Page 20 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

“I would like to speak with your brother,” he said softly as they continued on their walk.

Cora wanted to discuss the kiss. What did he feel? Suddenly, she missed the openness of her conversations with Damion. Wasn’t Christoper curious how it made her feel?

She stopped and faced him. “Do you desire me, Christopher?”

He turned bright red. “Of course, I do.”

Cora bit her lip, uncertain. “Truly.”

Christopher laughed awkwardly. “Yes, I wouldn’t be about to propose marriage if I didn’t. We talked about this before I left. We are perfectly matched.”

Yet, Cora was concerned that they weren’t. No, this was Damion’s fault. His lessons had somehow muddled her thoughts. She wanted to marry Christopher, and she wouldn’t let some wayward duke change her mind. “I hope your conversation goes well with my brother.”

He beamed at her as they re-entered the ballroom. Lord Hawley waved them over to a group he stood with. “Join us. Bellamy, we want you to tell us about your time in Tuscany.”

Christopher nodded, grinning, but Cora released his arm. “I think I will fetch some punch.”

“Shall I go with you?” Christopher asked, but it was clear he was more interested in joining the group waiting on him.

She forced herself to smile. “Go.”

Cora needed to be alone and away from the crowd. Annoyance flared in her that even though Christopher appeared to be on the cusp of proposing, she was distracted by the Duke of Blythe. She hurried not to the refreshments but to the gallery, needing a quieter space than the ballroom and gardens.

***

Damion stood in the gallery with Meredith. He was surprised they were the only ones in the room. Still, it was a nice night. He supposed most of the revelers would venture outside when they needed a break from the ballroom. He clenched his jaw, remembering when he spotted Bellamy escorting Cora to the terrace.

The overwhelming urge to plant his fist in the man’s face had consumed him. He was lucky Meredith requested he walk with her.

“Why are you glaring at that scenic landscape? It isn’t the best I’ve seen, but I’m not sure it deserves the glower of the Duke of Blythe.”

He took a deep breath. “It is nothing.”

“You can like her, Damion. Rest assured, my heart isn’t breaking.”

Damion turned to her, surprised. She smirked. “Lady Cora. The stares between the two of you are filled with so much longing.”

He tugged at his cravat, not responding. Meredith laughed. “We are friends. You don’t have to deny it to me.”

“The lady and I are acquaintances.”

“I wish my acquaintances looked at me in such a way,” she said, amused.

“Plenty of men look at you,” Damion said. An unusual sadness hung over his friend.

He stepped closer to her. She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. Still, you and I are a lot alike, but do you know what the main difference is?”

Damion shook his head.

“While we both loved and married someone who didn’t return our affection. I’m still wedded to mine. You, Damion, the Duke of Blythe, are free to love again. You shouldn’t deny yourself the chance.”

He was stunned by her words. Meredith presented a carefree façade to the world. She never once acted as if her husband’s actions bothered her one way or another. Still wounded souls understood each other. He saw the pain his friend kept hidden from most.

“Don’t look at me that way. I don’t want your pity,” Meredith said firmly. “I’m only pointing out that you are not stuck in my situation.”

He would not open his heart again. Once was enough. “You are misinformed. The lady's affection is for Bellamy.”

An unladylike snort escaped her, and she playfully swatted him on the arm. “You are such a liar, Damion.”