Page 47 of The Darkness Within Us

Argus’s eyebrows lift. “You’re sure?”

“Quite.”

“We’ll be just outside, should you need us.”

Dyson offers me a wink as he strides past. I hear the door close behind the two men after they exit.

I don’t like this. It feels as though they’re guarding the door, should I wish to run. Why does my heart start picking up its rhythm again? This is Eryx. Man-child. Impostor duke. I am the one in control here. Who cares if he called me the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen?

Eryx says nothing for the longest moment, and I cannot bear the silence.

“Well?” I ask.

“I wish to apologize for yesterday. I thought we were being playful, but I clearly crossed some line with you, and if you tell me what it was, I promise it won’t happen again.”

I roll my eyes. “What do you want from me now?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re trying to be polite, so what do you want?”

“Nothing. I wish only to figure out what went wrong so that our lessons might continue without any strain. You’ve been hiding from me today, so I assume the offense was grave.”

Those intense amber eyes rise to my vision, and I try to think of an answer. Any answer that makes sense other thanI was distracted by your physique, and I’m avoiding you so it doesn’t happen again.

Finally, I manage, “Gentlemen do not touch ladies without permission.” Unless, of course, they’re married to them. Then they can do as they please, according to the law. I wonder if Alessandra has plans to change that one.

“It was because I touched you?” he asks.

“You took things too far. That tumble on the ground was entirely inappropriate.” Actually, itwas. It’s his fault we’re in this mess.

“You pulled me to the ground, you will recall.”

“You lingered far too long. No matter howmesmerizingyou find my eyes, I expect you to behave like a gentleman.”

His jaw tightens. “Iama gentleman, despite being out of practice. I assure you I meant no harm, Duchess. What happened yesterday shan’t happen again. I am deeply sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable.”

“You will forgive me if I don’t take you at your word. I’ve never met an honest man, and I certainly don’t expect a con artist to be one.” Why am I arguing with him now? Just accept his apology and move on!

He sighs, yet his voice remains calm for once. “Think of me however you would like, but I assure you, I am not my grandfather. I’m aware of the kind of man he was.” He pauses for a long moment before asking, “Duchess, did he hurt you? Is that why yesterday frightened you so? Did he—”

I put a stop to that immediately. “Let’s get something clear, Eryx. We are not friends. We do not have discussions like this. You’re trying to kick me out of my home. You’re trying to take everything that should be mine. The private occurrences that went on in my marriage are none of your concern, and you don’t get to ask about them.”

“You say we are not friends, yet you call me by my given name,” he says, his tone soft.

And I nigh explode. “I do not recognize you as the duke, so I will not address you as such or any other honorifics attached to it. I will not call you Pholios, because that is the name of the man who—” I cut off, remembering myself. “I suppose I could call you by your surname, but since it is also my surname, it feels strange. Perhaps I should dispense with any names at all and call you by that which I think only in my thoughts.”

He grins, as though he finds my last statement amusing. “If you’re to call me Eryx, then might I call you Chrysantha? It’s only fair.”

Fair? Fair! Men donotget to utter that word in a world that favors them in every single space of life.

“You will not call on me at all unless it is to uphold the terms of our agreement.”

Eryx shuts his eyes before slowly opening them again. “Very well. Let me assure you I will not touch you again unless permission is given.”

“Oh, it shan’t be given.”

“No? Then how are you to teach me to dance?”

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