"I do hope that's not too much of a request?"
The Duke offered with a slight nod of head and a sarcastic grin. It was as sarcastic as unnoticeable.
Only Ember could notice the sarcasm inked in his grin, which was quite frank because she had seen him up close to know it wasn't his usual grin.
Barrett adjusted his stance upon his recovery from the Duke's sudden request and cleared his throat.
"Sure. As long as she wouldn't be unchaperoned, that would be fine by me."
Barrett replied hastily, hoping he hadn't irked the Duke by his late response.
"Oh, but I think I would rather prefer if she is unchaperoned."
The Duke, with his response, soon knocks Barrett and Ember into another trance, and this time, it's not only them knocked into this trance. Everyone, including Viscount Bryne and Edward, blinked at him, taken aback by his request, tiny frowns on their faces.
"I want her alone. Or else you think of me to be someone that could harm her."
"No. Absolutely not, Your Grace. I do apologize if you felt offended by my remark."
"It's fine. I don't feel offended. Alright, then. Enjoy your evening, gentlemen, lady."
The Duke concluded, nodding respectfully to the men and then to Ember before turning around and immediately stalking away, two older men that had received him with delightful grins by the corner.
Their circle went silent at first upon the Duke's absence. Barrett was the first to break the silence with a clearing of his throat.
"How close are you with the Duke?"
Barrett asked Ember, turning towards her in a sudden swirl.
"I-I. We often spoke."
She would be out of her mind if she told him that the only time they'd spoken was at the Marshall ball. And even then, she was unchaperoned.
"How often? Can we trust him?"
"Of course, we can. Why do you think he would want to hurt her?"
It was Edward, cutting into the conversation before Ember allowed herself the words that lingered at the tip of her tongue.
To be frank, there were no other words that would've made it out.
And, she feared it might come out with a crack in her tone. Thank gracious for Edward's intervention.
"No, not that. It's just…"
Barrett trailed off, clearing his throat again. Everyone twisted their necks towards him, scowling at him.
He did seem odd, and with the worried creases on his forehead, something was wrong.
"Brother, is there something that bothers you?"
Ember probed with quirked brows at him as he adjusted his stance for the umpteenth time that night.
"I—I. Perhaps, h-has the Duke touched you, yet?"
Ember went rosy in her cheeks instantly, and Edward burst into a fit of laughter while Bryne just chuckled lightly at Barrett's sudden interrogative question.
"T-touched me, how?"
Barrett was about to respond, posing yet another interrogative question when Edward butted in again.
"Barrett, I hope you are aware Ember is clueless about what you meant by that question. Besides, it's not proper to ask such a question before the man she is to be married to."
Barrett threw his gaze at Bryne and slightly widened his eyes as if he was just recognizing his presence.
"I apologize if that sounded offensive."
Bryne waved a dismissive hand at Barrett.
"Not at all. I find your inquiry genuine and absurd at the same time. We all know the Duke is not that kind of man. He is quite too genuine and meek to do that. I doubt he would compromise any woman without first asking for her hand in marriage."
Edward and Barrett both nodded in agreement while Ember just watched them, glued to a spot.
The Duke had touched her. How could she ever forget the way he ran his fingers up her scar and caressed her lips? How could she forget the way it had made her feel? The roughness of his hand and its warmth. The way his knuckle rings brushed her skin slightly.
She had been weak to her knees. It was the first time she had ever felt something as such, so how could she forget?
☆
The gathering dragged along. Bryne engaged Ember in a lengthy conversation - maybe it was not all that long because Bryne was an introverted person. It just felt long because she wanted it to end soon - but she gave curt replies, her attention focused on the obvious.
She was going to be alone with the Duke. Again. She was not sure how she should feel about it. Excited? Nervous? Maybe both.
She had sworn the Duke would have moved on from whatever it was it felt for her. Hadn't it been past a month since their encounter at the ball already?
What could he want this time?
Well, she needn't ask the question further, for the Duke had just concluded with his speech and now walked towards her.
In a breath, he collected her from Viscount Bryne - who surrendered her willingly - and led her out of the library.
Dallas took a separate door from the front door, and they surprisingly burst outside, onto the alleyway.
Ember looked around as the chilly wind slapped her skin. After they danced everywhere, her gaze finally fell on the Duke, who had already had his gaze on her.
"Y-Your Grace, I would be very delighted to—"
"You are getting married, huh?"
"Yes, Your Grace. And, I would be delighted to get the blessing of this marriage from you."
She kept her gaze off him, knowing it was better that way. If she met his gaze for too long, all those feelings - heart pounding, stomach twisting, and some want she couldn't explain - would come back rushing like they never left.
She was a soon-to-be wife. She had to stop whatever feelings she had for him.
"You are not on your cape?"
Of course, she couldn't survive her brother's hesitation to go without her Cape, so she had to leave it behind. Luckily, only a few gazes got thrown her way at the gathering. The others simply didn't notice her existence.
"I thought that would be unnecessary since I'm now off the marriage mart."
Ember responded again, barely managing to escape the Duke's gaze again.
"Why are you avoiding my gaze?"
Ember froze.
"I think—"
"You think I'm out of the line?"
The Duke interrupted, feeling bitter at the reality of losing Ember to another man.
And, quite honestly, also a pang of regret.
Had he kept her that day, he invited her over to his home. Had he not erased her memories when he came fussing to the Dark Creek to save her?
Had all that not happened, maybe he wouldn't be in the middle of the dark alleyway, begging her to, at least, gaze at him.
"No, Your Grace. I—"
"Brooklyn."
The Duke instantly corrected. He had recalled correcting her like this before, but he doubted it would be an exemption from her memory loss of that day.
"What?"
"Call me Brooklyn. And, for the love of God, please look at me."
She slightly lifted her head, holding his dark gaze in the gloomy night. Just as she remembered from that night, it was as beautifully oceanic and intoxicating.
It was truly his charm.
"Call off your engagement."
"What?"
"Or, I would accuse your Viscount of treason and have him beheaded."
Ember's mouth fell open in shock.