Page 31 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Madeline’s demeanor instantly shifted as she greeted the older woman cheerfully. “Lady Pemberton! The pleasure is mine. How are you finding the gathering so far?”

“Quite amusing. Many intriguing rumors are swirling about this Season, it seems,” Lady Pemberton replied conspiratorially.

Madeline’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes, you simply must share the latest gossip! I’ve been dying for something scandalous to liven up these stuffy events…”

The two eagerly delved into a discussion about the rumor mill, Madeline momentarily forgetting her previous complaints.

Seizing her chance, Victoria quietly set down her teacup and rose gracefully from her seat while Madeline was preoccupied. “You’ll have to excuse me for a few moments,” she murmured, not waiting for a response before gliding out of the room.

Once in the hallway, Victoria breathed a soft sigh of relief. The constant scrutiny and inane gossip in the drawing room had been stifling. She needed a respite to gather her thoughts, even just a brief one. Moving through the grand manor house, she made her way to the rear terrace doors that opened onto the sprawling gardens.

Stepping outside, Victoria was greeted by the tranquil ambiance of early evening. The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon, casting a warm glow on the well-manicured lawns.

Meandering slowly down the garden path, Victoria inhaled the peaceful air, willing the tension to leave her body. Being out of doors, away from the chattering guests and the pretense she was forced to maintain in their presence, felt rejuvenating.

Lost in thought, Victoria did not hear the approaching footsteps on the gravel path behind her until a voice spoke, “Lady Victoria.”

She turned to see Simon striding toward her, his tall figure silhouetted by the setting sun. Her pulse quickened involuntarily at the sight of him.

“Your Grace,” she greeted apprehensively.

“Please, there is no need for such formality when it is just the two of us,” he said gently as he drew up beside her. “Call me Simon.”

Victoria tensed slightly. Calling the Duke by his given name felt uncomfortably intimate. But she merely inclined her head in acquiescence. “As you wish… Simon.”

An awkward silence descended between them then. Victoria averted her gaze, avoiding the intensity of his stare. Ever since their arrival, conversing normally with Simon had proven… difficult. The ruse aside, his nearness never failed to put her ill at ease. There was an undercurrent between them, an unwanted but undeniable attraction that left her feeling unsettled.

But Simon seemed determined to put her at ease. “It is a lovely evening, is it not?” he remarked. “I often find that the fresh air of the gardens clears my mind after so much socializing.”

“Yes, it is quite refreshing,” Victoria answered politely, hoping he would not press her for further small talk.

Fortunately, Simon appeared sensitive to her desire for silence. For a few moments, they simply walked together down the winding path, the only sound the crunching of gravel beneath their feet.

As they rounded a hedge, arriving at a stone bench tucked into an alcove of flowering bushes, Simon paused. “Forgive me, but you seem troubled about something. I do not mean to pry, but if there is anything I can do to set your mind at ease…” he trailed off, regarding her with an earnest expression.

For a brief, mad moment, Victoria imagined confessing the truth to him. But she dared not take the risk, not when Aurora’s future hung in the balance.

“You are kind to be concerned,” she said carefully. “But I assure you, I am quite all right.”

Simon eyed her in that piercing way he had, as though trying to peer into the secrets of her soul. “Somehow, I suspect there is more weighing on your mind than you feel able to divulge,” he said gently. “I understand there are likely things you cannot or will not confide in me. But I hope, in time, you will come to see me as a friend, Lady Victoria.”

Hearing her given name on his lips sent an involuntary shiver through Victoria. She wavered, torn between her longing to unburden herself and the fear of what might happen should she let down her guard.

Sensing her indecision, Simon went on in a low, compelling tone. “In truth, there is much I wish to say to you that cannot be said in front of the others. From the moment we met, I tried to deny the connection between us, but it is undeniable.”

He moved closer as he spoke, and Victoria’s breath grew short, her heart racing treacherously.

“Simon, I don’t know what you mean…” s

He gave her a smoldering look. “I think you do. This potent attraction we share but both attempt to suppress.” Reaching up, he gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “You are an extraordinary woman, Lady Victoria. Since you arrived, I can think of little else but you.”

Victoria trembled beneath his touch, her body’s traitorous response to him warring with her rational mind’s warnings. “You should not say such things,” she managed breathlessly. “It is not proper.”

Simon’s eyes blazed. “Proper or not, it is the truth. I have never met someone who affects me the way you do. When we are together, I find I cannot resist wanting?—”

It was the distant sound of laughter carrying on the evening breeze that finally broke through the haze of desire.

Victoria pulled back sharply, flushed and trembling. What was she doing? She had allowed this to go much too far.

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