Page 58 of Claimed By Her Forbidden Duke
The fabric that he had picked up and handed to the dressmaker now fell over Penelope’s skin, her curves encased in the gown in a way that did not look as suffocating as her other gowns. Instead, it was Edmund who felt short of breath.
His eyes trailed her as she greeted Arabella. From the fall of her hair in perfect, pretty waves, to her bright eyes that caught the light of the chandeliers, rendering her an almost angelic beauty. The candlelight behind her cast a halo around her, and Edmund swallowed a mouthful of his wine, finishing the glass to chase away the heat.
He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.
Not when the dress brushed her skin in a way that left very little to the imagination. Her chest was full and heavy, cupped by the delicate neckline.
Heavens…
Edmund tried desperately to tamp down the need that built within him. He could not let himself grow aroused here, but he couldn’t help the effect Penelope had on him.
His thoughts raced with the fantasy of unraveling her with his mouth right there on the dance floor, to show everybody how desirable she was—not a spinster, as they claimed her to be. No, Penelope was alluring, a woman who bewitched him in every possible way.
The noise she had made beneath his mercy on the balcony resounded in his head, and he knew he’d do terrible, terrible things to ensure that he heard it again.
He wanted her. He achedfiercely, only to be interrupted by her brother.
If anything could douse his desire, it was the sight of the man who turned his anger on the men who wanted Penelope.
“Blackstone,” Finley greeted. “You look parched.”
I am.
Edmund then wondered when he had become such a desperate man, reduced to distraction and need over one woman.
Before Edmund could answer properly, Finley reached for two glasses as a server passed by with a tray, offering more wine. The feel of cold glass pressed into his palm jolted Edmund back into reality, well and truly. He had to resist his need for Penelope—he couldn’t let himself forget the warnings that the ton was abuzz with. Finley would have his head for even looking too hard at Penelope if Edmund wasn’t careful enough to hide his attraction.
No, he couldn’t cause a rift between himself and an old friend. He respected the Marquess, even if he didn’t respect how the man treated his sister, but he hoped that Finley would learn from some stern remarks and witnessing how Edmund was with Arabella.
“Thank you,” he said belatedly.
“I see Lady Arabella is fitting in well,” Finley noted, nodding towards where the five ladies stood together across the ballroom, near the open terrace doors. “Although, a word of advice. Some of those ladies are not the best influence if you are trying to keep your sister on a good path to being the perfect lady.”
Edmund bit back a scoff. “I do not need her to be good or perfect,” he told him. “I am simply glad to be around her. It is her choice what sort of lady she becomes. She knows the risks and dangers. I have taught her, as did my cousin.”
“Yes, but?—”
Edmund shook his head. “No buts. Not for me, Langwaite. I am content to let Arabella choose her friends and companions, within reason.”
Finley’s eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Edmund beat him to it.
“Besides, if those friends are good enough for Lady Penelope, then they are good enough for my sister, too.” He set his unfinished wine on another passing tray and nodded to Finley. “Excuse me.”
He didn’t want to turn his back on an old friend, but he also refused to be lectured on how to be his sister’s guardian. Finley shouldn’t control his sister’s friendship group, and Edmund had no interest in doing the same with his sister.
“Your Grace,” a man called out.
Edmund immediately recognized him as Lord Graham. He bit back an exasperated sigh. He truly did loathe these events, for nobody ever left him alone.
“Forgive me for approaching you, but I wished to speak with you. I did not make a good impression during our introduction, but I would like to make you aware that I intend to call on Lady Arabella. That is if you approve of a visit.”
Edmund’s refusal was already on the tip of his tongue, but he held it back for another moment. Instead, he stopped and considered Arabella’s upset over how he had behaved with this suitor last time. He thought of Finley and how he wanted Arabella to be guided but ultimately make her own choice.
“You did not make a good impression, no,” Edmund acknowledged. “However, you seem to be persistent, and if I did not scare you off last time, then you have more mettle than I thought. When do you intend to call on her?”
“As soon as you allow it, Your Grace.”
Edmund had work to do, and he had to prioritize that, but there was something he could offer his sister.
