Page 58 of Deviant Duchess
“He likes to play the fool from time to time, but I assure you, he is a man you want on your side,” Godric replied with grave seriousness.
Deborah started to chew on her bottom lip as her feelings churned wildly inside of her.
“Especially while facing that man,” Godric said, then nodded toward a group at the opposite end of the dining room.
Deborah followed his gesture, and her stomach tightened into knots as she saw Sylvester. She’d known he was going to be there. It was their entire reason for going. Her cheeks heated as she realized how much she’d let herself get distracted by the women Cedric was speaking with. She’d been so focused on them, she had missed Sylvester walking in.
“Be well, Your Grace,” Godric said, drawing her focus back.
He bowed his head toward her and took a step back. Her head swiveled back to him with a quickness, surprised that he was ending the conversation as abruptly as he started it.
“You are leaving?” She asked, “We have not even had dinner yet.”
Again, Godric’s lips twitched, but they quickly settled back into that flat line as his eyes scanned the room.
“I prefer a more solitary dining experience,” he murmured, distrust glimmering briefly in his eyes before he looked back at her and gave her an almost sympathetic look.
“Be well, Your Grace. And pray, stay away from any sharp objects this evening.”
Deborah’s brows lifted at his barb, but before she could reply, Godric turned and left. Her curiosity for her husband’s stoic friend grew, but she decided that the advice was good indeed. Tonight, no matter how much her hatred burned in her veins, she had to keep a cool head. With that in mind, she placed her glass down and walked toward Sylvester with her head held high and her shoulders back. She recognized the woman he was speaking to was the same one she had seen him with at the conservatory ball, but she paid her no mind as she turned her back on her and stepped between the two.
“Good evening, Lord,” she greeted coolly, “How pleasant it is to see you again so soon.”
Sylvester’s eyes narrowed in confusion, then widened as realization dawned on him. He cleared his throat and took a step back, as if she were dangerous.
“Yes, indeed it is,” he answered, his polite tone and smile obviously forced.
“I have not seen you in an age! Come, step away with me a moment and tell me how you are.”
Sylvester’s grip was quick and tight around her upper arm, but Deborah allowed him to lead her away from the others.
“What are you doing?” He hissed under his breath once they were away from the others.
“I should ask you the same thing,” she replied coldly, “Ruining my sister was not enough for you? You had to find another innocent to destroy?”
Sylvester’s face twisted into a quiet snarl.
“Your sister was not as innocent as you would like to hope,” he whispered angrily, “Trust when I say, it did not take much on my part to pry her away her innocence.”
Rage surged through Deborah at once, threatening to overtake her coolness.
“Lies,” she hissed through gritted teeth, “Despicable lies. Once I will set right here and now if it means saving another woman from your disgusting whims. I know my sister is not your only victim.”
Sylvester jerked her in his grip, sending pain lancing up to her shoulder as he let out a soft snarl.
“You will not speak to her, do you understand?” He warned, “You nearly played me at the auction, but I recognize you now. And I will-”
Sylvester suddenly stopped speaking as Deborah felt a warm, solid arm wrap around her waist and tug her backward into a muscled chest. Through her rage, she felt that telltale tingle of warmth and desire as she recognized Cedric’s scent.
“Thank you for not letting my wife fall, Fairborne, but I assure you I have her now.”
Cedric’s deep voice was calm as he spoke, but even so, Deborah detected the whisper of threat behind the polite cadence. Sylvester blinked, then, as if he had heard it as well, uncurled his fingers from Deborah’s arm. At once, Cedric pulled her closer, placing his other hand over the throbbing pain Sylvester’s punishing grip had left behind. He massaged it carefully, soothing away a bit of the sting as he stared intensely at Sylvester; his charming smile unwavering as usual.
“Your wife should be more careful,” Sylvester said carefully, taking a step back from both of them. He narrowed his eyes as he lowered his gaze to her. “She knows not where she steps.”
Deborah glared back at him in challenge.
“I assure you she knows precisely where she places her perfect little feet,” Cedric replied in that same cordial tone, “It is you that must be careful. Woe be the man that gets in the way of her heels.”
