The Duke was quick to act, and he wrapped an arm around her waist tightly to stop her from falling over. The increased proximity only served to intensify the moment as their gazes locked once again.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” she said, flustered.
“It is quite all right,” the Duke replied, unable to tear his gaze away from her. He felt a spark as his hands touched her waist which was delicate and seemed to appear so small under his hands.
For a moment, it was as though they were the only two present in the room…
Until the loud guffaw of Jacob’s laughter interrupted their moment. The Duke let go of Sophia’s waist immediately, having snapped back to reality.
“I believe this is enough for practice,” he announced before making a hasty exit from the room. His hands twitched atthe memory of their touches, and he felt frustrated by their proximity.
Surely, he had no business feeling this way.
Jacob was quick to follow him out.
“What did I tell you?” he teased, catching up to his brother’s pace with ease.
“Jacob, I have no time for your useless commentary.”
“The tension in that room…” Jacob fanned himself in a mocking manner. “Oh, surely, we all felt it. It seems that sparks were flying between the two of you.”
“It seems that you have grown more annoying with age,” the Duke replied in a dry tone.
“Annoying?” Jacob feigned offense. “I am merely a humble teller of truth, brother. Do not shun me for doing so. Besides, the two of you will be spending a lot more time together once you are married.”
“Yes, that is the purpose of a marriage…”
“Surely some feelings are bound to arise then, judging from the chemistry that I just witnessed.”
“As far as I am concerned, this marriage is purely platonic. I am sure the two of us can be friends as time goes on.”
Jacob chuckled loudly. “Oh, do not say that in front of mother, or she is bound to have a heart attack. She has been eager for a grandchild, and you must have a nonplatonic relationship for that to happen.”
Duncan pursed his lips. He had thought about children before. However, they were always an abstract possibility in his life since he had no one to make them with. Now that he was getting married, the topic was bound to come up more often.
“I suppose I will have to find a way to appease our mother,” he shrugged. “Why don’t you volunteer as a tribute and find a wife for yourself? You can produce the offspring that our mother wants.”
“Oh, not at all,” Jacob laughed. “I am too much of a free spirit to be tamed down by marriage.”
“But surely not free from the pressure of it?”
Jacob considered his brother’s words for a moment. “Well, it is a blessing then that I am the younger child. Mother is so obsessed with you getting married that she does not have the time to think about me.”
“For now…” Duncan warned playfully. His brother had been teasing him constantly, so it was time that he gave him a taste ofhis own medicine. “Perhaps you can ask for Lady Barbara’s hand in marriage.”
“For heaven’s sake, no. You are the one she wants, not me,” Jacob replied. “I wonder how she is going to take the news of the wedding. Surely, she expected you to ask her, did she not?”
Duncan shrugged. He was aware of Lady Barbara’s interest in him, but he did not return it in the slightest.
“I am sure she will get over the disappointment eventually.”
“Oh, she is quite the firecracker, is she not?” Jacob asked.
“I do not know. With me, she is very proper.”
“I have seen how she interacts with you. I know for a fact that she will not take to the news kindly. Do you know if she is invited to the wedding?”
“Mother is in charge of handling the guest list,” the Duke replied. “I have told her to keep it small.”
