The Blind Duke

by Emma Brady

  "I should pummel that arrogant ass," Thomas said through gritted teeth.

  "I don't know who you are talking about." She tried to pretend she was fine but he wasn't going to let her.

  "You don't have to protect him. The idiot confronted your cousin right in front of me."

  Her body trembled as she cried harder against his coat.

  "You must think I'm a complete fool for letting myself get caught in such a situation." Pressing her face into his coat muffled her voice.

  "There's nothing foolish about trusting those you think are your friends."

  "I couldn't tell the difference between a friend and an enemy."

  "The trusting nature you have is a gift and one of the best things about you."

  Eloisa pulled away slightly but didn't leave the circle of his arms. He enjoyed the warmth of her body being pressed against his. Her scent was wrapped around him, stronger than the coming rain.

  "He accused me of being manipulative and misleading." Her voice waivered. "I have never been either of those as far as I know."

  "That man is just a sore loser. He doesn't like the idea that someone would refuse to be in his company. That doesn't give him the right to force himself on a woman."

  "Sarah never gave him any fake encouragement and neither did I."

  "Then he has no one to blame but himself."

  "He was adamant that it was my fault."

  Thomas cupped the soft skin of her cheek in his palm. He felt it startle her, but she didn't pull away.

  "That's because he's not a gentleman." Thomas rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Nothing he said matters and you shouldn't let it bother you. You know who you are and that's what counts."

  "I'm a stubborn woman who is trying to control everything." There was still a little wobble in her voice.

  "No, you are someone who is looking out for the best interest of her cousin. You would not have done anything that you didn't think would help her." Thomas tried to give her a small smile. "You wouldn't let me within ten feet of her if you didn't think I could make her happy. You are a fierce enemy to have."

  She didn't reply, but he could hear the sniffling as she thought about what he said. She was not shaking anymore, so her emotions must have been calming down, but she made no movements to push away from him. Thomas was glad, since he enjoyed holding her like this. It was so rare for her to be vulnerable. He felt like he was being let in on a little secret, that she wasn't untouchable.

  "I truly do think you can make a woman much happier than he ever could," she said in a soft whisper.

  He wondered if he could make a woman like her happy. It would be a wonderful challenge. Before he could stop himself Thomas leaned in and presses his mouth to hers. He thought she would push him away but she didn't. That only encouraged him to want more.

  Spreading one hand across her back, Thomas pressed her closer so that her head tilted up at a better angle. She tasted so sweet and soft, like none of the experienced women he had kissed before. His heart pounded when he felt her hands slide up to cling to his shoulders. That gave his hunger free reign to deepen the kiss. He wanted more than he had gotten behind the curtain.

  Letting his tongue run along the seal of her lips, he didn't hesitate when they parted. With a passionate surge he dipped into her sweet mouth, wanting to taste everything. He gave himself up to the greedy need until he could feel her struggling for breath.

  "I shouldn't be taking advantage of you." Thomas pulled away to place kisses along her jaw. "I shouldn't yet I can't figure out how to stop."

  "I don't want you to stop."

  The thick sultry sound of her voice saying those words only made him hunger for her more. To know that she wanted it as much as he did even if she was too innocent to know what that meant, was beyond tempting. Even though he had wanted to protest, his mouth refused to listen. There was no reasoning with passion once it was ignited.

  Thomas let his hands pass between them to where the buttons were on her jacket. He managed to undo them without breaking the kiss, proving he still had some of his rakish skills. Eloisa 's skin felt softer than rose petals were his fingers stroked along the neckline of her dress. He was carefully listening to her whimpers as he slipped one hand under the fabric to caress the fullness of her breast. The nipple was already hard and rubbing against his palm where he reached beneath her corset.

  Somewhere in the distance there was the sound of thunder. Thomas could feel the coolness of the wind as it whipped around them. It made her body feel that much warmer when he touched her. He was so focused on Eloisa in his arms that he was shocked by the splatter of rain that hit him.

  "Bloody hell."

  Thomas hadn't meant to curse in front of her, but it was the only fitting response as they both got quickly soaked by the rain. This was no light sprinkle but a genuine downpour. Grabbing her hand, Thomas pulled Eloisa in the direction of the mazes exit.

  "How do you know which way it is to get out?"

  "Because of my special circumstances I have developed an excellent memory when it comes to pathways."

  Without conscious effort he had memorized each turn he had taken when he came into the maze, so it was easy to follow them backward toward the exit with his cane to keep them from hitting the brush. He tried to move as quickly as possible since the rain fell heavily. Eloisa could still have complained about being dragged along, but she didn't. Instead she did an admirable job of keeping up and arranging her clothes back into some manner of decency.

  Once they were free of the maze Thomas only quickened his steps. He didn't hear anything but the thunder and rain. That meant that everyone was already inside. It wouldn't take long for her to be missed and it would do damage to Eloisa's reputation. As he approached, he went towards the doors that led into the dining room. He figured there would be less chance of him running into someone there.

  "We should part ways here, in case anyone finds us." Thomas said, slipping them into the house quietly. "It looks less suspicious if we are just two people alone than together."

  "Wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea."

  Her voice caught his attention. "I'm only trying to protect your reputation."

  "The only risk to my reputation is being around you."

  "So now this is my fault?"

  Her sigh echoed in the quiet of the room. "No. It's my fault. I spent my whole life watching people from the outside but I never learned how they worked."

  "You are not on the outside anymore."

  "Which is why I don't know what I'm doing."

  Thomas wanted to say the right words to comfort her but they eluded him. This was the moment for brilliance and he had none. All he could do was mumble an apology that even to his own ears sounded ridiculous.

  "I wish you wouldn't assume this had everything to do with you." Eloisa said. "It makes you sound arrogant. I would have ended up in that sort of situation if you were there or not. At least I had you to rescue me this time."

  "You make me sound like a hero." A ridiculous notion.

  "It's better than being the villain."

  "I'm more suited to the evil role."

  "No, I think you are capable of being both but are more comfortable being bad."

  "Go with what you know." He let out a chuckle of self-loathing.

  The room was silent, with only the sound of the storm outside. Neither of them wanted to be the first to leave but if one of them didn't they would be discovered soon. As much as he wanted to stay, Thomas decided he would have to be the one to go. There was no need for a good-bye.

  Chapter 11

  THE SIZE OF THE BALLROOM should determine the size of the guest list but in London that wasn't always the case. The ballroom Eloisa found herself in three days after the storm had been painted in various shades of blue, making it appropriate that they were packed in like a school of fish. There was hardly room to breathe yet they continued to attempt to dance. Eloisa tried to make tiny steps with her current partner, Lord Fulle
rton.

  "I'm not stepping on your toes am I?" The handsome young lord asked as they barely avoided running into another pair. "I'm not used to moving in such tight spaces."

  "No and you should be commended for it." Eloisa found him to be easy to talk to, compared to the other gentlemen she had met. "I don't know what the hostess might have been thinking inviting so many people to such a small space."

  "I doubt she expected them all to attend. Usually there are at least a few that decline."

  "I think everyone in London came." Eloisa winced as another dancer stepped on the hem of her dress.

  "That is partially your own fault," he said, trying to steer her away from another mishap. "Or at least your cousin's. Everyone has noticed she is being courted by the Duke of Ashford."

  "Has that become public knowledge?" Eloisa knew that the two gentlemen were friends, but didn't think Thomas would mention his pursuit.

  "Gossip has a way of appearing out of nowhere."

  Eloisa didn't think the ton was paying that much attention to them. It made her nervous to think people might be watching the courtship as she manipulated it.

  "Have I already lost your attention?"

  She realized she had been staring past Lord Fullerton while he talked. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to find my cousin in this crush of people."

  "I believe she is talking to the man in question, over to the left."

  As he turned her slightly she could see both of them standing near the edge of the crowd. Thomas said something that made Sarah laugh. Eloisa felt her stomach tighten

  "They make an attractive couple." Alex said. "You must be happy for your cousin."

  "Of course. They look lovely together."

  Something about that statement hurt Eloisa to admit. When she looked at them, they were beautifully matched. Both of them were so golden in their coloring that they practically glowed. Sarah had worn a gown of soft rose that made her skin a subtle pink and it matched the delicate red of his evening vest. Eloisa couldn't even bare to look at them for more than a moment.

  "Do you think it will take long for Thomas to win your cousin's favor enough to make an announcement?" Lord Fullerton asked.

  She let him continue to guide her around without looking at them. "No, I imagine it will all be settled very soon."

  Alex's face formed a frown. Eloisa hadn't stopped to consider that he might be enamored of her cousin as well. He was a handsome young gentleman, but not nearly on the same level as Thomas. She doubted Sarah would even remember meeting the fellow. It was best if she didn't give him any false hope.

  "I believe my cousin is close to accepting his proposal, once he has made it." With less than a week until the Duke's ball, she hoped that was true.

  At first his frowned deepened, then it disappeared. Once again he was the smiling partner he had been before. Clearly he wasn't deeply hurt by the news.

  "What about you then? Do you also have a suitor struggling to win your hand?" asked Alex.

  "No, I'm afraid I'm lacking in both beauty and dowry, so I'm beyond all hope," she said with a laugh she had practiced over the last few years. "Some women just aren't meant to be wives."

  One of his finely arched eyebrows went up. "That idea doesn't bother you?"

  Eloisa gave him the same answer she had been giving for years. "I'm a content woman, with or without a man. I have learned to please myself."

  The young lord choked on something temporarily and she was forced to give him a hard pat on the back. That was the reaction she often got from men, though she couldn't understand why. Perhaps they were uncomfortable with a woman's independence.

  "I have never heard a woman make such a bold statement." Alex had regained his composure. "I doubt you even know how bold it was."

  Eloisa felt her eyebrows draw together at his cryptic comment. No one had ever called her bold before, but she rather liked the idea.

  "I tried to participate in the marriage market when I came here for my first season." Eloisa found it easy to converse with Alex. "It was hardly a success."

  "I heard your mother died shortly after."

  "She passed at the end of it."

  A lump threatened to form in her throat but she swallowed it away. The absence of her mother had made a difficult situation worse. It might have gone much better if she’d had a woman's influence and guidance. She gave Alex a sharp nod as she pushed away those thoughts.

  "Why haven't you been back since?" he asked.

  "I had the opportunity to travel with my father. That was much more exciting than these sorts of events."

  "Don't let our hostess hear you say that or she might be crushed."

  Eloisa giggled at his mocking tone. No one was ever supposed to voice a negative opinion about society, regardless of how true it might be.

  "How come I don't recall meeting you during my one season?"

  "At that time I was still a bit of a rakehell, preferring to spend my time playing cards and other games that gentlemen enjoy."

  "Now you don't?"

  "My luck changed."

  The humor in his face vanished, replaced by a chilling mask. There was still a smile, but it no longer reached his eyes. They were hard now, glaring out above her head. She shivered in his arms.

  "I find that I am now in desperate need of a wife with a sizable dowry," said Lord Fullerton.

  A man such as Alex, with a good title and good standing would have no trouble finding a willing heiress. It was just a matter of business, exchanging money for status. Eloisa was glad that she had no dowry, so that she would never have to worry about being pursued for it.

  "Don’t look so sad for me," said Alex. "It was my own careless actions that brought me to this. A man must pay for his sins eventually."

  "Did you sin as much as the gossips said?"

  "No one ever does as much as the gossips claim." He gave her a wink. "But I tried."

  Eloisa tried to imagine what it might have been like if she had met him during her one season in town. He wouldn't have been as charmed by her as he was now, because Thomas hadn't been. The two gentlemen were similar in their interests. Perhaps she had changed more than she realized.

  The song ended and Alex began leading her back towards her cousin. A large crowd had gathered around both her and Thomas. Everyone was so smiling and happy, that she felt like she would be interrupting them with her presence. She didn't want to be the person that ruined the perfect picture. Making an excuse to Alex, Eloisa disappeared into the crowd in the opposite direction.

  Hoping to find a place where she could enjoy a few moments alone, she tried to make her way to the doors leading out of the tiny ballroom. That was impossible in the crush of people, so she decided to escape outside through the large glass doors. She wasn't the only one who went out to get some fresh air and the garden was crowded with groups of people. It felt good to close her eyes and take a deep breath.

  "What a coincidence finding you out here."

  The sharp tone of Lady Harris's voice broke through her calm and made her wince. She took a slow breath before turning to face the abominable woman. As always, she wore a highly fashionable dress with layers of necessary frills and decoration. Both the timid lady’s maid and the annoying lapdog were missing, but that didn't improve things. Being alone with her wasn't likely to make it easier.

  "Why is that, my lady?" Eloisa hoped her voice sounded sincere.

  "I always find you alone." The lady tilted her head back so she looked down her pointed nose at Eloisa. "I suppose that might explain your unmarried state."

  Eloisa was slightly surprised that the lady would be so bold in her attack even if they were alone. "I believe you are also out here without an escort so that hardly indicates a character flaw. Perhaps I just don't want to subject myself to the company of those I don't like."

  The old lady’s face brightened a deeper red beneath the paint she wore. Few people had ever spoken to her in such a way, but she richly deserved it. Age and status alo
ne shouldn't give you the right to treat people in such a way.

  Lady Harris narrowed her eyes at Eloisa. "You have been given too much freedom, young lady. It has ruined your manners."

  "It has simply ruined my patience with things I don't care for."

  With a broad smile she stepped around the outraged lady and continued to head away from the house. Once she was certain she was far enough away that no one could hear, Eloisa erupted into giggles. Remembering the look on Lady Harris's face made her laugh until tears ran down her face.

  "I wonder what has made you so happy." Thomas appeared from the direction of the house wearing a bemused smile. "I hope I'm not the subject of your amusement."

  Feeling lighter than normal Eloisa said. "Have you done something I would find amusing?"

  "Someone else must be making you laugh like that. I admit that I'm jealous of that person."

  "You shouldn't be. I was laughing at myself." Eloisa saw him raise an eyebrow. "I have become bold recently and find I like it a great deal."

  Then it was Thomas’s turn to laugh. "I assumed you had always been like this. It's hard for me to imagine you another way."

  "As I recall, you can't remember me at all. I've decided to count it as a stroke in my favor. "

  "But that doesn't mean I can't imagine what you were like. I often think I missed out by not spending more time with you back then."

  "There must be more interesting things to think about than my past behavior." Eloisa laughed again, letting the sound bubble up without restraint. "I barely even care to think of it. I was dull enough to put you to sleep."

  "Then I would simply dream about you."

  The cool night air grew warmer as Eloisa gazed up into his blue eyes. There was a respectable distance between them, but she felt as if he was so much closer. His body radiated heat, and she found her hands were compelled to touch him. Without thought she reached for him, placing a hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  "You shouldn't be doing that, it's not proper." He spoke but didn't open his eyes.