Page 80 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
Lucien just rolled his eyes and returned his focus to the dance floor. His cousin, a man whom he had tried not to mention when in Edwina’s company, was leadinghisDuchess in a dance, and though it was no waltz, the two stood close enough that Lucien could not stop his blood from boiling.
Edwina’s eyes were bright as she laughed, her head tipped backward. He recognized that laugh—barely. How many times had he made her laugh that heartily?
Jealousy, ugly and green, coiled in his chest. Allan had no right. He had not been informed of their wedding for a reason—he knew about Lucien’s past, and he knew why Lucien stayed away.
Jaw clenched, Lucien held himself still, biding his time until the dance was over lest he causea bigger scene. This was the first ball Edwina had attended in a long time, and part of him was determined not to ruin it for her. But how could she laugh so easily with his cousin and not with him—her own husband?
He seethed as he watched her, for she did not even catch his eye once when she was spun around the dance floor.
“When did Allan become such a good dancer?” Jasper taunted. “Edwina looks as though she’s having a good time. Speaking of, did you take my advice and spend more time with your lonely wife?”
Lucien closed his eyes briefly, restraining himself. He was only being goaded to react, so Jasper could feel good about himself. Second by second, he waited for the dance to end. As soon as itdid, he stalked over to the couple before Allan could lead Edwina off the dance floor.
“Cousin!” Allan exclaimed. “There you are. We were about to look for you.”
“A shame,” Lucien said curtly, “as my wife and I must leave.”
“We must?” Edwina asked, furrowing her delicate brow. “But we?—”
“Yes.” Lucien did not stop glaring at his cousin. “Immediately.”
“But my father and Rose would love to meet your new wife,” Allan insisted, irking him further.
Rage rose inside Lucien, thrumming beneath his skin, tightening so hard that he feared it would snap right there, in front of everyone.
“After all, Edwina is part of our family.”
“Her Graceismywife,” Lucien hissed. “And we shall return to our home.”
Allan blinked, taken aback, and it only infuriated Lucien more, for his cousin got to look so clueless, a helpless thing that had done very little wrong.
Without another word, Lucien tugged Edwina out of the ballroom and did not stop until he slammed the door of their carriage shut behind them.
“Why on earth are you acting so terribly?” Edwina cried. “Must you always act so-so?—”
“I tire of inane conversations for the night, but by all means, do say what you wish to say, Edwina.”
“So territorial! As if you have a claim on me.”
Lucien leaned forward. “It was you who told me exactly such a thing, no?”
Her eyes searched his face. “You are jealous. You are jealous of one silly, little dance I had with another man—your cousin, no less—when I am married toyou.”
“Exactly,” he growled.
Edwina blinked, as though not expecting him to admit his jealousy.
“Of course, I am jealous. No one should touch you, Edwina.No one. You are mine.”
“I am not your possession,” she whispered, her voice firm. “You may claim me, but you may not possess?—”
“Shall I remind you whose name you were screaming the other night?”
His question came out in a rough snarl as he moved into her space, letting her feel the full intensity of his presence. The wide shoulders that he knew caught her eye and made her feel smaller in a way he thought she liked.
And—yes,there it was. That flicker of desire and fear.
“You are foolish,” she scoffed, trying to sound nonchalant, but her voice quivered slightly. “May I not dance with anybody else ever again?”
