TAMING THE BRIDE

Chapter 3

“Better now, Gwen?” Marie asked warmly, a relief rushed out of Gwendolyn's chest as she saw that the tedious stay at that ball would cease with her friend present.

Gwendolyn frowned before agreeing. Marie sighed as she held her friend's hands.

“It's too early for us to be engaged, I admit. I, at least, haven't finished my research.” Her eyes shot toward one of the men in the room.

“Oh, no, don't tell me…” Gwendolyn choked.

“I'm telling you, he's wonderful, but he has a rather small gift… if you know what I mean,” Marie said with a laugh.

“I can't believe you're so shameless!”

“Darling, with your frigid behavior and my indiscretion, we are a match made in hell…”

“Sorry.” Another interruption.

Gwendolyn swore that if it were damn Hornald or Goustav, she wouldn't hesitate to grab a glass of wine and throw it in their faces. But, to her surprise, it wasn't. It was a man she had never seen, and marvelously lovely to look at: deliciously refined by the connected perfection of his face and body.

“Ahem…” he coughed too loudly for Gwendolyn's suspicion. “Gwen, I don't know if you remember, but this is Lord Salustti” Ethan introduced.

“Pleasure…” she murmured as Noah took her hand and gently pressed his lips against it, her skin warming with his touch.

“May I have the honor of a dance?” His eyes stared at her in such an intense way that Gwendolyn felt her whole body shiver involuntarily.

“No,” she said quickly. Her brother looked at her full of hatred. As for Noah, he was like a dog that had been abandoned by its owner.

Facing the discomfort and the several nudges received by Marie, she decided to give in. At least, this would prevent others from bothering her, and she could use the tiredness of the dance as an excuse to go home earlier. They wouldn't be able to complain about not having enjoyed the ball, even if it was just a little.

“All right,” she said in the end.

Gwendolyn noticed Hornald approaching her out of the corner of her eye, only to gaze upon the man who was holding her in his arms. Now she was more than happy to be snatched up by someone as handsome as the man who was leading her to the dance floor, to Hornald's rage. This way, she could put an end to the disgusting old man's advances by showing him her highest demands.

Noah held her gently, afraid of appearing rude and discourteous. He had discussed his intentions with Ethan beforehand, who seemed quite indifferent to his endeavors. Ethan even declared 'good luck' while patting him on the back. Although the siblings seemed to have a complicated dynamic, Ethan seemed to trust Noah enough to allow him to court his younger sister.

He smelled the scent of lavender and honey that covered her body. He did his best not to look at her beautiful attributes jumping out of her dress, properly outlined on her body. Being quite tall, Gwendolyn seemed to be one of the few women who almost matched his height. The top of her head could rest perfectly against his nose.

“We were at the Institute together. And please, call me Noah.”

Gwendolyn's eyebrows arched most curiously.

“Formalities are the decorum for a place like this.”

“Please don't worry about these suffocating rules. No one will listen, except you and me.”

“We don't know each other well enough for that.” Gwendolyn knew well that greater intimacies would lead down a path she was not interested in pursuing, especially with someone known to her brother and at a ball as already stressful as that one.

“This is not a problem if we get to know each other better.”

Noah smiled the most beautiful of smiles and Gwendolyn, caught off guard, couldn't help but look away, trying not to show her embarrassment at finding that smile the most charming she had ever seen.

“You're bold.” She declared, trying to intimidate him. She knew she was being a bit rude, but the more apathetic she appeared, the better. “I don't know if that's being stupid or arrogant,” she said in a disinterested tone. Noah felt a little depressed.

“I believe both.” He rebutted, looking at her deeply. Gwendolyn felt a certain discomfort.

Gwendolyn wanted the music to stop as soon as possible, so she could escape the clutches of this man, who was showing himself as an experienced predator. Something inside her screamed that that man was dangerous, and she couldn't let her family see her too much flirting with someone, even if unintentionally. After all, she didn't want undue attention for any misunderstanding for giving attention to that handsome man. Her brother could use that against her.

“So,” Noah started breaking the silence “maybe this is a bit early, but I must confess to Miss Roz,” his lips were very close to her ear as he whispered those words. He could see the blush decorating her cheeks, “I plan to marry you.”

This kind and sweet declaration, to any other woman, would be taken romantically. But not to Gwendolyn. And she certainly didn't approve. She knew it could happen. Immediately, she stopped and ran off in the middle of a storm; Noah behind her, with long steps, holding her hand.

“You want to marry me? You don't even know me!” Gwendolyn spun in fury as her eyes darkened.

“Well, yes,” Noah said.

“No… NO! I REFUSE! You must think of me as one of those foolish women who succumb to your sweet words.” she shouted, pulling away.

“Your skin said so.” Noah teased as he walked towards her, closing the distance. Now the pair were out of sight of the ballroom, alone in what appeared to be one of the hallways of the grand mansion.

“Get away from me!” The purple of his eyes narrowed as she stepped back.

“No, Gwen, I won't.” His tone was stern, and he cornered her against the wall like a wolf about to attack a rabbit.

Gwendolyn was shaken and afraid. She wanted to scream for help, but no sound escaped her lips. The intensity of Noah's thunderous eyes seemed to hypnotize her. She had never been this close to a man before. Well, she had been when she was a child and had a staring contest with her brother. She successfully won and threw him backward, who fell on his butt. But this situation was different. She could smell the musk of his woody cologne, such an attractive masculine perfume. Her body was reacting in all the ways she refused to allow in her mind. Her pink lips parted as she felt his mouth move closer and closer.

And Noah wanted to kiss her fiercely. He wanted to touch her, to feel her. Seeing those pink lips take on a reddish tint from the blushing drove him wild with passion. But he had to control himself as much as possible. He didn't want to scare her any more than he already was. He knew how she was because he had heard all the stories of the rude and ill-mannered Miss Roz, so he had to be careful. With his face so close, he could see her lips trembling. He whispered in her ear:

“I come only for you. You will be my dear wife, Gwendolyn Belle Roz Boccoro. Or better: Gwendolyn Belle Henn Salustti. Sounds much better!” He finished with a satisfied smile.

He then broke away, her face furiously red. Noah had teased her, making her think he would kiss her, but he didn't. Gwendolyn was embarrassed, to say the least, but she dared to punch him when he turned his back. However, no matter how hard she hit, it didn't leave any imminent pain in the man. When her hand made contact with his body, she felt the muscles that were hidden under his clothes and hated herself for invoking possibilities in her head.

“I will not marry you, you bastard. Not even in my death! DID YOU HEAR ME, Lord Salustti?

But despite her futile attempt to get his attention, he had already left, far enough away not to hear her, leaving her breathless.