Page 2 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
The carriage soon came to a gentle halt in front of Lady Pentor’s imposing London townhouse, its grandeur illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns lining the entrance. Anna, a portrait of composure despite the storm raging within, took a steadying breath. The soft rustle of her gown whispered tales of determination as she stepped onto the gaslit pavement.
The imposing façade of the townhouse seemed to echo with the murmurs of London’s social hierarchy, each step on the polished marble staircase resonating with the weight of Anna’s purpose. As she ascended the grand entrance, she cast a contemplative gaze over the gathering.
The opulent setting, adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded furnishings, formed a stark contrast to the financial abyss that loomed over her. She had never felt more detached from theton, yet, within this realm of privilege and extravagance, she hoped to find a lifeline.
Even amid the swirling gowns and refined conversations, Anna found her thoughts remained tethered to the fate of her late husband’s estate and the devoted staff who had become an extension of her family. The urgency of her situation lent a subtle urgency to her movements as she navigated through the maze of silk and satin, in search of Lady Pentor.
Finally, Anna noticed her. Lady Angelica Pentor, a vision of refined elegance, wove through the crowd with an air of joviality that matched her plump cheeks and generous curves. Her gown, a luxurious creation of delicate silk and lace, swirled gracefully around her as she approached Anna. The shimmering fabric was adorned with intricate embroidery and spoke of Lady Pentor’s penchant for the finer things in life.
Her countenance was marked by a pair of twinkling eyes that sparkled with mirth, revealing an affinity for gossip and a zest for the intricacies of London society. The plumpness of her cheeks only added to the warmth of her presence, and her smile, ever ready, hinted at a nature both amiable and shrewd.
As Lady Pentor reached Anna, she extended a hand heavy with glittering jewels, offering a warm and cordial greeting. Her voice, a melodious blend of charm and mischief, welcomed Anna into the folds of the gathering.
“Anna, my dear, how lovely it is to see you here.” Lady Pentor’s words, laced with a touch of curiosity, hinted at the insatiable appetite for gossip that endeared her to the upper echelons of society. Her eyes, gleaming with friendly interest, invited Anna to share in the camaraderie of the soiree, where secrets were traded like precious gems amid the glittering chandeliers.
“It is my pleasure to be here, Lady Pentor,” Anna replied cordially. “I don’t know how, but you manage to outdo yourself every year.”
“Oh, you little flatterer you!” Lady Pentor giggled, her cheeks turning an even darker shade of crimson. “To be quite honest, I was afraid you wouldn’t make it. After all, with everything that has happened, I also would not be in any particular mood for balls and parties…”
Lady Pentor’s voice slowly trailed off as Anna noticed something—that is, someone. She could not help but cast furtive glances toward the enigmatic figure standing by the fireplace.
The lively flicker of the flames illuminated the man’s tall frame, accentuating the commanding presence that set him apart from the mirthful revelry around him. His demeanor, a portrait of melancholy in the midst of celebration, seemed to draw Anna like a moth to a flame.
The man’s dark, tousled hair framed a face chiseled with a quiet intensity, and his piercing blue eyes held a depth that hinted at untold stories. A subtle scruff on his jaw only added to the rugged allure that contrasted with the refined setting of Lady Pentor’s gathering.
While the room buzzed with animated conversations and laughter, the mysterious gentleman remained an island of brooding contemplation. Anna, despite the distractions of the soirée, found her attention repeatedly drawn back to him, as if an invisible thread connected their gazes across the expanse of the opulent room.
As Lady Pentor guided her through the social intricacies of the gathering, Anna could not shake the magnetic pull of the mysterious man. Intrigued by the enigma he presented, she wondered about the stories that lingered beneath the surface of his stoic countenance.
“…and that is why I was thinking that I could simply go ahead and do it. Don’t you agree?” Lady Pentor concluded her little monologue with a question, and Anna realized, much to her dismay, that she had absolutely no idea what the woman was talking about.
“Oh… yes, I certainly agree.” Anna smiled a little nervously, looking about. “You are one of the most intelligent women I have had the fortune of knowing, Lady Pentor. Your decisions are always well thought through.” It was an utterly vague response that offered nothing of value, but Lady Pentor seemed pleased with it.
“You are most kind to notice, Anna.” Lady Pentor beamed.
“But I am taking away far too much of your precious hosting time, Lady Pentor.” Anna pretended to suddenly remember. “I am certain there are so many people here in attendance wishing for the privilege to speak to you, and I am taking up their time.”
“Kindandthoughtful,” Lady Pentor pointed out with a smile. “Your husband, God rest his soul, was a fortunate man.” Then she gasped, pressing her hand to her lips. “Oh, I didn’t mean that as it sounded, my dear. Honestly, I did not! I just meant he was fortunate to have found someone as lovely as yourself, but in every other aspect, he was not really fortunate… Oh my, I have made a mess of this conversation, haven’t I?”
Anna smiled back at her. “I know exactly what you meant, Lady Pentor. Thank you for your kind words.”
“Oh, my dear.” Lady Pentor shook her head at Anna. “What on earth will happen to you, without a husband?”
Obviously, Lady Pentor considered the loss of a husband the most tragic event in the life of a woman. If that particular husband was loved beyond words, Anna might agree.
“I will be fine,” Anna assured her, although she herself was not all that certain of it.
Fortunately, a moment later, someone called out to Lady Pentor and she excused herself, leaving Anna alone in a crowd of people she didn’t want to be around. As she continued to navigate the social intricacies of Lady Pentor’s gathering, the mysterious gentleman’s enigmatic charm seemed to cast an unexpected spell on her. The mundane pursuit of financial solutions faded into the background, replaced by a flutter of emotion that took her by surprise.
The allure of the stranger, with his commanding presence and brooding charisma, stirred a long-forgotten awakening within her. Inappropriate yet undeniable, sensual thoughts danced on the edges of her consciousness. Caught in the delicate dance of societal expectations, Anna couldn’t ignore the magnetism that drew her gaze back to the mysterious man.
His mere presence seemed to kindle a flame of desire, awakening sensations that had long been dormant within her. The gathering, initially a quest for financial reprieve, now became an unexpected journey into the uncharted territories of passion and longing.
She forced herself to tear her gaze away from him as she went for a drink, in hopes that it might steady both her nerves and her fluttering heart. Unfortunately, a simple lemonade did not have nearly as much potency to do either of those two things.
Chapter 2
Alexander Hastings, the Duke of Blackthorne, was accustomed to the grandeur of London’s social gatherings. After all, he had been quite the eligible bachelor of theton, but all the ladies knew better than to have their eye on him, for he had proven time and time again that his focus was solely his title, his wealth, and his vast properties.
