Page 59 of Deviant Duchess
Deborah’s heart somersaulted as she glanced up at Cedric, amazed at his talent for doublespeak.
“Guide her steps, Your Grace,” Sylvester replied with a hard tone, “Or I will do so for you.”
Deborah watched as Cedric’s usual charming smile shifted into one of pure hostility.
“Are you threatening mywife, Fairborne?” Cedric asked, shifting Deborah behind him so there was nothing between them.
Too curious not to watch, Deborah peeked around Cedric’s left side. Pleasure bloomed in her as Sylvester’s harsh gaze wavered under Cedric’s challenging stare.
“The guest list to this party is severely underwhelming,” Sylvester all but grunted. “I believe I am no longer in the mood to dine with such…guests.”
“So very sad to hear,” Cedric mocked as Sylvester walked back to his companion.
Sylvester did not stop moving; he did not even look back. Instead, he took the arm of the woman he was with, whispered something in her ear, and they walked to the host to say farewell.
“Outside,” Cedric growled through gritted teeth as he turned and placed his hand on her lower back.
Deborah did not argue; instead, she let him lead her out to the far balcony. Once they were alone, Cedric lifted her arm andgently prodded the area where Sylvester’s fingers had gripped her.
“Does it hurt?” He asked, tugging up the fabric of her gown to inspect the skin.
“Not much,” Deborah replied, but she watched his eyes darken as he revealed a small bruise.
“What were you thinking?” Cedric hissed, his gaze wrenching toward her eyes. “We were supposed to listen and watch tonight. I told you what Godric discovered about the other auctions!”
Deborah immediately grew indignant at his harsh tone, and she wrenched her arm away from his grasp.
“So?” She whispered angrily.
Cedric’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“So?”He repeated sarcastically, “So he could make you disappear into one of those auctions. So he could find a moment to take you from me and make you pay for trying to humiliate him tonight!”
Hurt and fear had Deborah tensing and feeling defensive.
“What do you care if he would do so? It is obvious that there are many women who miss you. I am sure they would ease any pain you might feel from my disappearance,” she snapped coldly.
Cedric’s mouth dropped open so quickly that if she were not so mad at him, she might have found it comical.
“Are you…jealous?” He asked, cocking his head to the side as he took a step closer.
Heat bloomed in Deborah’s cheeks, but as she hastened to take a step away, she felt her back hit the stone railing of the balcony.
“No!”She snapped. “Why would I-”
Cedric’s kiss was bold and sudden, cutting off not just her words but her train of thought. When he pulled away, it left her breathless and dizzy- and wanting more.
“Do not get distracted from your plan by such silly notions,” Cedric whispered vehemently.
She immediately hated that he was right.
“I was playing a part by speaking to those women,” he went on, his forehead pressed tight against hers, “When they compete, they try to out-gossip one another; I was trying to discover if any other noblewomen in poor straits have gone missing. My next step was to speak with their husbands and speak of mistresses. Iamhelping you, Deborah.”
Deborah winced, feeling foolish for getting so caught up in this new possessive side of her and letting herself lose focus on her ultimate goal. She had nearly fumbled everything.Again.
“Allow me to take the lead on this,” Cedric said.
Deborah leaned back away from his forehead and glared at him. His tone suggested it was a request, but she knew it was more of a command.
