Page 34 of Duke of the Sun

Cordelia laughed. “Am I that readable?”

“No,” he replied. “But you are failing to hide it well now.”

“You might call me by my name,” she said. “And I might call you by yours.”

His brow shot up. “How does that affect the Ton?”

“It shows familiarity, your Grace. Do you truly believe that happily married couples do not know each other by name?”

“Knowing and using are two different things.”

“Exactly.”

The Duke narrowed his eyes again.

“Go on,” she said.

“Now?”

“We might as well practice.”

The Duke opened his mouth before shutting it quickly. For a moment he only stared, his head tilting ever so slightly. “Cordelia.”

She exhaled sharply. In all honesty, Cordelia never expected him to do it. She merely teased, pushing his buttons before she needed to act like a doting wife. When he managed to do it, she was frozen, becoming more and more aware of how much closer they were approaching the ball. Now, as he watched her, she could see the pride swirling in his eyes. As much as she didn’t expect him to do it, he did not believe she could either.

Cordelia gathered herself, raising her chin. “Michael.”

The compartment grew heavy with tension. They merely stared at one another, and Cordelia soon felt her ailment return to her. Beneath her chest, her heartbeat rammed against her, as if it was desperate to be free of her. She swallowed, as if it could stop the feeling from capsizing her.

Neither one of them spoke a word for the rest of the ride. Once the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the house in London, Cordelia drew in a deep breath.

“Are you well?”

She looked up at him. “Why?”

“You are pale.”

“Fresh air will do me good,” she muttered.

The Duke tilted his head again. “Your beauty is unbelievable,” he muttered.

Cordelia’s head shot up, but the carriage door had already popped open, and the Duke was not waiting another moment to enter the evening air. Noise from the already started ball and guests pooling in from other carriages filled the compartment. Cordelia was stunned into stillness, the words he spoke hanging in the air all around her. How could she be expected to act as if she hadn’t heard it, as if the Duke had always offered her a kind word or a delightful compliment?

The Duke’s hand slipped into the carriage.

She reached, hesitating for a split second before placing her gloved hand in his own.

Instead of pulling away, the feeling that surged through Cordelia was nothing short of confident adrenaline. It was as if she was alive again, rejuvenated and ready to stand before the people who thought to judge her, undermine her. Cordelia glimmered as she stepped out of the carriage. The courses of couples heading towards the Manor’s opened doors stepped aside when they noticed Cordelia walking by, paying special attention to the man beside her. They walked in unicent, neither one of them daring to lower their gazes or chins.

The Manor was a beautiful one, and Cordelia felt the slightest bit of shame for not knowing whose home they entered. The Duke handled the invitation himself, making sure to reply for the both of them. She felt careless enough for never thinking to ask. The halls were already filled with guests. They resided in the foyer before slipping into wide drawing rooms and great parlours. After twisting around a few corners was a grand ballroom, where couples gathered and waited for the orchestra to begin playing.

Cordelia glanced around. The guests eyed her husband silently, not one of them daring to utter a word. They stepped out of the way, casted their stares in the opposite direction when he happened to turn in their direction.It’s like the rumors never existed.

“Why are you smiling?”

She looked over to see the Duke watching her closely. He frowned like she had taken ill in his arms. “I don’t suppose anyone here would dare to mention a word about those pesky rumors.”

The Duke huffed. “I would hope not.”

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