"Meddlesome bag?" Rawlings input was quite useful.
"Incorrigible, quick-witted, opinionated piece of…" Benedict stopped himself when his eyes set on the vision in front of him.
A beautiful woman had walked into the room. Her profile was perfect, as if an artist had conjured her from heaven. Her lips, though he could only see the sides, were plump and a pale pink. Golden hair cascaded loosely around her shoulders, falling out of her messily placed bun. A silver dress wrapped around her perfect form as if it was sewn onto her.
As if his mind had communicated with hers, she turned and looked at him. His stomach dropped as did his whiskey. He cursed in every language he knew, not caring that the men around him probably thought he'd caught some sort of madness from his aunt. But he knew, even as she walked toward him, and his stomach clenched, and his head pounded like the devil… This was the very same "girl," who had nearly stolen his life three times. The only question hanging in the air between them was whether or not he'd leave this party dead or alive…
CHAPTER TWO
A Matter of Honor
Katherine glanced at the Devil Duke. His face was a combination of smooth planes and perfect form. A muscle twitched in his jaw when he set his eyes on her, and for a minute they darkened, causing her to feel like a nervous girl still in pigtails. Then his once-smoldering face turned to something much more predatory. Nostrils flared, fingers clenched at his sides, and then he raised his hand to touch the back of his head as if it ached.
Drawing a steadying breath, she straightened her shoulders and made her way toward the man. An apology was surely in order after three years. After all, it hadn't been her fault that he had suffered so much trauma at her hands, he just seemed to have the worst timing and balance out of any man she knew! The man was a walking scandal, sin incarnate. She only hoped she wouldn't be ruined by merely associating with him, for his reputation with debutantes was clearly marked with scandal. Lucky for her, she wasn't some debutante, but practically on the shelf, an old woman. Surely he wouldn't find her the least bit attractive, and if he did? Well, if he did, she would simply have to ignore his virility and handsome face. Perhaps if she closed her eyes she could forget his handsomeness. She tried it.
Of course it did nothing but make her more curious if her mind had conjured up the same image she had just gazed upon.
She stole a cautious peek. It hadn't.
He was far more attractive than a man of his reputation should be. She straightened her shoulders and shook the foreboding thoughts from her head.
Regardless of his reputation, she needed to at least acknowledge that all those silly incidents were her fault and her fault alone. Especially if she was to catch the eye of the duke's cousin, whom she knew would be in attendance this very night.
The Dowager Duchess of Durbin had said as much in her letter. And Katherine was thrilled that she would finally get her chance with the Scottish duke. The only man standing in her way was the Devil Duke himself, and she wasn't about to let the obviously negative man get in the way of her happy future.
She swallowed and gave a quick curtsy, slowly raised her eyes toward him, and waited. It was most improper for her to even use his last name instead of his title, but to her, the name fit. His last name of Devlyn described him quite perfectly for he was most assuredly descended from the devil himself. Dark hair, dark eyes, wide unforgiving lips, and a sneer fit for a true aristocrat. His eyebrows furrowed as a mocking smile danced across his face.
"Lady Katherine, it has been too long." If she was a betting woman, which she most assuredly was not, she would have half expected him to continue in that same sentiment, adding that it had not been long enough. Banbury bent over her hand and bestowed a kiss upon it.
Quickly, she tugged it away and rubbed the spot where his lips had touched. Perhaps she was catching a chill? That was why her hand was still shaking when she placed it back at her side. Or maybe she really was frightened of the man.
"Yes, yes it has." Katherine sighed. "I was wondering, if it would not be too bold to ask, your grace, might we take a turn about the room?"
He grimaced. Lovely. Always nice to know a gentleman enjoyed her company. "I believe that would be acceptable." He turned slightly to the left and nodded to the men behind them. Each one of them was a beautiful male specimen, and oddly, looked slightly foxed. She shrugged and took his arm when he offered.