Page 92 of His Duchess' Mischief

Their ride had been quiet but charged with unspoken thoughts and feelings. Alicia did not know if it was only her who had felt the tension rise with every minute that passed.

By the end of the journey, she had begun to fan herself. She was feeling so heated beneath her gown. The Duke’s eyes had darkened, watching her without speaking.

Somehow, his silence was more arousing than if he had simply told her what he was thinking. She could see the lust in his eyes, and as they walked into the theatre, she felt as if her whole body was on fire.

Now, he was standing behind her, watching her look at the crowd, and the air between them was crackling and sparking with need.

She inhaled, turning to face him, and the heat in his eyes almost made her melt into her chair as he pulled it out for her.

Alicia expected him to sit beside her immediately. However, he remained behind her, and she shuddered as she felt his knuckles brush the nape of her neck beneath her necklace.

“Are you wearing this gown for me, Duchess?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied, unable to lie.

“I said you would look well in any color, and I am pleased to be proven correct.”

Finally, he walked around her chair and took a seat beside her. They were sitting at an angle, the corner of the box behind her and the stage laid out before them.

Alicia clutched her fan more tightly as the lights dimmed and the first strains of music began.

The stage was instantly flooded with men and women in deep red and black costumes, their voices raised to the high ceilings of the theatre, echoing from every corner.

Alicia’s whole body felt as if it were vibrating from the music, the strains of it overwhelming and dramatic at once. She stared at the women, circling and spinning in place as the primo uomo took to the stage to thunderous applause.

Her breath hitched as the Duke leaned into her, his nose brushing her cheek as he whispered in her ear, “He is one of the most famous opera singers in the world.”

Alicia’s fingers clenched as his hand touched her arm, running slowly up the length of it, his breath fanning her cheek.

“This is one of my favorite operas. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.”

“Do—do you come to the theatre often?” she asked as his other hand moved to the small of her back, sliding lower until it rested on the cushion.

“I have not been for some time, and I have never brought anyone with me. I confess it is irritating to have you with me in my box.”

Alicia looked at him sharply, but his eyes were fixed on her collarbone as his finger ran along it.

“You are such a distraction, it is a wonder I have not taken you in this chair.”

Alicia let out a shuddering breath, her body quivering with desire. But even as she felt the need rise within her, he leaned back, a small smile on his lips as he relaxed into his chair, his attention focused on the stage once more.

During the first hour of the performance, he repeated the same dance. He would touch her, caress her, his fingers brushing over her skin, and then he would retreat.

Alicia had been driven mad after ten minutes of it, and by the end of the hour, every time he brushed against her, she would shiver, unable to speak.

“My, my, Duchess,” he purred, rubbing his cheek against hers. “We are in a public place, yet I can almost hear the improper thoughts in your head.”

Alicia bit her lip, trembling as his fingers worked their way beneath her bottom, pushing her up and rubbing her through her gown in a way that made her eyes flutter shut.

“We cannot; we will be seen!”

The Duke smiled. “I am glad that that is your only concern, but I hope you know that I would never allow you to be disgraced.”

She licked her lips as, with a strength she could hardly believe, he pulled her chair away from the edge of the box and behind the curtain in the corner.

She could no longer be seen from the auditorium as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest.

The light from the stage was the only illumination as she turned to him, so eager to have his hands on her again that she could barely contain herself.

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