Page 79 of How Not to Marry a Duke

His gaze dropped to her mouth and his skin grew tight and hot. Did she realize how she affected him? “You were quite loud. Besides, she is smart enough to know her machinations worked, and she shouldn’t feel the need to stage another.”

A beautiful flush crept over her cheeks. “What will you tell her?”

“Nothing. I will leave all to her imagination. Meanwhile, you should know that I’m escorting you, my godmother, and Mary to a party tomorrow.”

“I hadn’t heard. I’m not sure Mary will attend.”

“She already confirmed with my godmother.”

“I’m surprised and grateful.” She reached up to give him a quick kiss.

Her lips were whisper soft against his, and she looked at him like she wanted him to kiss her again. What he wouldn’t give to stay in bed with her in his arms. To make slow, satisfying love to her. To possess her and mark her as his own.

His own.

God, what was he thinking? That wasn’t part of their arrangement, none of this was. She was a virgin, and it wasn’t fair to her. One day she would find the man of her dreams, a man who loved and adored her—a man she loved in return. That was what she wanted, had always wanted. He couldn’t give her that. A strange sense of disappointment hammered at the thought. He shoved it aside and rose first.

“Let me help you with your dress.” It took several attempts with the tiny buttons. For a man who could fine-tune an engine with ease, his fingers felt like sausages.

“Thank you.” She turned and made an attempt to smooth her hair.

If she knew his thoughts, she shouldn’t thank him, but run. His gaze traveled over her from head to toe, drinking her in. Disheveled hair. Swollen lips. Heavy-lidded eyes. She looked like a fallen woman, completely different from her normal appearance. Warwick’s woman. Rather than be shocked, the selfish part of him rather liked it.

Chapter Fourteen

“Thank you for escorting me to Lady Trehorn’s party, Your Grace,” Mary said as she looked up at the duke. “My brother, Lord Foster, could not attend.”

“It is my pleasure. Besides, I’ve wanted to get better acquainted. Lady Adeline speaks highly of you,” Warwick said.

Adeline watched the pair as they waited in line to greet their hostess, Lady Trehorn.

Mary’s gaze scanned the mingling guests. “This gathering is a refreshing change from the other events this Season.”

The party was a guise for an art viewing where a hundred guests had been invited to see the new statue of the hostess’s late husband, Lord Trehorn. A large cloth was draped over the statue in the center of the large garden. The white cloth billowed in a slight breeze and reminded Adeline of a ghost.

Mary must have thought the same. “It looks like the late lordship is present in spirit.”

“It is disconcerting,” Adeline agreed.

Their hostess was a ridiculously wealthy widow and Warwick’s godmother’s close friend. Lady Heywood waved from the refreshment table where she was speaking with a group of ladies.

The guests were an interesting mix of titled and gentry. One didn’t need a title to secure an invitation to one of Lady Trehorn’s parties.

“Lady Trehorn is known to be a bit different. It’s no wonder my godmother is friends with her,” Warwick said.

Mary smiled. “Then our hostess is someone I’d like as well.”

Adeline let out a breath of relief at her sister’s lightened mood. Mary had been despondent ever since the experience at the publisher’s office. To see her sister smile, even a small smile, lit Adeline’s heart.

“I see Miss Hart,” Mary said. “We both had the same pianoforte instructor and we met at a recital years ago.”

“Go ahead and say hello,” Adeline urged.

Adeline waited until Mary was out of hearing before giving Warwick a sidelong glance. She’d relived memories of their heated encounter in her bedchamber in her dreams. She’d experienced passion in his arms. He hadn’t been unaffected, either, and she’d never forget the fire that had heated his green gaze. Awareness thundered through her, hot and unwelcome. She couldn’t think of that now. Not here.

She gave a slight tug on Warwick’s sleeve to gain his attention. “Why are we really here?”

The corner of his lips tilted, and he lowered his head. “Whatever do you mean?”