Page 28 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

He shook his head. Meredith was over-imagining things. Cora made her choice, and it wasn’t him. He glanced across the way, and a jolt shot through him. Cora was here. Damion watched as Bellamy escorted her to a seat in her family box. Jeremy was with them but seemed to be studying Harrington’s box, envious.

Meredith followed his gaze, and she frowned. “She didn’t accept a proposal from Bellamy, did she?”

“I don’t know.”

He studied Cora as she laughed at something Bellamy said. His hand tightened on his glass of champagne. He needed to relax, or he would break the stem in half. As if sensing his stare, Cora looked his way. Something powerful flared between them. Her gaze flicked to Meredith.

“Would you like me to flirt with you?”

He shook his head, not interested in any games when it came to Cora. Why had she chosen Bellamy? Damn it. She deserved so much more. Cora looked away first. He took a sip of the bubbly drink.

Finally, he turned and faced Meredith, who stared at him worried. “I’m sorry, Damion. She is a fool.”

“She’s wanted him since she was a young girl. The heart wants what the heart wants.”

“You and I both know that doesn’t always end the way we think. It is a dream that is often not based on the heart or attraction.”

She was right, but he wouldn’t force Cora to wed him. She needed to decide what was right for her. A bell chimed, indicating the start of the opera. The majority of the gas lamps were extinguished, starting the show. He sat in silence, pretending to pay attention to the show, but in truth he watched Cora. Damion wished he was seated next to her, not Bellamy.

While the theater was darker, Damion could still see her. She glanced his way often, and he wondered what she was thinking. He should stop watching her, knowing it made her nervous, but her legs wrapped around his body in the Stanton library lingered in his mind. Her breathy moans and the shudder that coursed through her when she climaxed would be something he’d never forget.

Every moment with her at the Stanton Country Estate felt like something more than a brief liaison. Was it truly one-sided? She was here with Bellamy. It must be. Or maybe all the things he tried to explain to her didn’t matter as much as her girlhood dream. Still, he hated that she might one day regret her choice.

Damion pondered traveling. He wasn’t sure he could resist or not hate himself if he was the one she turned to if her marriage failed. No, he wanted something different from Cora than a few trysts.

The crowd stood and began to clap, making Damion realize it was intermission. Meredith rose. “Let’s mingle. You can’t sit here and glower. You are the Duke of Blythe, a shameless flirt. What will they think if they see you with such a sour expression on your face?”

He sighed but followed the rest of their group out of the box. They reached the area with refreshments and immediately wished he would have stayed seated. Cora, Bellamy, and Stanton were there as well. Stanton saw him and headed in his direction with his sister and Bellamy behind him.

Meredith frowned. “I’m sorry.”

“It is fine.”

Stanton grinned at him. “All of you looked like you were having the best time.”

Meredith nodded. “We are. Blythe is so much fun to be around.”

He didn’t respond. Instead, Damion watched Cora, who studied them intently. Bellamy stepped closer. “I’ve promised Lady Cora that she would have all my attention for the rest of the Season.”

Why was the young lord yammering on about paying attention to Cora? He should do it, and then no explanation would be needed. If Cora were his, she nor anyone else would ever question his devotion.

Bellamy held his arm out to her. “May I escort you to retrieve some lemonade?”

Her eyes lingered on Damion a little longer, but finally she beamed at Bellamy. “Yes, thank you.”

“Blythe promised me that he’d take me to a gaming hell that allows ladies, so we will be off too,” Meredith said.

Cora flinched. Damion knew Meredith was trying to help, but he wished she hadn’t. Cora and Bellamy walked away. She didn’t look back.

Stanton sighed. “If I didn’t have to keep an eye on Bellamy, I’d join you. Enjoy your evening.”

Damion nodded goodbye and then, when Stanton left, turned to Meredith. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I think she misses you. I wanted to see what her reaction would be.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not interested in playing games with Lady Cora.”

She looped her arm through his. “Well, at least neither of us must sit through the rest of the opera. Let’s leave. I will have my driver drop you off. I have an appointment with a gentleman friend.”