Page 24 of A Gamble with the Rakish Duke
She swallowed hard, every pulse of heat in her veins betraying her desire. But she couldn’t give in. Not yet.
Oliver placed her book in her hands. Then, he walked away, leaving her standing there, trying to catch her breath. A strangenew sensation came over her—a throbbing between her legs and a flutter in her chest.
She forced herself to move, wondering why she let him pull her that close. Physically. Emotionally.
It was far too inconvenient for this marriage of convenience.
Chapter Ten
“Iwill come with you to the opera,” Oliver declared as he entered the Duchess’ chambers. “Might as well, as I am now dressed for it.”
He vowed to give his wife some space. He needed to be away from her, anyway. However, he found it difficult to do so when he discovered her plans to attend the opera.
He saw her deep frown and Ellen’s confused expression in the mirror in front of them.
Indeed, he was dressed up, his black tailcoat hanging over his breeches comfortably.
Alexandra ran her eyes over his clothes, from his cravat to his shoes. Then, she looked back at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a purple evening gown with an empire waist and gloves that covered her arms.
“You do not have to, Your Grace,” she said calmly, although there was nothing calm about the expression on her face.
“But I will. Ellen, open the drawer in front of you—you’ll find the amethyst and diamond necklace there. Put it around your mistress’s neck. It will look wonderful with her gown.”
The maid quickly complied. She seemed delighted to put such beautiful and expensive jewelry on Alexandra.
“Just because you’ve gifted me this jewelry, as beautiful as it is, doesn’t mean you have to accompany me, Your Grace,” Alexandra said, but she seemed distracted with the amethyst heart pendant.
She traced it with her fingers as if hypnotized by it.
“It is another opportunity for us to be seen together in public, Duchess. I want people to know you are my wife.”
“Ellen, please leave us.” Alexandra’s voice had become weary.
“Yes, Your Grace,” the maid said and scurried away, closing the door behind her.
Alexandra turned to face her husband. “We will attend the opera together, but remember that eventually, I will back to the countryside. All that we have are lies, and I cannot keep on lying.”
“All?”
“Perhaps not all. You have proven to be more decent than I thought you to be. You’ve given me everything I could ever need. However, we cannot get past the real purpose of our marriage.”
Oliver frowned. It seemed as thoughshecould not get past it.
It had been a while since Oliver had been to the opera. The times he had gone, it was often with his sister Catherine and her husband Thomas.
When they arrived at the opera house, he immediately spotted the other couple.
“Oh, finally! I thought you were planning to hide your wife forever, Oliver,” Catherine teased, playfully pointing her floral fan at her brother.
“Good evening, Sister. Newden,” Oliver greeted, ignoring her comment.
With these public appearances, Oliver found an excuse to tuck Alexandra’s hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Ignore your sister, Oliver. She is simply curious about you two,” Thomas explained with a smile.
Oliver wondered how quickly word of his outing with Alexandra had spread.
“I understand, Newden. Remember that I knew your wife for several years before you met her,” he replied teasingly.
