Page 28 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“He was most insistent; what could I do?” Veronica asked innocently.
“Indeed, I was.” The voice was deep and reached a part inside of Penelope that made her hum with pleasure. She slowly turned around to find the Duke of Kendall waiting for her.
“May I?” he said with his hand outstretched.
“You wish to dance with me?” she questioned, startled.
“If you have the energy. You are dancing nearly every dance tonight,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the floor. The moment his hand touched hers, she felt the excitement that she had been missing with every other dance partner.
Good Lord, why must the only man I am attracted to be a rake?
“I have been asked many times tonight; I do not know why,” Penelope said in response to him.
“Can’t you guess?” the Duke asked, looking down to her with a small smile. “It has something to do with the gown you are wearing. Quite beautiful, Lady Penny.”
She glowed at the compliment though she said nothing as he drew her to the floor. She glanced down at the pastel blue dress she was wearing, with a deep neckline and short sleeves, just as he placed a hand to her waist to begin the dance. He smiled the moment the violins struck the tune, and they moved together.
“Blush like that, My Lady, and my hand will want to go wandering,” he whispered to her in flirtation.
“You are a rogue,” she said in reprimand, even though she smiled too.
“You seem to love it.” He nodded his head at her smile as he turned her around under his arm. They danced together in silence for a few minutes with no other flirtation beyond the touches they were exchanging. Every touch he gave made her more breathless. His fingers within hers, the stolen brush against her arm, or even his lips coming near her ear as he whispered something in her ear…
“Come to see me tonight,” the Duke said as they circled one another, with his hand nestled in her waist.
“Tonight?” she asked in surprise, flicking her head up at him. He lowered his hand just an inch, so that it rested on the upper curve of her hip, making her gasp at the intimate touch. Such a touch was hidden by how busy the dance floor was, much to her relief.
“The first of our five nights together; what do you say?” he asked with a whisper as they circled back the other way.
“I…” She was about to come up with an excuse, something to delay the inevitable, yet as his hand left her body, she felt a sort of coldness. They linked hands with each other and another couple, turning in a circle and preventing her from answering. That coldness somehow stopped any wish she’d had before to delay the night.
As they came back together, and he took hold of her waist with one hand again, circling around one another with their sides practically pressed together, she found her answer coming easily from her lips.
“I will come tonight,” she said.
“What time?”
“Midnight?”
“Perfect,” he said softly in a whisper. The devilish smile that appeared on his features did something to her stomach, making it jolt in excitement. “I hope you are not scared of me, Lady Penelope.”
“Scared? Why would I be scared?”
“Well, apprehensive then.”
“How could I not be that?” she said as he circled around her.
“Trust me in what I said before.” He leaned down toward her, whispering in her ear. “I am eager to make sure you enjoy my company.” The words were coupled with another stolen touch to her hip.
“H-how?” she stammered.
“That you will have to wait and see.” He parted from her just as the music came to a close and bowed, urging her to curtsy again. The whole time, he maintained the connection of their eyes, holding a heated look in those silvery eyes.
I am suddenly feeling rather impatient…Cursing her own weakness for him, lusting for him, she let him take her hand and escort her back across the floor. She was making her way toward Veronica when someone else stepped in their way, stopping them from going any further.
“Adam,” Penelope said in surprise.
“Cousin, would you dance the next with me?” he asked smoothly as he glanced at the Duke.
