Chapter 24

"The carriage is ready, Your Grace." The butler's voice was solemn, as always. "It is ready to leave as soon as you like."

"Thank you, Davies," Thomas said, smiling absently as he gazed up at the top of the staircase.

He felt a frisson of disquiet. Where the deuce was she? They would be late for the ball if she didn't come down soon.

The butler left, padding down the long hallway. Thomas sighed heavily, clasping his hands behind his back as he started to pace the foyer. He hadn't lied when he had told her that his grandmother would have their guts for garters if they were late. The old lady was a stickler for protocol, and this ball was being held in their honor. The ton would be waiting for them.

He stirred, thinking about her in that tub. He hadn't meant to catch her in it, no matter what she believed. But it had taken all his willpower not to turn around to catch a glimpse of her in it. No matter what she thought, he would never do it without her consent.

Thomas prided himself on the fact that if a woman came to him, she did so willingly.

He groaned aloud, cursing himself anew. He must leave her alone. And after tonight, he was resolved to do it. First thing tomorrow, he would talk with her about their living situation. They would come up with a plan. They would live separately and rarely see each other again. He knew many couples who lived such lives, and it seemed to work fine.

He glared up at the top of the staircase again. Where was she?

But at that moment, he heard a rustle of silk. He straightened, gazing expectantly. And then, suddenly, there she was, her hand on the banister as she glided down the staircase, her chin raised.

Thomas's jaw dropped. That gown. It was the most spectacular thing he had ever seen, and it fit her like a glove. A shimmery white silk piece covered in tiny, embroidered gold stars, it plunged lower at the neckline than the current fashion dictated so that he could fully see the swell of her divine breasts. The sleeves were very short, practically non-existent, mere pieces of fabric attached to the rest of the gown, holding it up.

She kept gliding down the staircase, not looking at him. Thomas's eyes widened. Now, he could see the back of the gown. It plunged low, exposing most of her beautiful, smooth back, ending at the curve of her lower spine. It was daring, indeed.

It was also the most erotic sight he had ever witnessed.

"My God," he whispered as she finally reached him. He gaped at her before shaking his head incredulously. "You are a vision. I have never seen anything more stunning in my life."

Catherine blushed fiercely. For a moment, she dropped her gaze before she raised her eyes, staring him straight in the eye. His heart actually somersaulted in his chest.

"Thank you," she said in a prim voice. "It is rather daring. Beatrice almost had apoplexy when she saw the design." Her lips twitched. "It will certainly cause a commotion."

"It will," he agreed, gazing at her, knowing he couldn't even attempt to hide his admiration. "I am sure there will be some older, more conservative members of the ton who will be scandalized, Duchess."

Catherine flashed him a wicked smile. "Oh, let them be scandalized," she quipped, opening her fan and waving it in the air. "It will do them good. Their lives are far too dull as it is."

Thomas let out a bark of laughter. "I could not agree more. I often think they have milk running through their veins, rather than blood. One strong wind would blow them over."

Catherine's smile widened. "But what about your grandmother? Will she be scandalized as well?"

Thomas considered this. "No doubt she will pretend to be. She will make her opinion known. But deep down, I think she will enjoy your boldness."

Catherine laughed with delight. "We shall see. She is the one who told me to wear something eye-catching after all."

Thomas took a step towards her, smiling down at her. He reached out, tucking a stray dark curl behind her ear. He watched the pupils in her green eyes dilate sharply. Hastily, she took a step back.

He tried to swallow his disappointment. There was simply no doubt that he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, but even though he was sure she found him attractive too, she was always pushing him away.

He needed to accept that she truly didn't want to be intimate with him. She wasn't going to suddenly capitulate. Catherine had a will of iron after all. She could probably stop the waves from crashing on the shore if she put her mind to it.

And alongside his fierce attraction to her, there was something else that was even more unsettling. He wasn't just drawn to her because of her spellbinding beauty, the air of sensuality that shrouded her like a cloak, and her bewitching charm. He liked her. Enormously. She was amusing and droll and fiery. She always kept him on his toes.

His thoughts drifted to that evening when he had caught her looking at the portrait of her parents, to how vulnerable she had seemed at that moment. It was unlike her. And he had responded to that side of her as well. For some reason, it had seemed as if they understood each other—the dark side as well as the light.

His wife was dangerous to him—in so many ways. It was just as well that they were going to sever their contact going forward. He would thank himself later for it.

"We should sit down and talk tomorrow," he said abruptly, his voice solemn. "We should work out how our lives are going to look like from now on."

Her eyes flickered. "Yes. I was going to suggest the same thing." She hesitated. "It is for the best. We both know it."

He inclined his head politely. "Indeed." He held out his arm. "We should get going. Grandmother awaits."

She nodded, taking his arm.

He pretended to ignore the spark that ignited at the contact. He gritted his teeth. He had resisted her when she was in the tub——he could resist her now in that shocking, divine gown. He had no choice. As she had said, it was for the best for both of them.

Catherine stepped out of the carriage, blinking rapidly as she gazed up at the Dowager Duchess's grand townhouse before looking around. There was a line of carriages on the street, and the drivers and footmen were chatting together, laughing. It seemed there were quite a lot of people at the ball already.

Torches flamed in the semi-darkness near the house, lighting the way and casting an eerie glow along with the gaslights on the street. She watched as a party of people walked into the house, dressed resplendently, laughing together before vanishing inside.

The Duke looked at her. "Are you ready?"

Catherine took a deep breath. "As ready as I will ever be."

He laughed, holding out his arm again. They started walking up the steps to the wide front door. She felt a twinge of apprehension. What fit of madness had possessed her to wear such a daring gown?

"Do not worry," he whispered in her ear, his voice amused. "I will save you from the sharks when they start circling."

"I am not afraid," she lied, her voice defiant. "Let them say what they will. I have never cared for their opinion."

He looked at her. "You know, that might be the thing I admire about you the most," he mused, his eyes lingering on her. "That and your breathtaking figure."

Catherine flushed. He was teasing her—flirting with her—as always. He couldn't seem to help it. His eyes had almost popped out of his head when he had watched her descending the staircase this evening. She had no doubt that he liked the gown at least.

And as much as she tried to ignore his reaction, his blatant admiration, she had felt a surge of triumph, basked in it like a cat in a ray of sunshine. She had also felt her body instantly respond. Straight away, she was aware of him.

At least they had agreed that they would talk seriously tomorrow and nut out a plan for their separate lives going forward. She wouldn't be forced to deal with this forever. That was something.

The Dowager Duchess was standing in the foyer, greeting the guests, leaning heavily on her walking stick. Her eyes widened dramatically as she watched her grandson and his wife approach.

"Thomas," she said, offering her cheek for a kiss. Her eyes slid to Catherine. "And here is your wife. I fear that one could not miss her if one tried."

Catherine raised her chin, feeling a blush stain her cheeks. "Well, you did tell me to stand out from the crowd, Duchess." She gave her a dazzling smile. "I thought that this gown would achieve that aim, well and truly."

The Dowager Duchess arched her eyebrows so that they almost touched her hairline. Her eyes raked over Catherine from head to toe. She took her time doing it.

Catherine stood her ground, her chin raised, not dropping her gaze. She could sense, rather than see, that the gown was already causing a commotion. People were staring at her openly from the doorway to the ballroom, whispering behind their hands.

"Indeed, it does," the Dowager Duchess pronounced eventually, a small half-smile on her face. Her eyes were alight with amusement. "I always liked to make a dramatic entrance as well when I was young, my dear. Knock them off their perches. Have them choking on their champagne."

Catherine gave a laugh of delight. The Dowager Duchess had just given her seal of approval. She exhaled slowly, feeling relieved.

"You look like a princess," the Dowager Duchess continued in an amused voice, her head tilted to the side as she continued examining her. "Or do you look like you belong in a harem? Perhaps both? I cannot decide."

Catherine and the Duke laughed.

"An intriguing combination, indeed," the Duke said, his eyes twinkling with mirth as they lingered on his wife. "And an irresistible one."

They stared at each other, their gazes locking. Catherine blushed.

The Dowager Duchess coughed into her hand. "I am glad you think so, Thomas," she declared in a dry voice. "Perhaps that will mean that I will finally get the news of a great-grandchild on the way soon?"

Catherine blushed. The Duke looked awkward.

"I see," the Dowager Duchess muttered, raising her eyebrows again. "Well, perhaps tonight will change everything." She smiled slyly. "There might be magic afoot tonight, my dears. Please, do go and enjoy yourselves."