Page 5 of The Scarlet Lady's Duke of Desire
“Ignore me,” she insisted with a deep sigh. “I believe I am too tired to think straight. Perhaps I ought to leave after all.”
Petunia looked exceedingly disappointed by Melody’s words but for once she did not protest. With a glance around them, Petunia commented, “I think you might be right. It seems you have already caused quite the stir tonight.”
Melody gulped past the lump in her throat. Her friend was right. But the worst stir of all was the emotions that the duke had stirred up inside of her. And even as she urged her friend to escort her from the ballroom, she couldn’t help but wonder.
What is this sensation deep inside of me?
Chapter 2
The ball had been far more entertaining than James Hastings had anticipated. In fact, it had even been a little rewarding, in an odd sort of way, though his cousin did not seem to share his opinion as they climbed into their carriage to head home.
The viscount glowered at him almost the moment that the footman clicked the carriage door closed behind them.
“Would you please explain to me what on earth you thought you were playing at tonight?” His cousin, Edward, Viscount Hastings, demanded. Though they were cousins, there was very little similar about them. Where James was dark haired, dark eyed and tanned, Edward was opposite.
Blonde haired, blue eyed and fair skinned. Some might even describe him as quite feminine, especially when compared to his cousin. Where James struggled to keep the stubble from his face, Edward had no trouble at all.
As for their demeanours, where James was cool, calm, and collected, his cousin was entirely too tense all the time. Now, more so than ever.
“I am not sure I know what you mean,” James said, though he struggled to keep the amusement from his tone. For in truth, he knew exactly what Edward was talking about.
The carriage started on its journey then, and Edward was so intent upon glowering at James that he looked surprised by the sudden movement. It only added to James' amusement when his cousin looked like he might be jostled right off his seat.
“You know exactly my meaning!” Edward insisted, gripping tightly to the edge of his seat and meeting James' gaze once more. There was frustration in his blue eyes, and he shook his head. “Must you always be so willing to make trouble?”
“We were at a ball,” James said with a deep shrug of his shoulders. “I danced and made merry. I see no harm in that.”
At his words, his cousin cocked his brow. Shaking his head, he clucked his tongue against his teeth in chastisement. When he looked him dead in the eye again, James already sensed he knew exactly what was coming.
“Of all the ladies you had to choose to dance with,” Edward said, his voice filled with disgust, “why did you have to choose her?”
James knew well who his cousin was talking about, perhaps the most enchanting creature he had ever laid eyes upon, at least when it came to the fact she was like no other lady of thetonwith her glossy red hair, her storm grey irises and her pale, freckled complexion. Add to that the fact that she was practically forbidden fruit and James wasn't sure how any man could resist.
At least, any man like himself would not be able to resist, not when it came to causing a ruckus and what better thing to do than cause chaos when at an otherwise boring social engagement?
“A dance is not a marriage proposal,” James sighed and shook his head, adjusting his cravat. The damn thing had been annoying him all evening, always just a little too tight. He would have preferred not to wear one at all but that would likely cause even more talk, and heaven forbid anyone should judge him for his wardrobe choices. Not that he was one for caring what anyone thought of him.
He did however like to cause a fuss, making chaos sometimes just to ruffle the feathers of the mamas of theton, hopefully to keep some of them from his door. As an unmarried duke he was a prime target, best to make himself borderline unavailable so not to invite too much unwanted attention.
“A dance with a woman can mean many things in the eyes of our society,” Edward stated.
James rolled his eyes.
“Since when are you such a wise old owl?” he mocked.
He loathed it when his cousin tried to get all high and mighty upon him. Anyone would think that Edward was the duke and not the other way around. Though he supposed that someone had to care for the reputation of their family. When it truly mattered, James would step up. Until then, all he wanted was to continue to have fun.
After all, his days were numbered when it came to such things. One might say his time had long since run out already. The hens were already chattering. Though they would never admit it to his face, he knew that half thetonwere waited with bated breath for him to begin his search for a wife.
He had been duke for long enough now since his father's passing. It was time he found a duchess. Or at least, that was what the braver members of thetontold him.
Seeming to ignore his comment, save for a scowl, Edward continued, “What is worse is you not only danced with her, but you also chose not to dance with anyone else all evening!”
James bit the inside of his lip perhaps a little harder than he ought to have, and he had to purse them in order to stop himself from laughing again. If his cousin had noticed his actions, then others must have as well.
“I have my reasons,” James said calmly, and attempting to look nonchalant, he raised his hand to inspect his fingernails, not that he could see all that much in the dark of the carriage. Only the moonlight that filtered through the windows lit up his cousin's disgruntled expression when he glanced at him again.
“Don't think I don't know what you are trying to do!” Edward snapped at him. When he shook his head, his golden hair that had turned silver in the moonlight started to become unstuck from where he had combed it back.
