Page 54 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
He held her gaze, nodding deeply.
“I do not know if I can stand it a moment longer,” she whispered.
“And you will not.”
“You cannot promise such a thing.”
“Which is why I am not promising,” he countered. “The only thing I can do is swear to protect you, no matter what.”
“And we will leave, should anything happen?”
“If that is what you wish but, Madeleine, remember what I told you last week. You are like a fine wine—bold. I wish to see that boldness come out in you. You are the Duchess of Silverton now, not a shamed lady whose husband ignored and mistreated her. You are not in old dresses anymore—you are in new, expensive gowns. Allow me to bolster your courage, if that is what you need.”
His words sunk in—he watched her slowly consider it before she finally nodded. She had always resisted him. How could he expect any different? He adored finding new ways to convince her of something, to make her see.
“All right,” she murmured. “I will go.”
“Excellent.”
In a moment of tenderness, he pressed his lips to her knuckles.
At the ball three days later, Madeleine had still not composed her nerves properly.
She stood beside Alexander as they entered the ballroom of the new Lord Hartford.
“The Duke and Duchess of Silverton,” they were announced, and all eyes turned to them. Madeleine’s stomach swooped.
That evening, Emily had bejeweled her in silver to match her glimmering dress, and to match Alexander’s cravat.
The weight of everybody’s eyes fell on her shoulders, forcing her smaller.
Gripping Alexander’s arm, fully aware of how she appeared, Madeleine forced herself to move but she struggled.
Alexander brushed his mouth over her ear.
“Your gowns are armor,” he told her. “Your jewels are weapons. Let them be your defenses against everybody. You are beautiful, Madeleine, and you shine tonight.”
She nodded, the movement barely visible, but let her husband guide her deeper into the ballroom. Her intrusive thoughtscrowded her—that a disgraced woman such as she was ruining a powerful, well-respected man. Even if they respected Alexander’s authority, she could not help that she was destroying him along with her.
But his presence at her side was comforting. He had chosen to keep her beside him.
I should trust that.
“Our hosts are right over there,” he told her, nodding to the far corner, where a couple laughed, clutching their wine glasses, speaking with another couple. “We shall greet them.”
He brought her closer, and Madeleine’s palms sweated beneath her gloves.
“Lord and Lady Hartford,” Alexander greeted, gaining their attention. The couple they had been speaking to quickly took one look at Madeleine, and slunk away. “How lovely of you to invite us tonight. The ballroom looks spectacular.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lord Hartford said. “It is an honor to have the Duke of Silverton present here tonight.” His sharp gaze slid to Madeleine. “Duchess.”
His greeting to her was clipped, reluctant but polite.
“Lord Hartford,” she answered. “Lady Hartford. Your ball is stunning. I am sure that it will be a testament to your impression made here.”
“Undoubtedly,” Lady Hartford muttered, turning her nose up at Madeleine.
“Lord and Lady Hartford, I will remind you that Madeleine is my Duchess, and she is to be treated with the same respect as me. If you cannot do that, then we will excuse ourselves, and you may explain why the Duke of Silverton found your ball unfit enough to leave.”
