Page 23 of Loved by a Dangerous Duke

“A month?” The two words sounded strangled to her ears.

Was that long enough to get to know him? To feel comfortable sharing intimacies with him?

Feeling oddly shy, she peeked up at Stanford through her eyelashes. Their kiss had been astonishingly pleasant. At least for her. She presumed from his husky voice and reluctance to end the kiss that it had been for him as well.

“Can we discuss it again in a month if I’m still not ready?” she persisted, rather astonished at her tenacity.

Maxwell strode into the drawing room, her beaming sister on his arm. From Gabriella’s flushed face and the masculine satisfaction in Maxwell’s eyes, they’d done more than venture to the kitchen.

“Yes,” Stanford said beneath his breath before facing them.

Ophelia squeezed the fingers of the hand lying on his thigh.

“Thank you,” she murmured for his ears alone.

His answering, smoldering smile could’ve melted iron.

Ophelia skillfully avoided any awkward questions from her sister and Maxwell by holding up her hand and showing off the betrothal ring.

“Isn’t it lovely?” Ophelia angled her hand to better catch the light. “Thank you for helping Stanford by telling him my favorite color and gemstone.”

“Oh, it is beautiful.” Gabriella took Ophelia’s hand in hers to examine the ring closely. “Don’t give me any credit. Asherford made the inquiry. He wanted to please you.”

Gabriella gave Stanford a warm smile that clearly conveyed how much that meant to her.

Reeves entered carrying a tea service, followed by a pair of footmen bearing additional teapots and cups. Three maids brought up the rear with trays of dainties, sandwiches, sweetmeats, and cakes. The small betrothal party wasn’t to be so very small after all.

Was that to put rumors to rest?

Likely. Not that the most devout gossips would stop wagging their malicious tongues.

The servants went about setting up the room for the guests that would arrive any minute. The adjoining music room double doors were opened to allow for more guests, and additional chairs had already been brought into both rooms.

Just how many close friends had Gabriella invited, anyway?

Ophelia’s twin must’ve sensed her reticence because she offered a sympathetic smile. “It’s what needs done, darling.”

“I know,” Ophelia replied.

She did know, and usually, she relished large gatherings.

Most of their friends from her hometown of Colchester were in London for the Season, including Ophelia’s dearest newlywed friend Jessica Rolston, the Duchess of Bainbridge. Jessica had recently returned from her honeymoon.

Ophelia couldn’t wait to see her. She’d married under the shadow of a scandal too. But Jessica had secretly been in love with Crispin, Duke of Bainbridge.

Ophelia was not in love with Stanford.