Page 19 of Dukes Are Forever
"And your wife?" Gemma asked.
He ignored the speculative looks on everyone's faces. It was clear they were well aware of Devoncourt's interest in Adele. If he pressed the matter, he'd no doubt find a betting book somewhere in the bloody house.
"I will continue my efforts to learn what part my wife plays in all of this. If—as you say—Adele is innocent, then Devoncourt was sniffing around her for a reason. I want to know why. Adele is either a cunning knife at my throat, or an unwitting pawn in danger."
His tone left little doubt which one he suspected.
"Dismissed."
Chapter 5
"May I have this dance?"
It was Malloryn's voice, though Adele had not expected her husband to be in attendance at Lady Rutherford's masked ball.
Adele stilled, all of her senses narrowing in upon the presence suddenly at her back. Orchestral strings shivered through a waltz in the distance. Feathers and gold sequins flashed past as the masked inhabitants of the ball swept in graceful figures before her.
But the pair of them might as well have been alone.
She could think of no one else.
The flutter of her fan increased, though she refused to look at him. "Considering yesterday's proposal and your mysterious absence last night, I thought you'd forgotten me."
"Hardly. If I'd had any hope of succeeding in such an endeavor it would have been months ago." There was a wry edge to Malloryn's voice as he stepped closer. Her skirts stirred against her stocking-clad calves. "Try as I might, I can never quite manage to get you out of my mind, Adele."
A shiver went down her spine.
She didn't turn, even though she could feel his cool breath on the back of her neck. Nobody was watching her here, tucked away in the corner of the ballroom, but she couldn't help feeling as though she danced the edge of scandal.
Ridiculous.
Malloryn was her husband, after all.
"You give a good impression of it," she retorted, trying to slow her fan and look disinterested.
A fingertip brushed against her back, rippling over the taffeta of her peacock-colored gown. "Did you wait for me?" her husband murmured, his voice soft and indecent.
Adele closed her eyes.Yes, damn you.All night.
"Not at all," her mouth said.
"Liar."
Somehow, she knew he was smiling. "What do you want?"
Malloryn held out his gloved hand as he circled her. She couldn't stop her gaze from lowering to his stern mouth, though the black hawkish mask hid his features and its cascade of feathers disguised his coppery hair. A bird of prey. How eminently suitable.
"A dance, Adele. Consider it an apology for my absence. I've been seeing to some business."
"You never apologize."
"Perhaps it's time for peace between us. Dance with me."
"Do I have a choice?"
"I've probably earned that." The faintest of quirks crossed his mouth. "You could deny me. Nobody knows who I am right now, so the gossip would be minimal. Though I warn you, the consequences might be dire."
"What sort of consequences?"
