Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

" T hank you so much for coming with me, Jenny. Thomas absolutely abhors the opera." Frannie turned to make sure Jenny got out of the carriage all right.

Jenny looped her arm through her sister-in-law's as they walked up the steps of the opera house. "I'm sure he was overcome with grief at being away and not being able to accompany you this evening," she joked.

Frannie laughed. "Something like that. If he had his way, he'd never set foot in an opera house again."

"I believe it. The only art Thomas is interested in is how organized his ledgers are at the end of the day." Jenny rolled her eyes at the thought of her straight-laced brother.

"You know your brother well," Frannie quipped. "Regardless, I appreciate you coming with me. I've heard such wonderful things about this opera, and I've been begging Thomas to bring me here."

Jenny smiled. "I'm more than happy to be here. Thomas has no idea what he's missing."

The two women made their way into the lobby. Jenny always loved coming to the opera. Aside from the ballroom, it was a place to see and be seen.

It was also the perfect place to put into practice some of the tips David gave her.

David.

She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling too widely. Just thinking his Christian name gave her goosebumps. She still couldn't believe he allowed her to call him by his given name. It felt so wrong… and so right. Much like their kiss.

The lights in the lobby dimmed.

Frannie touched Jenny's arm, interrupting her reverie. "Why don't we make our way to our box?"

Jenny nodded and followed her through the crowds. People were beginning to gather in front of the doors to the opera house, creating a mob that was trying to funnel through the doors. Jenny's foot was stepped on in the chaos.

"Ow!" She tried hopping on her non-injured foot, but she ended up losing her balance and colliding with a wall.

No. Not a wall. A man. A very solid man.

She turned to offer her apologies, but her eyes landed on the emerald-green ones that had been haunting her days.

"Your Grace?"

A body knocked into her from behind, causing her to fall forward into David.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry." Her hands rested on his chest, and she hesitated to move them. She rather liked the way his chest felt under her hands.

A not-so-subtle cough from behind her had her pulling away.

"Duke," Frannie said, casting a knowing look at Jenny, who was now standing to the side, fidgeting. "How nice it is to see you tonight. Although, with how crowded it is, I dare say most of the ton is in attendance tonight."

David's eyes never left Jenny's. "Yes, it appears to be that way."

Jenny's body flushed under his stare. She found herself staring at the top button of his shirt. She couldn't bring herself to hold eye contact. Standing this close to him after what transpired at his house a few nights ago was causing her brain cells to misfire. She felt like she had the memory displayed on her forehead for the world to see whenever she looked at him.

"Is your husband here, Duchess?" David finally tore his eyes away from her to acknowledge Frances.

"I'm afraid not. He is away on business, so my darling sister has agreed to accompany me for a night out on the town."

David's eyes flicked back to Jenny, once again causing her heart to race.

Damn this man and the effect he has on me.

Her emotions were a chaotic whirlwind while he stood there, seemingly unaffected.

Does nothing rankle this man?

She took a few deep breaths and focused on what she and David went over during their last lesson. Men like subtle confidence and eye contact. Straightening her back and squaring her shoulders, she lifted her eyes to his.

"How thoughtful of her." His voice was soft and smooth.

Jenny offered a coy smile.

"Would you ladies care to join me this evening? I have a center box, and it would be my honor to share it with you both."

Frances looked at Jenny and shrugged. "That would be lovely. Thank you, Your Grace. Our box is off to the side, and I've always wanted to see a performance from one of the center boxes. What do you say, Jenny? Shall we join the Duke?"

"I think that would be a wonderful idea. Thank you, Your Grace, for the kind offer." Jenny nodded her head in thanks.

"Splendid. Please, follow me."

David walked them up the stairs to their left and down the hallway to a center box. All the while, Frannie kept glancing at Jenny.

"What?" Jenny mouthed behind David's back.

Frannie, afraid of being overheard, tilted her head towards the Duke and back to Jenny, raising her eyebrows, insinuating that something was going on between them.

Jenny scrunched up her nose. "No."

But as usual, her face betrayed her.

Frannie didn't miss her blush. Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Jenny nudged her, pleading for silence.

Frannie eyed the Duke, who was now standing in the doorway, holding the curtains open for the women to walk through.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Frannie said with a sideways glance at Jenny, who just rolled her eyes.

David gestured to the front row. "Please, sit here, it offers the best view in the house."

Frannie waved him off. "No, thank you, Duke. I like to be higher up. Why don't you and Jenny sit in the front row, and I'll sit right behind you."

Jenny cringed inwardly.

Very subtle, Frannie.

She knew she would have a lot of explaining to do on the carriage ride home tonight. There is no way that Frannie was going to let this drop.

"Very well, if you insist. Miss Bennett? Care to join me in the front row?"

Jenny took his proffered hand. "Yes, I would love to."

David settled into the seat next to her. "Have you been to the opera often?"

Jenny looked over the theater below her. David was right, these were the best seats in the house.

"I've been a few times, yes. I've always enjoyed coming here." She looked back at him. "I must admit, I was surprised to see you here. This doesn't seem like your favorite type of outing."

David shrugged his shoulder. "I've been told I need to get out more, so here I am."

"Lucky me." Jenny smiled.

"Yes." David eyed her. "Lucky you."

Jenny refused to break eye contact. "Tell me, Your Grace, are you familiar with this particular opera?"

David shrugged.

That bloody shrug.

Jenny was determined to see his carefully cultivated indifference break.

"I am not. However, I heard it is heartbreaking and very tragic. There are stories of even men leaving greatly touched by the performance. I even heard that some men were seen crying during it."

She was goading him, hoping to get some sort of reaction.

David leaned back in his seat. "Is that so? Well, now I am intrigued."

"Yes. So am I."

The house lights dimmed as Jenny sat back in her chair. Not only was she going to see one of the most popular operas of her time, but she would have a front-row seat to David's emotions.

Surely, an opera that had touched the hearts of thousands would be able to crack the tough exterior of David Elkins, the Duke of Marlow.

Three hours in and David was ready to shoot someone. Yes, the singing was good, and the music was enticing and well-played, but he would rather be at a ball than here. The only positive about this evening was the woman sitting next to him.

The woman who was watching his every move like a hawk.

He leaned over and whispered to her, "Is something amiss?"

Her eyes snapped to the stage. "No. I'm fine, thank you."

Her hands were fidgeting in her lap, and she sat straight in her chair. She couldn't be more nervous than if she were standing on the stage singing herself.

David turned back to the stage, but his mind was still on the woman next to him. He could feel her eyes returning to his profile.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Could she be remembering the other night? The way her body fit perfectly against his? How her mouth molded to his and the delicious sounds she made when he deepened the kiss?

David shifted in his seat. Not only was he bored, but now he was also uncomfortable.

Jenny tilted her head, silently questioning if he was all right. He waved her off, hoping he wouldn't cause himself any embarrassment. They were not that far in their lessons for him to educate her in all the ways a woman can affect a man.

Just thinking of how that conversation would go and the beautiful blush that would bloom on her cheeks had him shifting in his seat once again.

How much longer can this blasted performance be?

An hour later, he was escorting the women back to their carriage. Frannie was her normal jovial self, but something seemed to be plaguing Jenny.

"Everything all right, Miss Bennett?" David asked.

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip before answering. "Just wondering how you enjoyed the performance."

He shrugged, knowing it frustrated her. Her little sigh at his gesture lit the fire that was starting to grow in his gut. He balled his hands into fists by his sides to stop himself from reaching out to her.

She was still watching him. Oh, right.

"It was… entertaining."

She raised a reddish brown eyebrow. "Entertaining? That's your response? It showcased love and loss, trials and tribulations, death… All of that is just entertaining to you?"

David's face split into a devilish grin. "I would think the definition of entertaining is sufficient enough to describe all of those things."

Jenny's teeth began to grind. He desperately wanted to reach out and rub the tension from her jaw.

"You're purposefully being obtuse again!" She stomped her foot.

David bit back a smile. She was absolutely delectable when she was flustered.

"Am I?" He winked.

A little snort came from behind them. They both stopped and turned back to Frannie, who was walking behind them.

"Oh, don't let me interrupt," she said with a knowing grin.

Jenny huffed out a sigh. "All I'm saying is that it was a very emotional performance, one that is known all around the world to bring even grown men to tears."

"Why are you so preoccupied with my reaction to an opera, Miss Bennett?"

Jenny looked up to the heavens and sighed. She looked deflated.

David whooped with laughter. "Why would you be upset that I wasn't overcome with emotion while watching an opera?"

Jenny looked between him and Frannie.

Frannie's hands flew up. "Don't look at me. I'm just trying to get into the carriage." She hurried past the couple, and, with David's help, she climbed into the carriage. She poked her head out of the window. "I'll just be in here when you are through with your conversation."

With that, her face disappeared into the carriage, but not before she gave a cheeky wink to her sister-in-law.

David took a step towards Jenny. "Well? Why are you upset with me?"

Jenny swallowed and pursed her lips. "Because nothing seems to affect you, and it's frustrating. I'm pretty sure a dog could get shot in front of you and you wouldn't stop to acknowledge it."

David folded his hands in front of him. This beautiful creature had no idea how much he felt, especially when she was around. Which was the exact reason why he could never show it. Feeling too much could lead to mistakes, and he couldn't afford any more mistakes.

But seeing her now, with the moonlight glancing off her auburn hair, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out to touch a silky curl. "Miss Bennett, I was very much affected tonight, but it was not the opera that toyed with my emotions."

Jenny's eyes searched his. His fingers let go of the curl and slowly trailed over her jaw, down her cheek, stopping just before they touched her décolletage. Her breathing was erratic, and David was mesmerized by the rise and fall of her chest.

He leaned in, whispering in her ear, "Come to my residence tomorrow night. I'll show you all the ways you can affect a man."

Jenny's eyes widened. He saw the goosebumps rise on her arms. She glanced at the carriage, but thankfully, Frannie had closed the curtain.

David was certain his voice was low enough; he doubted Frannie had heard his comment. He waited for Jenny's eyes to return to his.

"Will you come?" Blasted, he sounded needy.

Jenny nodded. "I will."

David helped her in the carriage and saw them off. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to hosting someone in his home.

Jenny settled into the seat across from Frances. The two women stared at each other as the carriage pulled away.

"Well?" Frances prompted. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Jenny tried feigning ignorance. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Frances cackled. "Oh, don't give me that. I was once young and smitten with someone, and look where it got me!"

"Happily married with a beautiful son?" Jenny noted.

Frances leveled a glare in her direction. "I'm serious. I know what I saw, Jenny. Is there something going on between you and the Duke of Marlow?"

"No. We danced at Lady Staunton's and had a lovely conversation about Lord Banefield's goal to wipe out balls altogether by injuring all the women. He was just inquiring about my recovery."

Frances arched an eyebrow. "While I'm impressed by how quickly you came up with the semi-believable lie, I don't believe it."

Jenny smiled to herself and moved the window curtain to watch the passing scenery. While nothing scandalous happened during the opera, she did feel closer to the Duke. She didn't know what that meant, but she couldn't ignore the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach whenever she saw him.

"Jane."

Jenny's eyes snapped to Frances. She never used her given name.

"I'm serious. Be careful. You are still young in your Seasons, but there are men out there who are willing to disrupt your life for a night of reckless abandon. The Duke of Marlow is known to be that kind of man. I do not wish to see that happen to you."

Jenny's eyes narrowed. "You did it with my brother, and may I remind you how that turned out?" she snapped.

Frances sighed. "Jenny, not everyone is so lucky. You are so young?—"

"Stop. Just stop!" Jenny cried. "I'm tired of people dictating what I want or how I should live my life based on their own experiences. When do I get to experience life, Frannie? When is it my time to make mistakes and fall in love and out of love? To learn what love even is?"

Frances sat back, shocked, staring at her.

A wave of exhaustion washed over Jenny, and she rested her head on the back of her seat. After a breath, she apologized.

"I'm sorry, Frances. It's just that I keep hearing that this is the time of my life where I'll get to experience what is truly out there, but I feel like no one is letting me experience it."

Frances dropped her eyes to her lap. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I had no idea you felt this way. I'm so caught up in the household and raising Simon that I haven't been around much for you."

Jenny reached across the carriage and took Frances's hand. "I do not blame you. If anything, I am envious of you. I wish I had the same."

Frances put her other hand on their joined ones and squeezed gently. "And that is why I implore you to stay away from the Duke of Marlow. Nothing but scandals follow him." She cupped Jenny's face, stroking her cheek. "Your match is out there, I know it. Just give it time. And I'll do better at being there for you."

Jenny forced a smile. She was beginning to realize that she didn't want another man. She wanted the butterflies, the mystery. She wanted the enigma that was the Duke of Marlow.