Page 34 of Her Duke Next Door
If that was not enough, the greasy man who had caused Dominique such seething ire that day in her house turned around, facing the ballroom. Hugh Yore. He watched Mary’s shoulders stiffen as he touched her arm, leaning in to talk to her.
Lady Yore’s eyes were flat as she stared out at the ballroom, no longer seeking Dominique out. But he watched as she stiffly was pulled to the dancefloor. Her back was rigid.
Forget her, Dominique told himself.You offered her protection and she refused it. Do not intervene where she has made it clear you are not wanted.
But jealousy sparked in him as Hugh Yore’s hand slid up her back as they began to dance.
The lady who had asked him to ask her to dance had long tired of his lack of response, and when he blinked, another had taken her place.
For a second, there had been something in Mary’s eyes when she had seen the women surrounding him, and he indulged himself in thinking it may have been jealousy, matching his own.
Forget her, he reminded himself once again.Forget her.
“Dominique Wallace, Duke of Livingston,” he introduced himself to the woman in front of him. She beamed.
“Your Grace, I am Miss Cosgrove, the daughter of Lord and Lady Cosgrove.”
“Would you care to dance, Miss Cosgrove?”
“I would like that greatly, Your Grace.”
With that, he took her hand, and spun her onto the dancefloor, ensuring that his back was turned to Lady Yore.
* * *
Mary was stiff as Hugh pulled her onto the dancefloor. She did not wish to dance but he was insistent, drawing her forward with a demanding hand on her back. She could feel his sweat-slicked palm against her bare shoulder blades and shuddered with disgust.
“Please let me sit this one out, Hugh,” she pleaded. “I am dizzy with champagne. I will make a fool of us both with my clumsiness.”
“Nonsense,” Hugh muttered. “It is time I show the Ton that we are courting.”
We are not doing any such thing, Mary wanted to say but could not. Not without risking her daughter. Or her own safety but that was secondary to Eloise’s life.
I hope nobody sees how he pushes me around, especially after I protested to the Duke that I can protect myself quite fine without his assistance,she thought as the music began.
She wished to be viewed as strong. As quickly as she could, she adopted that blank expression she often wore when she was married to her first husband so nobody knew how they bickered behind closed doors.
Please free me, she wished.Please let me go.
Her eyes caught on a tall, dark figure sweeping a beautiful blonde-haired woman across the dancefloor.
Forget the Duke, she chided herself.Do not think of him. Do not desire him. Do not wish that you could have taken his protection instead.
After all, she did not feel anything for him. That is what she told himself. He was arrogant and insolent and ignorant. She refused to let herself be attracted to a man like that even if hewashandsome and had kissed her breathless.
The dance sped up, and Hugh laughed as they turned faster and faster, his rancid breath hitting her breath so hard she gagged. She stumbled and he dragged her back up to his eye level. He shoved her closer to him.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Mary? Our wedding night shall be far more dizzying than this, for all the waiting you are forcing me to do. I shall tire you out quite thoroughly, so you must grow accustomed to my stamina.”
Mary fought a sickening noise and pulled back away, pretending to adjust her curls. Hugh spun her fast and the room circled around her in a blur.
“Hugh!” she called, trying to find purchase on something but he kept spinning her. Guests around them laughed, joining in with their own partners, but Mary lost all of her bearings and tripped over her own feet. Suddenly, she came to a stop, stumbling everywhere. Arms wrapped around her body, tugging her away from the dancefloor. Despite her efforts to stop her head from spinning, it persisted and she tried to protest as she was led away from the room.
She fought against Hugh’s grip, even as he manhandled her into an empty room that was washed in complete darkness. Her heartrate picked up as the music overpowered any noise she tried to make.
“Hugh—”
“Silence,” he snapped. “You have teased me far enough, Mary. Shall I take my reward now or in your chambers tonight?”
