Page 44 of If the Duke Demands

“Besides,” he reminded her as he moved toward the door, “if you need anything, I’ll be right outside.”

As he stepped into the hall, the last glimpse Sebastian caught over his shoulder was of Downing smiling fondly at her while she stared daggers after him. He smothered down his laughter but not the smile that he couldn’t prevent. After all, he felt freer to be himself tonight than he had in years. Who would have ever believed it would be because of Miranda Hodgkins?

Astonishing.

***

The second act began, but Miranda couldn’t concentrate on what was happening onstage.

They had all shifted seats inside the box, thanks to Josie’s suggestion that they rotate two chairs to give everyone a different view of the stage. That put Miranda in back next to Charles Downing and put Sebastian at the end of the front row farthest away from her.

Charles tried to lean closer and engage her in conversation, but while he was a sweet man and very attentive, he simply wasn’t able to hold her attention the way the opera did as it unfolded on the stage below them. Or the way Sebastian had with that sordid conversation he’d lured her into, the one that made her pulse race with all the scandalous images he’d put into her head of what went on in private boxes behind pulled curtains.

And especially when he’d said that she stirred his blood.

She frowned as she stared at the back of his head, his attention focused on the stage below. Of all men to pull her into such an improper conversation…Sebastian.And she’d gone willingly, titillated by the brush of his hot lips at her ear and the faint ache his warm breath tingled between her thighs. The same way he’d made her feel the night of the masquerade with his talk of dancing when what he’d truly meant was ravishment. More, in fact—because it wasn’t only a physical allure that drew her to him tonight, but also an intellectual connection. One she was beginning to suspect she’d never have with Robert.

Confusion swirled through her. She wanted to laugh at fate’s cruel sense of humor, that the brother she wanted had yet to notice her as an alluring woman while the other engaged her in flirtations that made her head spin. But none of that mattered in the end. Because Robert wanted Diana Morgan, and Sebastian wanted a duchess. And the only person who seemed to want her…

She turned her head and caught Mr. Downing smiling at her.

Forcing a demure smile back at him, she turned away.Heavens.Nothing about courting and love was as easy as it appeared from the outside.

She needed air and a few minutes reprieve to collect herself before the opera finished and she’d have to plaster on a smiling face for the carriage ride back to Audley House, when she would have to pretend that nothing was wrong and confusion wasn’t bubbling inside her. So she leaned forward and tapped Josie on the shoulder.

“I’m going to the retiring room,” she whispered.

With sisterly concern, Josie nodded. “I’ll come with you.”

“Stay and enjoy the opera,” she insisted, not wanting Josie to miss any of the production. “I’ll only be gone a moment.”

With an apologetic smile for the others, she rose from her chair and slipped from the box.

Except for attendants positioned outside the doors and one couple moving tardily back to their box, the hall was empty, and she hurried away, making her way quickly through the theater to the retiring room. She took a few minutes’ privacy there to splash cool water on her face and calm her bewildered heart. Alone in the room, sitting at the dressing table in front of the mirror, she stared grimly at herself. To think that she’d promised to inform Sebastian of all the retiring room gossip in return for his help with Robert—what a sad state their pact was now in.

By the time her breathing had returned to normal, she’d convinced herself that Sebastian hadn’t meant what he’d said about stirring her blood. That he’d only been caught up in the passion of the opera, exactly as she had been. Certainly it couldn’t have been anything else.

But when she emerged from the retiring room, the last place she wanted to go was back to the box. Not when the only thing waiting for her there was more confusion. And Mr. Downing. So she asked directions to the back of the stage from an attendant in the lobby, then hurried away.

The opera house was like a maze, but she was determined to see backstage, to watch the singers up close and marvel over the sets and costumes. Most definitely not the province of respectable ladies, but oh, she simply didn’t care! This was most likely her only chance to be backstage at an opera, and she refused to let the opportunity pass her by.

She was only fleetingly surprised that no one guarded the stage door nor tried to stop her when she slipped into the dark shadows of the wing. But then, who else would be sneaking back here but her? Taking hesitant steps, her pulse pounding like a drum in her ears, she carefully approached along the rear wall, creeping up as close to the lighted stage as she dared. The dark shadows and heavy set pieces from the first act that had been pushed aside into the wing hid her from all view. Not even the musicians playing in the pit nor the backstage hands busy with the technical elements of running the production could see her there.

It was simply amazing! In the darkness, she was free to watch the singers from only a few feet away, their voices so strong and vibrant that her chest reverberated with each note they sang. The effect was mesmerizing, and even though she knew she had only a precious few minutes’ escape from the box, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. The lamplight dazzled and the shadows thrilled, and her chest rose and fell with each musical phrase that poured from the two women on the stage. She barely remembered to breathe.

A hand touched her elbow from behind. She jumped, turning in surprise and ready to scream—

“Shh,” Sebastian warned as he stepped up behind her, touching his fingers to her lips to keep her quiet. Then he nodded toward the stage, silently giving his permission to keep watching.

With a smile of gratitude, she turned back toward the stage. Excited happiness surged through her that he’d granted her this small concession and didn’t demand she return immediately to the box. But neither did he move away, remaining close behind her. So close that she could feel the heat of his body radiating against her back.

Then he shifted even closer, and her heart pounded furiously. When he lowered his mouth to her ear as his hands lightly held her upper arms, the silly thing leapt right into her throat!

“I knew I’d find you here.” The warmth of his breath tickled across her cheek and sent tingles coursing through her.

“I couldn’t resist,” she returned in the same soft murmur. He stood so close…could he feel the way he made her heart race with just a whisper, or know how the masculine scent of him made her ache? “Haven’t you ever wanted something so much that you were helpless to resist?”

His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on her arms. But Miranda noticed. At that moment, with her senses heightened by the music swirling around them and the interplay of the lamplight and dark shadows, she noticed everything about him, every subtle shift of his body, every deep breath he drew. His nearness confused her…yet also pleased her more than she wanted to admit.