Page 23 of The Duke's Vice

She did not.

“That would be lovely. Here. Why don’t you walk with Beatrice? I have some things I want to discuss with my maid.”

Charlotte untangled her arm from Beatrice and took a step backwards, looking at both of them expectantly.

Beatrice refused to move and the blasted man just stood there with a stupid smile on his face. He knew he had the upper hand here and Beatrice had no option but to take his offered arm.

She refused to acknowledge the thrill of excitement that rushed through her veins as her arm slipped through his.

“How are you faring this morning, Lady Beatrice” His tone was conversational.

Playing the part of polite society, Beatrice smiled and dipped her head. “I am well, Your Grace, thank you.”

“That is good to hear. I would have thought you would be in sour spirits this morning after what happened last night.”

Her eyes drifted up to his smirking face. “What do you mean? What happened last night?”

Graham kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. Casually acknowledging those who passed them.

“It was the second time you did not cross off the third item on your list. Although, you did make it to the door this time.”

Beatrice’s body stiffened next to his. “How do you know about that?”

Graham smiled, smugly. “People talk, Lady Beatrice. However, I heard you came a bit more prepared this time with a mask. Perhaps next time you’ll have the illustrious invitation that is needed for new invitees.”

He finally brought his eyes down to meet hers and she quickly dropped her eyes to the ground. Embarrassment mixed with frustration fueled her blood. She made peace with asking him for help but her stubbornness did not want her to do it now. If she asked now he would assume victory over her and she couldn’t have that.

Not that this was a game to her, but something told her that if she gave into him now, she would have a harder time resisting him later.

“It’s a learning curve, Your Grace. You will see me at one of those parties, mark my words.” Her words were delivered throughgritted teeth and a fake smile as they passed Lady Swanson and her daughter.

Graham tilted his head and gave a smile to the passing ladies. “Of that I have no doubt, mouse.”

Beatrice’s skin heated. Who would have thought the pet name “mouse” would cause her body to react? He called her that the night they met, before they knew each other as Graham and Beatrice. That night they were just the masked man and a woefully unprepared woman.

There was something deliciously scandalous about the mystery of it all. A warm sensation settled low in her stomach that made her knees wobble under her skirt.

Beatrice could feel his eyes on her. “You do seem more confident today. Perhaps one day you will feel like you fit in there. We shall see.”

Her eyes met his. “I will and we will.”

Graham’s eyes darkened. “We both know what’s on your list, so I know how inexperienced you are.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened before darting around to their surroundings. “Shh! Someone may hear you.”

Her words did nothing to deter him.

“But just how inexperienced are you?” He finished, paying no mind to her sudden distress.

She furrowed her brows. “How do you mean? I thought it was pretty clear in the description of the word ‘inexperienced.’ You saw my list. Obviously the existence of number four is proof that I’m inexperienced.”

Her insides were spinning. She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation a handful of steps away from her mother, out in public where anyone could overhear them.

Graham pulled her closer to his side as he pretended to point to a bird in a tree. To anyone else it would look like they were admiring a beautiful Cardinal in the tree. However, what he spoke ignited a spark deep within Beatrice.

“The fact that you don’t know there are many ways to enjoy the human body does prove how inexperienced you are. You don’t always need a partner.”

Graham’s eyes were set on the flittering bird, hopping from branch to branch, his stance as casual as you could get on mid-morning park.

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