Page 58 of Dare to Love a Duke
Lucia opened her mouth, but before she could speak, a middle-aged male guest bore down on her.
“I was promised scenes from them naughty books,” he said with irritation. “Been here an hour, and there’s no one on that stage.”
Tom scowled at the man’s rudeness—and to see the guest direct that insolence to Lucia set his blood to boiling.
Yet her smile was placid. “Patience, sir. The performances will begin shortly.”
“When?” the man demanded. “I didn’t pay half a crown to watch amateurs fuck.”
Tension radiated up Tom’s arms and he realized he’d turned his hands into fists.
Lucia, however, showed no fear. Her expression remained placid. “My friend—”
The guest moved to grab her arm. Tom found himself standing between her and the guest, gripping his wrist. There was a roaring in his ears and he choked on the rage that clogged his throat.
“Either calm yourself,sir,” he said through bared teeth, “or you will be shown the door and barred entrance. Understand?”
Grimacing in pain, the guest wilted. “Yes. I... I understand.”
Tom released him. Barely able to manage words, he growled, “Go.”
As soon as he could, the man scurried away, losing himself in the throng.
It took a moment before Tom felt he could speak, fury making anything but inarticulate snarls impossible.
“My apologies,” he finally rumbled as he faced her. “I know full well that you are capable of seeing to your own welfare. But when he went to grab you, I...” He shook his head as if that could dispel the anger that wanted to drive his body into motion. “If you want me to leave, I’ll abide by your will.”
“I...”
They stood face-to-face, a handbreadth between them. Her eyes wide and dark, she looked at him. Seeing that vulnerability in her gaze stirred dark, primal instincts in him, instincts that demanded he protect her and hurt whoever tried to harm her.
“Girls on the street and in the bawdy houses,” she finally said in a low voice, “we looked after each other. But we were comrades in arms. It’s been years since...”
“Since...?”
She looked up at him, raw candor in her eyes. “Since anyone—especially a man—has come to my defense.”
Her spare confession shook him, down to the depths where the hulking, rough part of himself dwelt. He wanted to rip the city apart in search of anyone who’d hurt her, and tear those bastards into shreds. “You’re worth protecting.”
Protectiveness was not new to him—when it came to Maeve, he would literally kill anyone who hurt his sister. When it came to safeguarding others, he tried to stand up for them, and then, when the threat had passed, his anger would dissipate quickly. He’d once come to Blakemere’s aid when three toughs had attacked in a country pub—and thirty minutes later, bought them a round of ale as they nursed blackened eyes and bloodied noses.
Yet to bear witness to someone threatening and bullying Lucia... He could not let go of his fury. It clenched him tightly, needing release. But it wouldn’t matter if he had the opportunity to thrash that son of a bitch, his rage would continue. Because she had been hurt, because there had been times where no one had protected her. That was unacceptable, unendurable.
He’d been living a life of ease and privilege, not knowing that at the same time she’d been fighting for survival. Yet he knew that now. And from this moment forward, he swore she’d never again know suffering or injury.
He was a fuckingduke.He could make anything happen.
She pressed her lips together, and a gloss of what suspiciously looked like tears shone in her eyes, until she blinked them gone before he could reach up to brush them away. “No need to depart. Your consideration is appreciated.”
“I’m happy to pummel him into a smear on the carpet,” he added darkly.
“Not necessary.” She edged back slightly, donning that invisible mask of the Manager again, yet he could see the vulnerability beneath in the dusk of her gaze. “But I would like you to take a turn through the rooms and ask the staff if they need anything. On your way, let our muscle know about that guest and that they ought to keep a close watch on him. If he acts out again, put him on the curb.”
Much as he wanted to stay, he had to yield to her authority. He took a step, then turned back to her.
“Having you in command...” The hell with being professional with her—he’d lost that ability long ago. He felt his gaze heat. “I like it.”
Before she could answer, he strode off, once again grateful for something to do. The stage of being smitten with her was long past. Hell, if he was being honest with himself, he was already beguiled by Lucia, and it wouldn’t take much for that to tip into infatuation.
