She watched as Austin was chased away by Selina and laughed. Austin turned around to find her. He grinned from afar and waited for her. Everything was different between them since Penelope’s visit. They weren’t physical since then, but every moment between them felt intimate. Deena tried to name what she was experiencing with him, but she could not find the right word or perhaps she was too afraid to admit what it truly was.
“I am determined to enjoy myself today,” Austin called out. “And I find I enjoy myself most when you’re near.”
Deena felt the familiar heat pool low in her belly. “You looked happier beside Dom.” She teased him.
“Do not let Selina hear you,” he murmured. Deena laughed, shaking her head.
They followed the others along the winding path, but Austin slowed his pace until they drifted several steps behind. Deena felt the warmth of him even without touching. The awareness of his nearness made her body react even then.
“You look different today,” he said suddenly.
“How so?”
“You seem more relaxed and…almost happy.”
“That is because Selina threatened to drag me here by my hair if I refused, and she absolutely insisted that I look as if I am enjoying myself.”
Austin laughed softly. “Ah! Well, I am glad she did. You look stunning when you are happy.”
Deena’s eyes met his, and she felt the familiar thud of her pulse quicken under his dark gaze.
How I long for him.
The sounds of children laughing nearby drifted to them and pulled them out of the spell they fell into.
“We should catch up with them,” Deena said, but she stayed rooted.
“Yes, we should.” Austin offered her his arm, and she took it without hesitation.
As they continued to walk, Deena watched Mary chase Percy with a stick while their poor maid ran after them and intervened before the stick became a weapon.
“Your niece and nephew are adorable,” Austin said, watching them with a broad smile.
“They are,” Deena agreed. “Though I suspect Percy is becoming more and more like Dominic, and he is not that adorable.”
“How dare you?” Austin feigned insult, and Deena giggled.
Their shared laughter felt easy and natural. Everything felt right and as it should be, but Deena could not fight an odd sense of foreboding. She decided to ignore it and concentrate on all the good that has happened. Penelope was safe. They had not heard from the blackmailer again, and all was well.
Deena tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “It is nice… being out like this.”
“It is,” Austin agreed quietly.
She glanced up at him.
“Austin…”
“Yes?”
“You’re staring.”
“I know.”
She looked away quickly, but he pulled her closer to his side. Deena could not bear the heat of his body against hers. She shut her eyes and shuddered. She had been dreaming about him every evening. Dreaming that he would enter her chamber, and her bed, and finish what they had started.
“There is my favorite color on you.” Her eyes fluttered open as she peered at him, grinning at her triumphantly.
Unbearable heat rose in her cheeks. “I truly understand now why you were crowned the title ‘Velvet Duke’”.
