To Love A Duke

Diamonds

Song Recommendations: They can’t take that away from me by Jose jones

A lady’s does not refuse a gift from a kind sir, much less a diamond heirloom!

“What brings you here then your grace” she asked with a shot up eyebrow, a habit she picked from him. She shifted her feet anxiously

“You would be just fine, you are doing great and I’ll be there” he said looking genuinely concerned, he must have noticed her discomfort. His intense gaze made her Conscious of the towel robe she wore.

“I believe I shall do just fine your grace..thank you” she said hands at her waist, resisting the urge to wrap it round her person. He walked towards her and by swill power, her feet remained plastered to the ground.

“I came here to give this to you” he said presenting her with a small velvet box, she hadn’t noticed him holding before. She took it from him and opened the lid. It twinkled at her. Diamonds. She closed it again, before she could decline his thoughtful but very unnecessary gift he spoke ahead of her

“I know that look” he took the the box from her and opening the lid he took out he diamond ear bobs stepping forward and bending over her to pin them on her ears. “It was my mothers” he said softly. She breathed in Wild lemons and sandalwood, a now familiar fragrance. She held her breathe assimilating his close proximity until he was quite finished.

“There now, All done” he said stepping back and examining his work, she touched her ears with bare ungloved fingers.

“Thank you” she cleared her throat so she didn’t sound as giddy as she felt

“They’re beautiful” he nodded and said in a low husky voice

“I suppose this our little heart to heart on this lovely Eve does not make us friends again”

“Absolutely Not” she replied curtly, fighting’s smile “if that would be all” she said hinting at a dismissal. If he noticed he didn’t show any sign that he did.

“I look forward to escorting you to La belle Le ball” he said and he gave her a curt nod before heading out.

By 9 off the clock that evening the music band was in full swing as was the ball, guest had began arriving and she hoped she plastered a smile to her face ready to go down. As she took her first step down the flight of stairs that led the the ball room she saw him, he was in his silk tux as he had been when he had come in to give her the ear bobs. She touched her ear agin for the nth time that evening. He awaited her at the landing and in that moment she wished she had the gifts to read minds. Just his mind. She wanted to know what his thoughts of her were. As she placed her gloved fingers in his ungloved sturdy ones. She bite down a moan. Artemis! Grace and comportment she chided herself. He bowed over her hand and she curtsied in reply. He offered his arm and she took it and all the while the people watched them as she struggled to remember to remember that this wasn’t real and all they did was for the public, tay this wasn’t a real marriage and she didn’t want him to drag her into his embrace and kiss her senseless like he had promised once upon a time.