Page 41 of To Ensnare a Duke

I blink at him, donning the best mask of innocence I can. "Why, I am to attend a ball tonight. Isn't that grand?"

"Simply splendid."

My aunt smiles and shakes her head. "Oh, come now. Surely you have your eye on some eligible lady who might be in attendance?"

My stomach clenches as I stare at the man. How could I not have thought he'd pine for another? But then, would he be so scandalous toward me if he were?

"You're too kind, but my heart is sworn off of marriage. For this season at least. I have my hands far too full of watching out for my friend's dearest little sister."

She harrumphs as she slathers a bit of jam on her bread. "You cannot wait forever. Youth will fade as fast as the setting sun. Remember that."

"Yes, my lady. I will remember." A ghost of a smile twitches his lips as goes back to his paper.

"Yes," I interrupt, "But what of tonight? It might be that I'll finally catch the eye of some dashing Alpha who'll come in and sweep me off my feet in a torrid romance. Why, we might be engaged by the end of the evening."

"Not likely," he growls, sliding a dark glare my way.

"Why, Your Grace. Do you not feel as if I'm in a position to set my cap at any Alpha who captures my fancy?"

He closes the paper and sets it down with a grunt. "You are one omega of dozens who will be there tonight. The Alphas in attendance will be far fewer. Thus, more than one of you will be vying for one of them. I dare say it will be a bloodbath. Only the most eligible will attend, and of those, only a few are remotely suitable. Best to set your cap at a beta. Though they be beneath you in stature, they will have less reason to ruin you."

"Fie," my aunt cries out. "All this talk is depressing. I have been informed that a trip to Hyde Park is in order?"

"Yes," the duke smiles, his eyes turning cold. "I fear I have been remiss in my duties as protector. How is your our Lady Hunt to be seen if she is confined in doors all day?"

My aunt's face falls as she brings her coffee to her lips. Her old hands shake ever so slightly, a tremor which has gotten worse as years go by.

"Such a good girl, my Augusta. I cannot do as much for her as I'd like, and I loathe sending her out with her maid. To keep her here with me has done my heart good. But you are right. It's not fitting for others to not see her out and about."

Guilt slams into me at my aunt's words. To hear her say it, I'm a paragon, the picture of grace and humility. It would send her to her grave to know how many times I've been out and about without a chaperone.

But then, perhaps that's the duke's plan all along. He sits there, smug as he sips his coffee. If he hopes to guilt and shame me into changing my actions, then he will be waiting for quite some time.

Only one thing can truly settle my heart and make my spirit calm. Unfortunately, it's his strong hand guiding me in the most physical way. As I see it, I'm well and truly damned.

CHAPTER 20

BENEDICT

Istudy Augusta as she sits side saddle, her lips screwed up in concentration. Is it discomfort? Honesty, I cannot tell, and it drives me to distraction. What happened last night cannot and will not happen again. I came far too close to ripping every shred of honor from her luscious body.

Even now, as I close my eyes, I can see her writhing before me, her mind so far gone from the pain I inflicted on her. Have I ever rendered a woman such? Normally, I stop before my ministrations are damaging, and to my knowledge, not one of my ladybirds has ever slipped into a such a state where time and place has no meaning.

Peering at the young omega as she tosses her head, flashing glances at all the men we pass by, I can't help but wonder if she remembers any of it. When I took her home last night, she promptly fell asleep. The chit didn't so much as stir when I removed her dress, leaving her to sleep in her shift.

And when she looks at me… There's not even a hint of recognition. True, she shifts about on her horse and grimaces ever so slightly. But her gaze does not hold me in contempt. Granted, she did rather earn the punishment part of last night.

Maybe she's so filled with remorse that she doesn't remember me fucking her arse with the ginger as I forced her to come for me. That has to be it. Any other innocent like her would be all blushes and bumbling speeches. Not her. Not Augusta.

In some ways, I admire her plucky spirit. In others, I feel bad for the poor chap who ends up with her. She has an insatiable curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for life. It will certainly keep him on his toes.

How I wish to write to Lord Hardon and explain the situation, telling him why I must step back from watching his sister. But to do so would reveal what has passed between us. Best to get these next few balls done with so the men can come preening over her.

I lied when I told her the men have other omegas to consider. Though she may not be considered a diamond, her beauty outshines even the omega the queen granted her favor toward. Though Augusta may not have all the grace and refinement many of the Alphas are looking for, she makes up for it with her quick wit and bright spirit.

A man would have to be deaf, blind, and mute not to notice her. My balls tighten as I watch her navigate the mare while holding a conversation with her aunt in the landau beside us. Such perfection. Such beauty. Such innocence.

Seeing her break for me, her mind scattered as I tormented her, is a memory I will hold dear in my heart forever. But knowing her fragile mind cannot take my level of affection, even as a form of punishment… It was the last piece to the puzzle needed to firm my resolve.