Page 72 of To Ensnare a Duke

Even Augusta looks at me with a haughty eye, as if Teresa's words put her sin above mine. Not that I have actually done anything wrong this evening.

"Who is to take Miss Cynthia Campbell in hand seeing as she has no husband?" Whiteport muses, running his fingers along his lip as he stares at the girl in question. "I would suggest leaving it to her father, but then that would bring only shame and forced marriage into the equation."

It might be my imagination, but for a moment, Miss Campbell looks almost hopeful as she glances over at Norhaven. But then, that's ridiculous. Granted, I thought marrying Augusta was off the table as well, so stranger things have certainly happened.

"I do not wish her family to be burdened with this," Norhaven grinds out. "If there is no way else to make her see the error of her ways, then I will step in as a family friend to deliver a most needed punishment."

"You wouldn't!" She cries, her eyes twinkling as her lips twitch just a touch.

Norhaven looks away, but not before I see the blaze of lust in his eyes. "Our family is close to yours, and so my brother or I should take up the mantle as disciplinarian. Seeing as I am closer to you than he is, I feel it is my obligation and duty to show you the error of your ways. That is, if there is no other way."

Whiteport sighs and shakes his head. "I can see no other recourse at the moment that will not reveal her presence here. But then, I'm already addled with drink and prefer to become more so. Redleigh and I shall leave you all to the women as we attempt to finish this night in peace."

For the briefest of moments, the hard lines of Norhaven's body ease when his brother hands over responsibility of her. Certainly not my imagination indeed. Their relationship, whatever it may be, is out of my hands, and I refuse to play matchmaker. After being trapped myself, I do not wish to aid someone trapping another.

One by one, they file out, the women protesting… All save Blackport's bride. If only I'd had the same fortune. But then, I'd certainly break one as delicate as her. Augusta is in no such danger. At least, that's what I hope.

Fury, fear, lust, and longing all coalesce into one ugly sensation as it twists my body from the inside out. Underneath it all is an emotion I never thought possible—hurt.

I want to break her, shatter her, make her see reason. I wish nothing more than to actually be able to bend her to my will and make her understand the enormity of her actions. But even now, I note the arrogance in her stance, the challenge in her eyes

“How dare you directly disobey one of the few orders I've given you?” I quietly seethe, striding over to her. “How dare you take my leniency and throw it back into my face? “More importantly, how dare you endanger the one thing I've come to care about?”

Her lips quiver as she tips her head up, doing her best to remain haughty. “Your precious honor and dignity?”

“You, blast it all.”

“Me?” The shocked tone in her voice takes me aback.

“How will I make you understand when you are so determined to come at me with cross purposes? This isn't completely about blind obedience or not, but deep down, I thought you’d eventually submit to me, willingly taking my mantle of dominance. But I see that's not the case.”

For a moment she actually looks remorseful, but it could be her trying to worm her way out of the punishment I plan to deliver.

“I can submit,” she hedges, looking down at the floor.

“No,” I grind out. “You only want me for my rough touch and domineering ways. It's a thrill to you and nothing more.”

With a sigh, I run my hand over the back of my neck and rub away the gathering tension. I thought I found my soulmate in this minx, but I fear I've saddled myself to someone who will never have any chance of actually loving me the way I need to be loved.

CHAPTER 32

AUGUSTA

Anger swirls off of Portswell as he paces in front of me. Though I know I messed up, it doesn't change the fact that he was here, too. Why would he be here with another woman the day before he was to marry me? Or is it that he's simply trying to drive out his remaining aggression on her so he could be gentle with me?

But I don't want gentle. I want him in all his ferocity. Doesn't he understand that by now? Can't I somehow make him see that? He speaks of submission, and I want to give it to him.

I just can’t. Something in me compels me to do the opposite, and I have no reason why. I fear it’s the same madness that forces me to touch myself lest I go completely feral.

Tears threaten to gather in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not for this. Not for him. Not when he demands everything from me yet is here with another.

"What do you have to say for yourself," he finally says, his voice soft yet hard, as he looks at me.

Unwilling to allow him to distract me from his presence here, I cross my arms in defiance, using it as a shield against the hurt. "I could ask the same thing."

"I did not willfully disobey any edict you gave me," he roars, his tone sharp like a whip and just as painful.

"I didn't think I had to command you not to engage with a ladybird while pledged to me."