CHAPTER 11
Dorian’s kiss was delightfully unexpected, but that didn’t stop Ellie from relaxing her lips and allowing him to carry on. She did not think about the people watching.
She did not think about their bargain. In fact, she did not think about anything except that being held and kissed by this man made her body sing. His taste was familiar, and his embrace full of possession and protection.
The church was soundless as they pulled apart, and a wicked light flashed in Dorian’s eyes— that was what he’d wanted, wasn’t it?
Soon, they were turning to face the crowd, most of whom seemed to be still shocked by the fact that the Duke of Wolfthorne had finally taken a bride.
She turned to see her aunt’s face deathly pale, shock on her cousin’s, and pure vitriol from a few ladies who sat alone. Theygazed with glowing, jealous eyes as they complimented her perfect coils and pearl-strewn curls. The spite was masked by polite smiles, but if the jealousy could kill, she would have been dead ten times over.
I believe I have just removed the most eligible bachelor in London from the marriage market.
“Are we staying for the breakfast?” She inclined her head to whisper.
“Yes and no,” Dorian replied, his hand resting on the small of her back. “We are going to meet a few people, and then leave. They will have the breakfast to themselves.”
“People, meaning my uncle, aunt, and Carrington?” she replied. “I know he is here.”
“Precisely. He is the last one we will speak with,” Dorian nodded, “As with two of my other friends. Though I fear that I will not escape this room without being ambushed.” His hold on her body turned polite. “When we speak with your relatives, follow my lead.”
“You have friends,” she murmured as they came to the end of the room. “Consider me astonished.”
The subtle thud of a cane had her heartbeat ratcheting up. “I must say, Your Grace,” Carrington’s calm words were brittle. “You do know how to pull off the impossible.”
Dorian’s jaw clenched, but the aggravation vanished in a moment. He pulled Ellie to his side as they turned. Carrington’s gaze held the full measure of the tense situation. A muscle twisted near his left eye while his gaze was filled with smoldering designs of revenge.
“Miss Fra—oh, pardon me,Your Grace,” he said spitefully while his narrowed gaze shifted to Dorian. “Did His Grace inform you your uncle and I were searching far and wide for you?”
“No,” she said sweetly. Dorian had advised her on how to deal with her family, but not Carrington. Acting surprised, she looked between them. “You two are acquainted?”
“More than,” Carrington murmured venomously. “He is my protégé.”
“Was,” Dorian said stiffly. “Iwasyour apprentice. Would you mind if we carried on this conversation at the wedding breakfast?”
“I won’t be attending,” Carrington said with a little bow. “My felicitations to you two. Send me word when you return from your honeymoon.”
When he left, Ellie let the shudder she had been holding back loose. “He is not happy.”
“He is murderous,” Dorian said as the carriage came to their feet. “He’ll simmer a little and then concoct a way to get backat me—” He helped her into the carriage and then hopped in as well, “—And that is why I need to get you to the estate as soon as possible.”
Worriedly, Ellie removed the veil from her head. “What do you think he will do?”
Rapping on the roof, Dorian settled back and pulled the window curtain down. “Anything from sabotaging my businesses or getting his henchmen to attack me. I do not want you to be in the middle of that.”
Her shoulders slumped. “For every two things you tell me, I feel you leave four out.”
“That’s the best thing,” Dorian hooked a finger under the window flap and looked out.
“Dorian,” Ellie said, while heeding his order to call him by his given name. “Do you even think you will have a normal life? One away from the Shadowy Underworld? When was the last time you went somewhere without looking over your shoulder, or not changed houses three times in a week?”
He pulled away and stretched out a long leg. “I’ll untangle myself one day.”
Her mind spun. “What more do you want?”
“To find my traitorous uncle,” Dorian finished. “As I told you. Carrington has that information, and it is the only reason I have played his game of push and pull. He thinks I am still in the nest with him while I have been moving my twigs little by little.”
The carriage rolled to a stop at a secret entrance to Almacks, and before he stepped out, he peeled off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Dorian alighted first to help her down and into the assembly room, but halfway to the doors, he paused.
