung to his coat.
“You are very quiet,” he observed as they paused before a collection of tropical plants. “No scathing remarks about my character? No clever comparisons to invasive species?”
“Would you prefer that I insulted you?”
“I would prefer you spoke your mind, as you did that night at Madame Rosa’s.”
The reference to their first meeting made her stiffen. “That was hardly my finest moment.”
“No?” His voice dropped. “I found it rather illuminating. The proper Lady Alice, braving the depths of impropriety to help her brother. It showed character.”
“It showed desperation.”
“It showed courage.” He turned to face her, and suddenly the crowded conservatory faded away. “Do you know what I thought when I first saw you that night?”
She shouldn’t ask. She absolutely shouldn’t?—
“What?”
“I thought you were the most fascinating contradiction I’d ever encountered. Still do, as a matter of fact.”
Heat bloomed in her chest. “I am not a puzzle for you to solve, Your Grace.”
“No?” He reached past her to touch one of the orchid petals, his arm brushing hers. “Then why do I find myself thinking about you at the most inconvenient moments?”
“Perhaps you need a hobby. Something less dangerous than pursuing respectable ladies.”
“But I already have several hobbies.” His smile held a wicked edge. “None quite as intriguing as watching you pretend not to notice me.”
“I don’t?—”
“You’ve glanced my way exactly seven times since entering the conservatory. Not counting our current conversation, of course.”
“You are counting my glances now?”
“Only the ones that matter.”
She opened her mouth to deliver what would have surely been a cutting retort, but movement behind the Duke caught her attention.
A man was watching them intently—the same one she’d noticed at several recent events.
The Duke must have seen something change in her expression. He turned around, his body tensing almost imperceptibly.
“Lovely exhibition, isn’t it?” The man’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Though perhaps Your Grace finds the company more engaging than the flowers.”
“Lord Treyfield.” The Duke’s voice held an edge that Alice had never heard before. “I wasn’t aware you had an interest in botany.”
“One must keep abreast of Society’s pursuits.” Lord Treyfield’s gaze slid to Alice. “Lady Alice. You are looking particularly charming today.”
The Duke shifted slightly, placing himself between them. “If you’ll excuse us, I believe Lady Alice’s brother is expecting us.”
“Of course.” Lord Treyfield’s smile widened. “Though do spare a moment for me soon, Your Grace. There are certain family concerns we really must discuss, and you seem quite intent on avoiding me at all costs.”
Alice felt the Duke’s arm go rigid beneath her hand.
Before either man could speak again, Gregory appeared as if conjured.
“There you are!” He clapped the Duke on the shoulder. “Lady Alice, might I borrow His Grace for a moment? It’s a terribly urgent matter about… horse breeding.”
She couldn’t have missed the meaningful look that passed between the men if she tried.
“Of course.” She stepped back, oddly reluctant to break contact. “I should check on Thomas anyway.”
She found her brother and Lady Evelyn by the rose garden, where Thomas was attempting to sound somewhat knowledgeable about flower varieties.
“This yellow one,” he was saying, “reminds me of the roses at Colton House. Though ours are more golden? Like sunshine through honey.”
Lady Evelyn’s face softened. “That’s rather poetic.”
“Is it?” Thomas looked startled by his own eloquence. “I mean, yes. I find flowers very inspiring.”
“Since when?” Alice couldn’t resist asking.
Thomas shot her a quelling look. “Since always, dear sister. You know how passionate I am about gardening.”
“Oh yes.” Alice smiled sweetly. “Particularly the gaming variety, as I recall.”
But she softened at the genuine warmth in Lady Evelyn’s eyes as she gazed at Thomas. Perhaps her brother wasn’t completely hopeless, after all.
“Alice.” Joanna appeared at her elbow. “Your duke just had quite an intense conversation with Lord Drakeley. They both looked rather grave.”
“He’s not my duke.”
“No? Then why are you gripping your fan like it’s about to fly off on its own?”
Alice forced her fingers to relax. “I am merely concerned about the weather. It looks like it will rain soon.”
“In that case, you won’t be interested to know that he’s heading this way again.”
Alice’s head snapped up. “What? Where?”
Joanna’s eyes danced. “I notice you are smoothing your skirts.”
Before Alice could respond, the Duke reappeared beside her. Something dark lingered in his expression, though it lightened as his eyes met hers.
“My apologies for the interruption.” He offered her his arm once more. “Shall we continue our tour? I believe there’s a fascinating specimen of Venus flytrap ahead.”
“Another dangerous beauty?” Alice couldn’t resist asking.
His smile held something almost wistful. “The most dangerous kind.”
As they moved deeper into the conservatory, Alice couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something important.
The Duke’s encounter with Lord Treyfield, the shadows that occasionally darkened his expression, his urgent conversation with Lord Drakeley—it all spoke of secrets she didn’t understand.
But when his hand covered hers where it rested on his arm, she found it increasingly difficult to care about anything beyond the warmth of his touch and the way her heart seemed to skip a beat every time he looked at her.
Heaven help her, but she was beginning to understand exactly what made the Duke of Ashthorne so dangerous.