Page 76 of The Duke's Return
“But you enjoy them?”
His lips twisted. “I have been known to enjoy them, yes. Come, shall we take in some air?”
Turning her head to face them, she gave a sudden smile and remarked playfully, “I thought mornings were enough for us.”
“I think we could enjoy some part of every day,” Julian decided.
Then he nodded his head, directing them toward the French doors that led out to the terrace. The ball was in full swing now. At least two parties stumbled on the dance floor with so many attempting to join in the fun. And beyond them was a young man swinging around a drink, clearly intoxicated much to the amusement of his friends and the distaste of several older woman behind them.
We are never so far from London, I suppose.
Cool evening air welcomed them as they stepped out of doors. Beside him, his wife sighed audibly. Every step they took led them further from the bright lights, the crowd, and the warmth of the ball. He kept a close arm on his wife even as she shivered.
They moved away from three other parties on the landing to find their own little corner in the shadows. Once there, he shifted back a step so he could slip free of his coat. Genevieve glanced away for a minute, clearly intrigued by the gardens, before startling when his coat settled on her shoulders.
“I’m not that cold,” she objected immediately.
He raised an eyebrow but decided against saying anything. It was worth it to see the rise of another blush on her cheeks. A darker red due to the lighting, he thought it matched neatly with the lips she pressed together like she was trying to hide a smile.
That didn’t work, however, and a small tender smile revealed itself. She took a small step forward that closed the distance between them. The intoxicating scent of her overwhelmed his senses.
“Can we stay out here for the rest of the ball?” she whispered.
He chuckled before relaxing his shoulders. “It is tempting, isn’t it? It’s a beautiful evening. Something like this will never come again. I always loved that, how every night can be special so long as you let it be special.”
Licking her lips in a way that made his breath pause, Genevieve asked him, “Is tonight special, then?”
Their bodies shifted invariably when their eyes met. Heat warmed him from the inside as he gazed at her. It was a warmththat flooded every part of his body until it felt like he was entirely aflame. All he wanted was to be burned to the core.
His voice couldn’t seem to get any louder. “What else could it be?”
Inhaling, Genevieve nodded. A heady feeling rushed through him as he shifted closer, so his foot struck hers, and he felt the layers of her dress brushing against his garments. Everything fell away but for her. The entire world was Genevieve and somehow, he still wasn’t close enough.
“It’s beginning! Everyone, out here!”
Both of them startled as voices passed them by. When they turned, bright explosions burst through the sky. He grasped Genevieve’s arm when she staggered with a gasp.
What the devil?
He could hardly think. The deafening crash confounded him and though he could see the sparks in the air, they took a minute for him to understand what was happening. That they weren’t in danger and all was well.
Others were flooding out onto the terrace to see the fireworks. Any privacy they might have enjoyed here a moment ago immediately dissipated; he had to shift aside to make room, his wife clinging to him to avoid anyone stepping on their toes. The two of them turned to each other in bewilderment and it suddenly broke the tension he hadn’t realized had fallen over them.
A giggle broke free from Genevieve first, and he quickly joined in with laughter. More fireworks zoomed into the sky. Theyno longer jumped, but instead joined the crowd to enjoy the stunning display.
It made for an eventful evening. Eventually, they returned inside where Genevieve and Julian took a few turns dancing with other parties before joining the hosted supper. Whenever they were apart, he ensured he was close enough to keep an eye on her. Not because he worried for her safety but because he didn’t want to be far away from her.
This realization unsettled him even as he did his best to ignore it.
I have never needed anyone before. This lifetime is too short to feel the need to have anyone in my life. And yet this pull I feel toward her is unlike anything I have ever felt for another. It is as though I need her to breathe. Fortunate is not a word for this. I am beyond blessed, I am cursed.
Dawn was nearly breaking by the time they reached their carriage for the short ride home. Neither of them said a word. There was an energy current streaming between the two of them that could not be denied. Nor, it seemed, could it be acknowledged.
He didn’t know what he would say if he could.
Taking turns stealing glances at once another, small smiles slipped across their faces. The carriage felt toasty warm as though they sat inside a fireplace with one another. He danced his fingers on his knee, resisting the urge to go to her. To take her into his arms. Resisting her made his entire body ache.
His foot slid against hers and she stiffened, glancing his way, and then glancing down at his smile. Then Genevieve returned her gaze to looking outside until they reached home.
