Page 23 of The Duke's Return
Though she meant to turn away, move her gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to stop looking at Julian. There was something about him.
Of course, Genevieve mused, she should know this. The man was awfully witty and devilishly charming. How often had the gossip rags found a reason to admire his blue eyes and darling golden hair? How many times had she noted his name tied to some dramatic escapade or heard someone recite some flirtatious remark of his?
When he isn’t being insufferable, the man isn’t that awful. Handsome, even, especially when he smiles.
It was quite disconcerting to consider that she might not loathe her husband after all. At least during supper, she told herself. They would worry about everything else later. Perhaps in the morning.
And those beautiful eyes of his… They lifted to meet her gaze. Genevieve blinked and forced herself to drop her eyes at last. A warm flush crept up her cheeks that she tried to ignore.
It had to be the exhaustion, she supposed, that had her thinking that all might be well.
He is still the man that everyone points at and flirts with and cheers on for his dramatic adventures. No matter what, he is still the one who married me in the morning and left me in the afternoon. A flirt, a cad, a performer. A very skilled performer.
Promising herself she wouldn’t be anyone’s fool, Genevieve reminded herself of her purpose here. She would protect her reputation and the family name. But she would not be falling into a trap.
Silken words and flirtatious smiles will not win me over tonight or ever.
So she raised from her seat, ready to take her leave. Women always left first to take themselves off to the drawing room again for tea. Back during her childhood, she hadn’t seen her parents do this, but she had attended supper parties before since her coming out, so she knew it was done. If it was only for the two at home, however, she wasn’t certain.
With the evening drawing late, it was best she leave either way.
“Oh, allow me.” Julian hastily rose from where he had been finishing off his dessert.
He hastened across the room in long strides so swiftly that she froze for a second. That gave him the chance to close the distance between them.
“It’s all right,” Genevieve said even as it was too late. “Please stay and finish, if you like. I’m afraid I’m more tired than I anticipated after our travels today. I can take myself to my rooms.”
“The night is late indeed,” he agreed. “Allow me to accompany you.”
She took a step back when he put out his arm. “That is hardly necessary. I don’t wish to take you away from finishing your meal,” she added hastily. “I didn’t mean to interrupt it.”
“What a delicious meal it was. But you’re saving me from overstuffing myself. I would be more than content to lead you to your room. After all, it is right beside mine.”
“Is it?” she asked, hoping no one heard the way her voice lifted an octave.
The man’s maddening smile widened. “Indeed. Shall we?”
Her lips parted with a protest waiting in the silence. Except she couldn’t hold onto her excuse. One glance toward the servants lingering across the room, she paused to rethink her ready reply.
She smiled. “Yes, let us take our leave. Thank you,” she added while putting her hand on his arm.
Though she tensed when he moved to pull her hand closer onto his arm, a gentle motion that had the kitchen maid sighing quietly in the corner, Genevieve managed to relax before following her husband out the doors opening for them.
While the footmen lingered behind, she could feel their gazes on her back as she walked down the hall with Julian. It felt strange to be walking. To be at his side, to be taking step after step on the countless rugs in a home that might as well be her own. All of these were normal human motions and yet she felt like a doll caught on strings, the motion pulling her along.
Genevieve realized her breath was too shallow and she cleared her throat before fixing that. Though Julian glanced her way, she didn’t turn to look at him. They walked up the grand staircase together slowly. She felt her heart lift into her throat. Did other couples act like this?
But then, Genevieve supposed, they kept going. They had established lives together. And when they reached the chamber doors, they might enter them together. She blinked rapidly as she laid eyes on the door of her chamber she had explored just a few hours prior.
Beside it was his own. She’d noted that previously but thought little of it earlier. They passed his door and took several steps before landing in front of her own, where Julian brought them to a stop. Her heart stopped beating. She hastily pulled her hand free of his arm, needing the distance. And he certainly didn’t need to know how badly her hands were sweating in her thin gloves.
Turning to face her, Julian spread his lips in a wide grin. His gaze drifted over her face and then the rest of her. As she clasped her hands tightly together, taking a small step back, he met her gaze.
“You have nothing to worry about, Duchess,” he murmured in a droll tone as he twisted his lips. “Our bed chambers may beconnected here, but I’m not in the habit of forcing myself where I’m not invited.”
She didn’t trust her voice. Instead, she gave a sharp nod. Her body felt so tight she feared one wrong move might make her break.
When Julian leaned forward, she could only flinch––and then her face heated in the low light as his hand settled on the handle so he might push the door open for her. She smelled his citrus scent for only a second before he was moving backward again.
