“How can I be friends with someone so… irresistible?” Deena expected him to push through the door and kiss her, but instead, Austin pulled back. “Wear the green silk tonight. I want to spend the entire evening imagining peeling it off you later.”
Deena’s mouth went dry. “You can’t just say things like that.”
“I can.” He blew a kiss at her. “And I will.”
She stared at him, heart hammering at his words. “This is… a lot.”
“I know.” His voice softened. “But you’re not alone anymore. And tonight, I expect you to walk into the room, like you own it. Because with me, you do, and we should not be afraid.”
Deena swallowed. “We?”
“Yes, we.” He slowly walked away from her door. “Did you forget that we are married?”
I could not, even if I tried.
She closed her eyes for a second, trying to process whether she was ready to go out into public yet.
When she opened them again, Austin was watching her from afar. She noticed the hint of desire in his stare but brushed it off as his drunkenness.
“Wear the green,” he repeated softly as he retreated down the corridor.
Deena felt the corner of her mouth lift. “You’re very sure of yourself, Velvet Duke.”
“I’m always sure of myself, Dee.” He turned and winked at her. “I’ll see you at seven. Don’t be late.”
“Austin.” She called out.
He froze in front of a painting of one of his many ancestors.
She hesitated, then said quietly, “Thank you. For… not making this feel like punishment.”
His smile was small but visible.
Austin continued down the darkened corridor until she could no longer see him and yelled. “Oh, I almost forgot; Good morning,friend!”
Deena shook her head and laughed as his voice echoed around her.
Twenty-Three
“Ignore the stares and whispers.” Selina pressed her hand over Deena’s.
Dominic nodded solemnly beside her. “If you need us, we will be around,” he added.
“Thank you, Dom. But I am sure that we will be all right.” Austin looked down at Deena reassuringly, but she seemed terrified.
“Best be on our way then,” Deena said shakily and offered a small smile to her brother and sister-in-law.
Dominic and Selina exchanged looks before they all went their separate ways. Austin felt Deena tense beside him the moment they crossed the threshold into the gala and heard the whispers around them.
“The Velvet Duke choseherof all the eligible women?”
“Yes, how very disappointing for many of us. Perhaps we should have been more scandalous to gain his attention.” A group of ladies tattled about them nearby and laughed quietly.
“Perhaps you should have been.” Austin butted in, cutting their laughter short. The gossiper turned to reveal herself. “Ah, Lady Amelia, it will be good to learn that many men do not appreciate gossip as a virtue for their future wife. It makes one look…cheap.” He winked at her and continued walking, leaving Lady Amelia gaping and hurt.
Well deserved.
Deena’s gloved fingers tightened on his arm and he sensed her fear. The usual murmurs rose but tonight the whispers had stung and left a mark.
