The Duke’s eyes flickered briefly to the gesture before returning to her face. “Hm,” he murmured, the sound carrying enough skepticism to be deeply insulting.
Her eyes narrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?” she demanded, taking a step towards him as though challenging him to explain himself.
“It means,” the Duke replied calmly, “that you improperly arrived at my house in the middle of the night.”
Her cheeks heated at once. That was hardly fair. She had been desperate that night, cornered by circumstances and running out of options. Yet the Duke spoke of it as though she had climbed through his window armed with a pistol.
“You make it sound scandalous,” she said, lifting her chin as she fixed him with an indignant look.
His expression remained infuriatingly calm as he looked down at her. “It was scandalous,” he replied without hesitation.
“It was practical,” Seraphine shot back, folding her arms across her chest.
“It was reckless,” he countered, not missing a beat.
“It was necessary,” she insisted, taking a small step forward.
His words should not have affected her. Yet they did. Something in the way he said them made her heart stumble unexpectedly.
Annoying. Very annoying.
She looked away for a moment, gathering herself, only to find that the Duke was still watching her. His gaze was steady and intent.
“You had better not behave inappropriately in my sister's home,” he said at last, his tone deceptively mild.
Seraphine stared at him in disbelief. “Inappropriately?” she repeated, her eyebrows shooting upward.
Drawing herself up to her full height, she attempted to look imposing. Unfortunately, the Duke still towered over her by several inches.
“I shall have you know, Your Grace,” she said with great dignity, “that I will be the picture of the good girl.”
A strange gleam appeared in his eyes. Then came that infuriating smirk. Not a full smile. Somehow worse. The sort of expression that suggested he knew something she did not. Seraphine immediately distrusted it.
“Will you indeed?” he asked, one dark eyebrow lifting.
“Yes,” she replied firmly, refusing to be intimidated.
His gaze swept over her face, lingering just long enough to make her uncomfortably aware of it. He looked entirely entertained by the conversation. As though he was enjoying himself. As though provoking her had become a favorite pastime.
Before she could demand an explanation for that ridiculous smirk, the front doors burst open behind them.
“Seraphine!” Thalia practically flew down the steps, skirts gathered in her hands as she hurried towards them. Her face lit up the moment she spotted her friend.
“There you are!” she exclaimed, reaching Seraphine and immediately seizing both her hands.
Seraphine laughed despite herself. “Good afternoon to you as well.”
Only then did Thalia glance between them. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as they landed on her brother.
“What have you done now, Damien?” she demanded.
The Duke looked deeply offended by the accusation. “I have done nothing,” he replied, spreading his hands slightly as though he were the injured party.
Seraphine, meanwhile, found herself smiling. Genuine excitement stirred within her. The house party had finally begun.
And judging by the look the Duke sent her before Thalia dragged her inside…
It promises to be anything but dull.
