Page 48 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
Together, they sifted through the array of elegant fabrics and intricate designs of gowns found in the wardrobe, until at last they settled upon a gown of deep sapphire blue, its rich hue complementing Catherine’s complexion perfectly. With deft fingers, the maid helped Catherine into the gown, cinching the bodice and fastening the buttons with practiced ease.
As she smoothed out the fabric and adjusted the intricate folds, Catherine couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within her. Whatever surprise awaited her, she was determined to meet with grace and elegance, as she always did.
Just as she was about to announce to the maid that she was perfectly happy with their choice, a knock on the door interrupted them. It was Dominic.
“Are you ready, Catherine?” he wondered.
“Yes,” she nodded, noticing that he wasn’t able to take his eyes off of her. “What is it?” She bit her lower lip. “Am I overdressed?”
“No,” he shook his head with a smile. “You look… perfect.”
His simple words tugged at the very edges of her heart. “I do?”
“Mmm,” he nodded. “Just… perfect. I have no other words for the way you look now.”
“Is the gown special enough for the occasion?” she wondered playfully.
He smiled again. “It is.”
Suddenly, she frowned.
“What is it?” he asked, worried.
“Do you have a cane I could use?” she inquired, looking down at her foot as she was seated on the edge of the bed. “You know I shouldn’t walk.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “You won’t need a cane.”
She wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but she didn’t get a chance to do so. Without saying another word, he swept her into his arms with effortless strength, eliciting a surprised gasp from her lips.
“Dominic!” she protested, her laughter bubbling forth like music in the air. “Really, a cane would suffice!”
But he only shook his head with a playful glint in his eyes. “Nonsense. A lady such as yourself deserves nothing less than to be carried like a queen,” he declared with a charming smile she couldn’t resist.
She knew that her defenses against his charms were wavering. And now, being in his strong arms, all she wanted was to turn to him and feel his naked skin underneath her fingertips. She blushed upon imagining what his naked body might look like, his skin glistening under the flickering light of the candles.
Catherine!That little voice scolded her. She was caught. And the shame blazed red all over her cheeks.
She swallowed as Dominic descended the grand staircase with her cradled in his arms. Despite her initial protests, she realized that there was nowhere else she would rather be than in his arms. And the thought both thrilled her and petrified her.
In that moment, as she gazed up at his handsome face, she realized that she had been too focused on a destination she wished to reach… alone. Now, she was more focused on the journey, wherever it decided to take her. Most importantly, it would be with him.
“Are you ready?” she heard him ask as they approached the parlor door. Her heart was now beating inside her throat. She was both thrilled and nervous at the same time, wondering what he had prepared for her.
“For a surprise I know nothing of?” she asked with a shy smile. “Can one ever be ready for such a thing?”
He laughed melodiously, a full, throaty laughter she wanted more of. So much more.
“I suppose not,” he replied, pushing the parlor door open with his leg, and revealing a figure standing in the middle of the parlor.
Catherine swallowed heavily. The man was standing with his back to her, but it was a back she had seen a million times before. She knew him even before he turned around to face her, his eyes caressing her with the depth of his brotherly love.
“Reggie?”
Chapter 24
Still in Dominic’s strong arms, Catherine crossed the threshold into the parlor, her eyes fixed on her brother’s form. As soon as they drew near, Reginald wasted no time in closing the distance between them. Dominic gently placed her down on the ground, and Reginald’s familiar embrace enveloped Catherine into a cocoon of safety and love.
“Cate! My dear, dear Cate,” Reginald murmured, his voice filled with emotion. His hands cupped her cheeks, and his lips covered her forehead and temples with a rain of soft kisses.
