Page 25 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
“You were?” William said again, that incredulous look creeping into his eyes.
She had caught him off guard twice, Joane could tell with the amount of surprise in his eyes. She was pleased that she could do that to him.
“Of course I was. You are the one who got into a duel with my father. Don’t you expect that I would be interested in knowing such a man?” Joane replied.
“Your father is a better swordsman than his reputation indicates,” William answered.
“Not as good as you though, your mastery is legendary,” Joane replied, looking at William directly in his eyes.
Joane knew William would be displeased about the result of his lost duel.
But how angry are you?
“I lost to your father. On that day, he was the better swordsman,” William replied.
He returned her gaze with incredible intensity but without any emotion. She tried reading his eyes but she got nothing. They reflected no inner thought.
“They are done,” William said, his eyes had strayed to the dancing couple behind her.
Joane turned back to face the Viscount and his wife who were curtseying to signify the end of their dance. There was applause from the remaining couples who started going the dance floor. Joane saw William stretch his right hand to take hers; his other hand pointed to the center of the hall.
“Would you spare me one dance, my fair lady?” William asked her.
He lowered the hand he held out to her and bowed stiffly. Joane was amused by his gesture and raised her fan to her face to prevent William from seeing her reaction. William did not react to that and only took the hand she offered him before leading her to the centre of the hall.
He was a great dancer, twirling and moving his feet deftly to the tune of the calm music. Joanna wanted to speak but she preferred William to start up the conversation. Her eyes strayed to his face, she found herself impressed by the cut of his facial features.
The rumours that William Marlow was a handsome man were true. He had dark eyes with thick eyebrows. His mouth was top heavy but it wasn’t a reduction of his beauty, only adding to his raw attractiveness. His jaw was bold, defining his face and his face was clean shaven. She guessed he would be a few inches over six feet because he was a lot taller than her. She didn’t feel that way as they danced though. He must have been hunching a bit for his eyes to meet hers in that way. He said nothing as he spoke, keeping his eyes locked into hers and capturing her gaze with his intensity.
The beat changed and William leaned into to her, bringing her face dangerously close to his chin. Joane found it difficult to breath. It was like they had left the dance and were alone in a dark room, each person waiting on the other to make the first move. Joane took a deep breath, taking in the sweet masculine scent of William. She looked up and saw his gaze was still riveted on her face. His expression was statuesque.
His eyes were eager; Joane saw them absorbing everything they saw on her. There was a primal hunger in them like a wild animal ready to devour and Joane felt like a willing prey. She was warm with emotion, his scent struck up a pulse that beat steadily through her body. Joane wished they were really alone, she held herself from moving her hands under his shirt. She killed the temptation to feel his hard body, the stolidity his chest promised. His grip was strong and firm; Joane wished they were a bit higher than her waist.
Put them on my breasts. Kill the throb in my eager breasts.
She brought her hand lower on his back, trying to tempt him to grip her closer to her breasts.
Was that want I see in his eyes?
Joane dropped her gaze back to his chest. Joane tried to control her heart rate but she felt it race faster with every twirl. She was conflicted with emotions. The dance was a bitter sweet experience. One minute she felt like she couldn’t wait for the dance to end; it was draining and made her tenser than she had ever felt with a man before.
Is this how all dances are?
Then the next minute she didn’t want the dance to end, she wanted to lose herself in the safety of his arms. She removed her left hand from his grip, tugging gently till he let it be. She placed it instead on his chest, bringing them even closer in an intimate embrace. His chest was hard; Joane felt like fusing herself into his its sturdiness. She had never felt this way with anyone before. He was enchanting.
No wonder he is so infamous with the ladies. No man has this quiet panache.
She hadn’t expected a reaction like this when she agreed to a dance with him. She felt she would have everything under control. The way her heart beat, she wasn’t sure she did anymore.
*******
William said nothing as turned her around in a double twist. He was still angry at her comments about the duel with her father. He held her facing him and took his gaze away but when the tempo of the music increased he turned to face her. He couldn’t take his gaze off her. He saw the slow mound of her breasts, a gradual build and curve to form a perfect hill. He could see the creamy skin at the top of the mounds, the partitioning that threatened to drain his gaze. He moved his eyes to her face and was astounded by her beauty.
How could a lady be so perfect? She is without fault.
He noticed that her lips were bright pink, a colour that didn’t stand out but was enough to make a man ache for a kiss. Now the ache had turned to a pang, only his discipline held him from crushing his lips onto hers. Her hair smelt like a garden, a mix of aromas but one strong scent. He opened his mouth to ask what made her smell so sweet but she had taken her gaze away. He was about raising his gaze again when she looked back at him. Her eyes were brown, a friendly light brown that played tricks with the light. William was mesmerized. She didn’t drop her gaze, matching his stare with hers. William smiled.
She would not lose in a battle of wills. She is a strong woman.
