My Dearest Duke by Kristin Vayden
Author:Kristin Vayden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2022-08-30T00:00:00+00:00
Nineteen
Rowles delayed the trip to Cambridge. Running away had never solved any problems, and currently he had more than his share of them to deal with in London. First and foremost, Joan.
Heâd tried.
Heâd kept his distance.
Heâd utterly failed.
Because the moment Joan beamed at Archby, something in his soul had snapped. Because seeing her court another was entirely different than understanding the concept of it, and all his good intentions evaporated. While sheâd danced with Archby, heâd forced himself to unclench his fists.
During every dance when she swirled away with another suitor, heâd forced a calm he didnât feel till all his patience was spent and all that was left was desperation.
So heâd asked for a waltz, praying sheâd agree.
And when heâd held her, the familiar scent of rosewater clung to her skin and erased any other thoughts. Her luminous green eyes captivated him, and heâd been powerless to look away, to do anything but drown in her gaze, drink it in, pretend for a moment that it was where he belongedâwhile in her arms.
Heâd tried to apologize, but the effort was weak even to his own ears, and the attempt had only made matters worse, which was why he followed her to the front of Almackâs. He couldnât, wouldnât let her leave when she was so clearly angry with him, and rightfully so.
Heâd taken away any choice sheâd had to choose him by taking himself from the running.
And wasnât that exactly the sort of thing theyâd talked about? Women having little say in the matter of their futures? And here, after all his spouting about the intrinsic value of a person, man or woman, heâd made such a grave error.
Heâd decided to make the choice for her.
Rather than trust her judgment.
In his efforts to be self-sacrificing, heâd overstepped and sacrificed that which wasnât his: a choice.
Heâd wanted to say so much to her, but words failed him. So instead heâd acted. He had whispered her name, a prayer and litany on his lips. When she had refused to turn, heâd stepped closer, careful and cautiousâmaking sure he wouldnât put her in a compromising position and thus take away another choice. Carefully, and so softly it was hardly a touch at all, heâd reached out and traced a light finger up her gloved hand to her elbow, his body catching fire at the innocent touch.
Sheâd turned, and in a moment, he was sure sheâd read his soulâonly to have the carriage arrive. And if the eyes were indeed a window to the soul, he was certain hers went from affection to anger in a flash.
Affection for him.
Anger for her brother.
Because in Rowlesâs unguarded moment, heâd shifted his attention to Morgan as well and nodded his understanding. Because he shouldnât be so close, and he shouldnât be following her; but Joan saw. And worse, Joan understood, if that fire in her eyes was an indication.
And so, reason number two for staying in London was to be around for Morganâs sake. Heâd likely gotten a tongue-lashing heâd not soon forget, and it was all Rowlesâs fault.
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