It is not just Olivia he cares for, but me also. And by the looks of things, he might just be ready to admit it…
Thalia had not known how she felt about the duke. Not really. Until now, he had been so cold and withdrawn, so careful not to give her anything. But after today and all that happened, thinking of the way he treated Olivia, and how he protected them both, she realized it was time to stop pretending.
She was starting to develop feelings for Ronan. True feelings. Strange, perhaps, but right. And when she held his eyes, she wanted him to see it.
Their stare held as the silence grew.
Still holding her hands, he licked his lips as he bore down upon her. A small step and he moved closer, breathing turn soft,realization filtering behind his eyes so she did not have to guess what was on his mind.
And Thalia wanted it. Her eyes flicked to his lips, letting him know that he had permission. She then parted her lips slightly, heart thundering, knees trembling, stomach flipping with eagerness and trepidation both. They had not kissed once as man and wife, as the moment had never come. But it was here now, their feelings obvious, the perfect time to make them known.
Ronan seemed to lean forward slightly. His lips trembled as he puckered them. The want in his eyes, a hand reaching for her…
He pulled back suddenly, took a further step backwards, and half-turned away from her. “I should go.”
“Wh—what?” she stammered.
“Good night, Your Grace. I…” He hesitated, refusing to look at her. “Thank you for today.” And then, without so much as looking back at her, Ronan strode across the foyer and out of sight.
Thalia was left standing there alone, one hand still reaching for the duke, her lips still puckered slightly, her body still awash with the temptation of a kiss that looked like it would never be. And most of all, a mind overcome by confusion.
That, however, was common for this marriage by this point. So perhaps she was not so confused as she could have been. Not that this made her feel any better.
Seventeen
“Perhaps a toast?” Alaric raised his mug in the air. “It feels somewhat necessary, considering the circumstances.”
“I was wondering who might suggest it.” Sebastian was grinning as he raised his own.
“Well, if everyone else is…” The third member of the group, Cassian, joined in with an exaggerated sigh as he too raised his mug.
Then, mugs raised, the three dukes turned and looked pointedly at Ronan who had not moved to join in on the toast. He knew why they were doing it, to purposefully annoy him, and he did not wish to give them the satisfaction of baiting him.
“Can we not,” he grumbled sullenly, not at all in the mood for the charade.
“It wouldn’t be a toast unless we all joined in,” Alaric said.
“And it would be bad luck,” Sebastian agreed. “Surely, you would not wish such a thing on your three best friends?”
“Only friends,” Cassian corrected.
They continued to look at him, each grinning from ear to ear.
Ronan groaned and raised his mug to join theirs, making it clear with the dismissive look on his grizzled face that he did not appreciate the jest. Even if that was only half true.
He liked to pretend that he wanted nothing to do with it, while secretly harboring an internal smile because he hadn’t realized how much he missed these gatherings until now. Years were spent convincing himself otherwise, because what need did someone like Ronan have for friends and companionship?
“To the Wicked Dukes!” Alaric cheered as the mugs clinked together. “It has been an age since we were all gathered like this, by my count. Far too long.”
“It is fun to behave and all that,” Sebastian agreed. “But it does grow rather boring.”
“I’ve been meaning to give my wife something new to complain about,” Cassian added with laughter. “Telling her that I met up with you scoundrels is sure to do it.”
Again, all three men turned expectantly to Ronan.
Despite his best efforts, a smile crossed his lips, and he rolled his eyes as if he thought the whole thing ridiculous and beneath him. “Better to drink alone but seeing as that isn’t an option, I suppose you three will do.”
Their mugs clinked and the four friends threw back heavy mouthfuls of frothing ale, laughing together as they had not done in far too long.
