Duke of Dishonor (Lords of Scandal 11)

They were sweeping up the stairs.

She knew they’d separate before they were announced. Which was better. But she allowed her fingers to play over the lean muscles in his biceps. She wanted to remember this moment forever.

The man who’d haunted her dreams was by her side and she’d enjoy that fact for as long as she was able.

The first part of the evening passed in a blur of colors and sound. The king’s orchestra was beyond compare as were the dresses of the attendees.

Everyone wore their finest for the king and it made Emily acutely aware of her own failings.

The dress she’d considered so beautiful seemed plain by comparison. She pressed her hands down the silk as she stood with her sisters in a line near the edge of the crowd.

Still, Brandon had asked her to dance and being in his arms had been beyond compare as they’d spun about the crowded floor.

A larger man of aging years passed by, the women around her dropping into a curtsy and automatically she did the same, dipping her head.

When she rose, he’d stopped in front of her, smiling. “What a lovely creature you are.”

Her mouth pressed together, wondering if being called a creature was a compliment or not, but she smiled anyway as Brandon appeared at her side. “My fiancée, Your Majesty.”

A ripple of shock and surprise coursed through her as the king gave Brandon a large smile. “No moss has grown about you, I see.” And then the man moved on.

“That was the king?” The words came out in a breathless gasp as she turned back to look at Brandon.

“Indeed,” Brandon answered. “My father committed his treason when His Majesty was our Regent, which was why he was lenient enough to leave me my title. He’d never give me the same grace now and I am very fortunate that he has allowed me back into society.”

That stabbed at Emily. Because she understood what wasn’t said in that sentence. Brandon’s position was tenuous at best. And if she truly loved him and wanted what was best for him, she’d set him free to find a better match with a well-connected family. She’d wanted to kiss him tonight. But as events unfolded, she realized this night needed an even gr

ander gesture. “Perhaps we should finish this conversation in a quieter place?”

Brandon glanced around and gave a single nod. “Agreed.”

Then he took her hand and started leading her away from her family. To her surprise no one said a word.

They slipped out of the house and into the cool night.

“What a lovely party,” she said as they made their way across the terrace. The clouds had vanished, and stars twinkled in the sky. “Everything shines a bit brighter at the palace.”

Brandon pulled her close as they stepped into shadow. His voice was a soft whisper in her ear. “His Majesty withdraws from society a little more each year. He rarely has such events these days.”

“For a man who hasn’t been part of society, you know a great deal about him.”

Brandon slipped an arm about her waist and suddenly she was pressed to his front, the heat from his body warming her in the cool night air. “Until very recently, all I wanted was to see my family’s reputation restored. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes as my father.”

She nodded, swallowing. “You know,” she took a ragged breath, preparing herself for her next words. “You haven’t actually asked me to marry you.”

“My,” he whispered close to her ear. “A grave mistake on my part.”

And then he began to kiss a trail over her cheek toward her mouth. “That isn’t…” But her words trailed off as his lips pressed to the corner of hers.

His arms were hard and so strong about her waist, his scent of sandalwood and leather wrapping about her. She gripped his biceps as he nipped at the side of her mouth again, tingling desire coursing through her.

His lips brushed over hers, light and teasing, making her knees weak.

She gasped but he swallowed the sound as he kissed her again. This time with more pressure, though the touch was still gentle.

She’d never been kissed before but if she’d dreamed of the way it would feel, this was better.

Her stomach swirled with sensations that pooled between her thighs. She squeezed his arms tighter as he pressed against her mouth a third time. Over and over he kissed her until it wasn’t enough.