Page 5 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
Alexander had to admit that her lack of pretense and the ease with which she spoke of her life intrigued him. Her tone of voice articulated nuances of pride and vulnerability hidden just beneath the surface of her calm exterior. Alexander, accustomed to the superficiality of societal conversations, found himself pleasantly surprised by Anna’s depth.
“But I don’t think that the children lovedMuch Ado About Nothingas much as I do.” Anna chuckled, obviously in an effort to steer the conversation back to less intimate topics.
“You read them Shakespeare?” Alexander wondered, chuckling. “How old were they?”
“One is never too old or too young to love Shakespeare,” she retorted, much to the amusement of both Alexander and Lady Pentor.
“I can agree with one side of that, but perhaps a four-year-old child is unable to truly understand Shakespeare’s nuances of language,” Alexander replied, grinning. Lady Pentor had gracefully taken a step away from them, leaving them alone in their conversation. “EspeciallyMuch Ado About Nothing,” he added. “That is quite a choice.”
Anna, her eyes alight with enthusiasm, responded quickly. “The dynamic between Beatrice and Benedick is a dance of words, a delicate balance of pride and vulnerability.” She had chosen exactly the same words that had been in his own mind about her. He continued to listen without interrupting her. “I just love how their banter conceals deeper emotions, creating a nuanced portrayal of love.”
“Ah, love concealed in words,” mused Alexander. He had never been too keen on Shakespeare, although he had read many of his works and was familiar with them. “But love should be expressed in actions, not in clever repartees.”
“But one cannot always act,” she said, reminding him of something he knew well. “And societal expectations weigh heavily on the matters of the heart. I believe that Beatrice and Benedick’s verbal sparring challenges these norms.”
As they delved into the play even deeper, her insights continued to impress him. She eloquently dissected the characters’ struggles against societal constraints and drew parallels with regular human lives.
“Shakespeare’s exploration of societal norms is timeless, don’t you think?” she remarked.
Alexander, usually reserved in social circles, found himself opening up. “Absolutely. The constraints depicted in the play mirror the expectations of the ordinary person.”
He had to admit that he was captivated by her words and perspective, and her passion for the written word resonated with him.
“So, I suppose you were right,” he suddenly heard her say amid the chatter.
“I was?” he wondered, raising an eyebrow. Without even knowing it, she was somehow able to bring out the best in him, to force him out of his shell and open up to her. “I mean, yes. Of course I was. I’m just not certain in what exactly.”
His comment made her smile. Even more than smile. Her face lit up with a radiance that transformed her entire countenance. The soft glow of the chandeliers above caught the spark in her emerald eyes, emphasizing the genuine joy that emanated from within. Her smile, like a rare blossom in full bloom, showcased the warmth and authenticity that set her apart in the grandeur of the ballroom.
The delicate curve of her lips revealed a grace that went beyond mere beauty, capturing the attention of those fortunate enough to witness the enchanting display. He found himself captivated by the sheer loveliness of her smile. It was a beacon of sincerity in a world often veiled in societal façades. The subtle dimples that appeared on her cheeks added a touch of endearing charm, making her presence all the more enchanting.
“Perhaps the nuances of language are indeed lost on the children, but the story is not, the loveliness of the language is not, and the message certainly is not,” she said victoriously, and he realized that she had played a joke on him.
She had admitted he was right, but then had twisted the situation to prove her point. He was in awe of how she had done it, and he did not want this conversation to end. There was only one way to prolong it without anyone’s interference.
“Ah, touché.” He smiled back at her, as her eyes seemed to beckon at him not to let her go.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a gentleman heading their way. The man was looking straight at Anna. Alexander knew what his intentions were: dancing, and with it, taking her away.
Not bloody likely!He heard that rebellious little voice inside of him, and before he knew it, he grabbed her by the hand, leading her toward the circle of the ballroom, where the other dancing couples were already swirling to the sound of the waltz. He settled her in his arms skillfully, his hand on her waist—as close as propriety allowed, but he wanted her even closer.
She stared right at him, refusing to look away even for a single moment. “Is this your way of asking me to dance?” she asked, taunting him.
“Yes,” he said with his heart beating inside his throat, making his entire body beat in unison with it.
She tilted her head as her hand rested in his. He dared not look down, at the delectable paleness of her collarbones, at the dainty pearl necklace clasping her swan-like neck.
“What if I said no?” she asked.
He took a small step closer to her, not caring one bit whether the waltz allowed it or not, or what thetonwould say. To hell with their malicious tongues. He was in the presence of a goddess, and he would be damned if he let her out of his arms.
“You can say no now, if you want,” he whispered.
***
The sound of his words, spoken in such dangerous proximity to her lips shook her to the very core. The last thing she wanted to do was say no. But he had pulled her here without asking, as if her eyes had already given him the permission to do so.
“I’ll take your silence as acceptance,” she heard him say.
