Dinner was going from worse to worst. She'd picked up the wrong fork and had quickly changed it but not before lady Haversat and the duchess had noticed. Her hands were trembling no matter how much she willed them to stay still. Sir Huntley at her side looked too sour to talk to and lady Jillian was talking entirely too much. Lady Rogers was just across her looking too beautiful and perfect. All Charming table manners and delightful laughter. The duchess' eyes warmed whenever she looked at Catherine and went cold when she looked at Missandrei.
No one needed to tell her the obvious. She wasn't accepted here. This wasn't her scene. There were three colors of hair at the table. Blonde , golden and brown with sligt color deviations in each. She felt odd . The Duke's hair was a unique pitch black but nobody could deny he was where he was supposed to be.
Her, she felt like an imposter. A mere Baron's daughter reaching higher than she ought. She kept mute while conversation flowed around her. If she opened her mouth , she'd say the wrong thing.
"Is there a problem with the soup my dear. You aren't eating" the duchess inquired. All conversation stopped
"ah. no. It's- er- a tasty soup"
"how would you know. You haven't tasted it" she raised a brow
"it looks divine" her stomach curled in terror. Everybody was watching her " I'm allergic to ginger" she said .
Nobody moved "It bloats me up and makes me sick. I'd be attached to the chamber pot for days" she laughed nervously.
"oh dear" lady Jillian gasped looking outraged .
" forgive me" she was quick to say "I'm sure you won't all get sick after eating. I'm sure the soup is safe" she picked up the wrong spoon. Peered up and noticed then dropped it , reaching for her glass of wine. Her hand was shaking so badly that the thing tipped and sloshed all over her. She shrieked.
The duchess looked furious . Lady Wellington looked disgusted . Lady Rogers looked pitiful. The countess looked amused .it was the bloody amusement she couldn't take. All her life the countess had laughed at her like she was the entertainment .
What a silly girl. That dress is so hilarious. Her hair looks like it was dipped in tomatoes. She amuses me my Lord .
She shot up from the table so fast the soup spilled on her. She didn't dare look at the Duke's face. She ran. She should have kept her mouth shut . She ran past the giggling servants and appalled looking cook. Then she was outside. Where she wasn't ever judged. She removed her shoes and felt the grass under her feet. Riding in the dark wasn't saying for Thunder so she opted for walking. She walked the trimmed pathway behind the estate feeling said with the sounds of fireflies and a distant owl.
She felt bound inside there. With the glittering walls and glittering people. She had thought being the next duchess would mean being free from really ridicule. It just got worse.
"Quite an exit"
She turned with a gasp. Luke was the least person she expected here. Did he chase after her? Why did that make her feel warm inside?
" I'm sorry" she wrung her hands , looking anywhere but at him. "I should have shut my mouth"
He said nothing. He just motioned at her to turn around. She did slowly . His finger traced a line from the back of her neck to the hollow of her throat. She shivered in anticipation, her nerves on fire. His hand dug into her hair then out then with careful fingers began to pull out the pins in her hair.
Her hair fell from its updo , cascading down her back . He sucked in a breath. Then he moved to her front and pulled off her gloves. When his bare hand covered hers , she felt faint. Something sparked within her. something she wanted to explore more of.
"When I was a boy , I was clumsy ,used to prefer getting mud stained outside than being inside. I stayed out here till the stars came out each night . Climbed trees and chased after squirrels" he said as they walked "it was what boys my age were meant to do. But I wasn't a boy my age ,I was the future duke. Sometimes I wish I had been born the fourth son of somebody"
"I became a Duke at fifteen. As soon as the news got out that my father was dead , everybody began to watch me. I thought I was ready . I wasn't . Sometimes I wanted to run to mother and cry" his hand tightened around hers "I wanted to be held too Missandrei"
Missy's throat closed up. She was about to say something when they suddenly stopped. She gasped . She had been so focused on him she hadn't noticed where they were. It was beautiful. The lake was clean and sparkling. Surrounded by tall trees . Standing here with luke seemed so magical. She pulled her hand away from his and dropped her shoes to the ground.
"what-" he began
She put a finger to her mouth then began to undo the laces of her dress. His eyes went dark and hooded. Her dress dropped to the ground. She bent and undid her stockings, then rolled them off. Her corset went to the ground next , her eyes locked unto his as she slid her stay off and then her shift. She stood naked before him , not feeling any of the cold of the night. She turned and flopped into the lake , the chill robbed her of her breath momentarily. Tonight she felt bold and daring. When she stepped out of the water , the Duke's coat , cravat and waist coat were gone. His shirt was unbuttoned and flying around him. She went to him , then placed her palm against his chest feeling the hard muscles and light dusting of hair beneath her palm. She pushed his shirt off entirely and gasped. Hard stomach with defined muscles and a patch of hair that led to his breeches. His arms were thick and muscled. His shoulders broad . He radiated masculine power . She loved it. Craved his touch . His body against hers. Her nipples were hard points and they pressed against him. She looked up at him.
His eyes were inky . Like molten larva. "not here"he whispered.
" Please. I need-" she stopped not knowing exactly what she needed "touch me" she pleased.
With a growl ,his mouth clashed against hers. She raised on her toes ,tilting her neck to further the contact of their mouth