The Devil Duke Takes a Bride by Rachel van Dyken

uke she had no feelings for him. She would rue the day she told him " no " .
    ****
    That night, as Katherine sat opposite her parents in the carriage, she could not shake the feeling of dread in her belly.
    Benedict would be attending this night’s opera.
    She was still ruined.
    The ton would be waiting for a scandal, and worst of all, Paisley would be given a front row seat.
    “Here we are.” Her mother beamed when their carriage pulled up to King ' s Theatre.
    Katherine bit her lip trying to keep the fluttering of her stomach at bay, and slowly made her way into the opera house.
    It was too loud for her to be noticed, with too many people fluttering about.
    “…and he has been ever so gracious to let us use his box!” Her mother clapped her hands together.
    “Who?” Katherine loudly asked, for she could barely hear herself think.
    “Why , the duke, of course.”
    “Which one?”
    Her mother paused. “Have you so quickly forgotten the name of your fiancé ?”
    Oh, him . “No, apologies . I t seems I’ve become quite… flushed.”
    Her mother scowled. “I knew I should not have left you alone this morning with that dreadful man. His reputation is black as sin, but surely you know there is no other choice?”
    Katherine nodded.
    “Did he … make advances toward you?”
    Eyes wide, she could only shake her head no and pray her blush wasn’t as bright as it felt. It would do no good for her mother to know the specifics. Besides, it wasn’t as if she wanted her mother to die of an apoplexy.
    No, she’d leave the dying to Benedict.
    But then again…
    Why wouldn’t her heart stop fluttering?
    “This way.” Her father directed them to the box. At least there were only six seats. Enough for her parents, herself, Banbury and…
    “The Dowager Duchess of Durbin,” the lady introduced herself to her mother and father , then quickly darted her beady eyes in Katherine’s direction.
    “My dear, you look ever so lovely.”
    Katherine blushed again, and reached out to grasp the dowager’s hands, leaning in to kiss both of her rouged cheeks.
    “Your grace, it has been an age. I’ve missed you dreadfully.”
    A cough was heard near the front of the balcony.
    All heads turned in the direction of the interruption.
    “Apologies, seems I’ve come down with the ague.” Benedict shrugged and winked at his a unt, whose icy glare caused the group to take a step back.
    Benedict didn’t seem the least bit affected. “We are so pleased to have you with us this evening.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. The man was a conundrum , f rom his black attire, to the way his eyes scanned each person before him as if studying them.
    Katherine cleared her throat to take a seat, on the opposite side of the box, but a hand stopped her.
    “Katherine,” her mother whispered harshly in her ear. “It will look dreadful if you do not sit next to your fiancé . Do not make this worse than it already is.”
    It could get worse . I t could get much worse. For one thing, Benedict could have her skirts lifted merely by crooking his pinky finger.
    She was a wanton hussy.
    The man had no shame, and no right to be as attractive as he was. Why was it that men who had impossible personalities were gifted with good looks? Should it not be the other way around?
    Then again, Paisley was quite handsome and kind and…
    You’re not marrying Paisley, you nitwit!
    “Your grace.” Katherine curtsied before taking a seat next to Benedict. The lights soon dimmed, and she found herself in quite an interesting position.
    For the close proximity seemed to cause a sensual current between the two of them. His thigh barely brushed hers, but he didn’t seem the least bit affected. He crossed his arms and leaned back as if bored. While she, well , she was near trembling.
    And then the odious man stretched , just grazing her shoulder as his arm flew above his head. When his hands came down, a finger brushed hers.
    This was why they called him the devil.