Page 43 of Duke of Silver
She made for the stairs, her feet moving swiftly as she headed toward her chambers. She just wanted to be alone, to shut the door and block out the world—and especiallyhim.
But just as she reached her door and began to close it behind her, it was stopped by a sudden force. Elizabeth turned, her breath catching as she saw Alexander standing there, his foot wedged in the door to prevent her from shutting him out.
“Elizabeth,” he said firmly, his voice low but edged with frustration. “We need to talk.”
Her heart lurched, anger and pain rising in her throat. “I have nothing to say to you,” she replied, her voice trembling.
“You’re upset. I can see that,” he continued, pushing the door open wider as he stepped into the room. “What happened?”
Elizabeth’s fury boiled over. She turned to face him fully, her hands shaking at her sides. “What happened?” she spat, her voice rising. “I saw you, Alexander. Isawyou with Georgianna.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “Saw me? What are you talking about?”
“In the conservatory,” she continued, her voice breaking as her emotions spilled over. “I followed you. I heard you talking about letters and God knows what else!”
His eyes widened, realization dawning on his face. “Elizabeth, that’s not what you think?—”
“Don’t lie to me again!” she snapped. “I saw you, Alexander! You were meeting with her, and don’t you dare tell me it was innocent!”
“Elizabeth,” he began, his voice steady, trying to calm her, “if you’ll just let me explain?—”
“Explain?” she cut him off. “There’s nothing to explain! I’ve already been dragged through one scandal because of the rumors with your brother, and now this? Now I’m supposed to endure the humiliation of being married to a man who keeps amistress?”
Alexander’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident as he stepped closer. “There isnothingbetween Georgianna and me. Nothing. You misunderstand,” he said, his tone more insistent now. “I sent her a letter because I had to warn her?—”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses!”
He moved closer, his eyes flashing with anger now. “You’re wrong, Elizabeth. You don’t know the full story.”
“I know enough,” she retorted, her voice shaking. “I know that I won’t be publicly humiliated by you. Not after everything I’ve already endured!”
“And what of whatIhave , Elizabeth?” he snapped, his voice rising above hers. “How you gave my brother liberties and left me to sort it out. Have you giventhatany thought?”
Elizabeth froze. Her heart plummeted, the words cutting through her like ice.
CHAPTER 19
The moment the words left his mouth, Alexander regretted them. He saw the shock, the hurt, flare in Elizabeth’s eyes, and a knot twisted in his gut. What had he done?
His frustration had taken control, fueled by the confusion of her accusations and her refusal to let him explain. She claimed to have seen him with Georgianna, yet surely she must have overheard more—surely she had heard his warnings to the widow.
But no. She had only heard enough to incriminate him in her mind, and when she wouldn’t listen, his irritation had flared into an outburst. And now here they were—his accusation striking her like a blade.
Elizabeth’s face flushed with fury, her eyes burning with a rage that matched his own. Before he could say another word, she raised her hand, aiming to slap him. But instinct took over, and he caught her wrist mid-air. The force of it shook her, andhe instinctively pulled her toward him, steadying her as she stumbled into his chest.
He didn’t let go. He couldn’t. Alexander could feel the heat of her fury. And yet—beneath the anger—something else stirred. A pull he had felt before but had fought against for so long. Now, with her so close, with their emotions raw and exposed, he could feel it growing stronger.
His grip on her wrist loosened, but his hand remained, his fingers grazing the soft skin of her arm. His gaze dropped to her lips, and he felt the pull of them.
He began to lower his head. He could feel the moment between them teetering on the edge of something neither of them had anticipated?—
A sharp knock on the door shattered the moment like glass.
Alexander jerked back, blinking as if waking from a trance. Elizabeth stepped away, her face flushed. They both turned toward the door as Alexander called, “Yes?”
Mr. Ryton entered, his eyes respectfully downcast. “A letter for you, Your Grace,” the butler said, stepping forward and handing it to Alexander.
He took it, his heart still pounding from the charged moment they had just shared. His fingers tightened on the letter as he saw the name on the front.
