Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Time To Be Alone

L eah gripped the Duke's hand as they walked back into the engagement party together. She felt everyone's eyes on her as they reentered and wondered what they knew.

Are they still wondering why I left so suddenly? Do they know we were pretending, and now, they can see we are in love?

When Leah thought about it, she realized that she did not care what anyone thought. She loved Solomon, and he loved her. She had exactly what she wanted in life. She could take the entire country talking about her as long as she had her husband by her side.

"My dear, would you care for this next dance?" the Duke asked.

Leah looked around the hall again, seeing it for the first time since reentering. The colors were more vivid, and the chatter more joyful. She looked to the side at Solomon.

"I would love to dance with you, my love," she replied.

The Duke smiled, and it melted her heart. She had lusted after him, and for good reason—he was a handsome and well-dressed man who drew the eye of most women. Yet, when she looked at him this time, he suddenly became more alluring. He was not only a handsome man, but a handsome man who would protect her and care for her and love her. He had promised her everything she wanted in life, but she only wanted one thing: his love.

I have it! I have it all!

She gripped the Duke's hand as he led her to the dance floor. Someone touched her shoulder on the way to the center of the hall, and Leah turned to see Grace.

"How are you feeling, Leah?" Grace asked.

Leah smiled. "I am wonderful!"

Grace studied her with furrowed brows. Leah nodded slowly with wide eyes and smiled wide. Grace opened her eyes a little, and Leah nodded some more. Grace patted Leah's arm, her yes mirroring Leah's happiness. They did not need to say a word for both of them to understand.

The Duke lifted Leah's hand into position, and he placed the other on her waist. A burst of warmth radiated through her body where he touched. It caused her to sway and breathe heavier. She gripped onto his shoulder to steady herself. He squeezed his muscle a little too tight, and the Duke smiled at her with a cocked eyebrow.

"I didn't mean to—" she started.

"Do with me what you please," the Duke told her.

Leah gave a sheepish half-smile and looked down at the wooden floor. She didn't look up as she squeezed the Duke's shoulder even harder.

The music started, and the Duke made sure to almost lift Leah off both feet at the first beat in response to her shoulder grabbing. Leah's squeal of delight was lost in the music as the dance began and the world spun around her.

It was not as great a spin as had happened outside. Her world had been turned around and around and around again as the Duke had shared his feelings with her. She never imagined he would say those words. She knew she had locked her feelings inside and then might have spilled out in time, but he had unlocked everything for both of them with no time wasted.

She looked directly into the Duke's eyes this time as they danced together. He looked back at her, a commanding and loving presence. She looked back at him, her love flooding out now that she could share it.

"I love you," Leah said as the Duke guided them quickly around the room.

"I love you, too," he replied.

Leah felt another warmth course through her body. She had loved him for some time and had made her peace that he did not love her. To hear it now after not expecting it ever to come was music to her wars.

The surrounding area was a blur to Leah, but that was mostly because she only had eyes for the Duke. She could not look away from his gray eyes as they danced. They were like the sky after a storm, the light just behind the clouds and ready to burst forth.

The dance came to an end, and Leah stood in the Duke's grip, still coming to terms with what just happened.

"It still does not feel real," Leah admitted. "I feel as if I am floating high about the land with you, and my mind is still guarding me. Tell me again that all of this is real."

"All of this is real," the Duke told her. He leaned in as he had done many times before and whispered in her ear. "I love you."

The feeling that coursed through her body was almost better than how he had made her feel with his hands. His breath was warm and tickled, and she craved more warmth and other things that tickled.

"I need to kiss you, but we can't do so high here," Leah said.

"In the middle of the dancefloor?" the Duke asked. "I mean, we can, but we probably shouldn't."

Leah laughed. "As much as I want to, we can't do that, can we!"

"Come, we are done dancing," the Duke told her. "If I have my hands on your body one more time, there is no telling what I might do."

"You are not the only one," Leah replied. "I need to feel your touch. I need to be with you properly after waiting for so long. I am glad we did. I am glad for everything that happened to us that we can be with each other now that we are in love."

"We shall have some refreshments to calm our impulses, and then we will find a way to leave this place and be alone."

Leah smiled and gripped the Duke's hand tightly as they walked off the dance floor together.

"Oh, Leah! That was wonderful!" Bridget gushed.

"What was? What did you see?" Leah asked.

Bridget frowned. "Your dancing, of course. You and His Grace are the guests of honor, and you looked exquisite on the dance floor. London Society will be talking about my engagement party for the longest time. I am so glad you are here, and I am glad you found your love so I could be with mine."

"Yes," Leah agreed. "I am in love, and so are you. Is it not the most wonderful thing?"

"Oh, yes, it is!" Bridget exclaimed, taking her older sister by the shoulders. "I was worried when you ran out earlier. Did something happen? Was it because of my party?"

"No, not at all," Leah assured her sister. "Your party is wonderful. I only needed some air because the festivities were so overwhelming, and Solomon followed me out to make sure I was fine, and of course, I was." Leah realized she was still holding the Duke's hand, and she squeezed it tighter.

All she could imagine was his tight grip on her body. She tried her best to talk with her sister, but her mind was elsewhere. She had to focus on her breathing and could hear little of what her sister said as she stood before her, but she smiled as best she could.

"Leah?" Bridget asked. "Would you join us for supper next week?"

"What? I…"

"We would be delighted," the Duke said, stepping in.

"Oh, great!" Bridget said. She looked concernedly at Leah. "Are you feeling well?"

"She is worried about me," the Duke told Bridget. "I have had a terrible migraine since this morning, and Leah begged me to stay home and recover, but we had to be here tonight to help you celebrate this wonderful occasion."

"Oh, my!" Bridget gasped. "You were unwell, and you still came. I don't know what to say, Your Grace. I am honored. You did not need to do that for me."

"We are family now," the Duke informed her.

Leah felt tears come to her eyes. She knew it was a lie, but there was some truth behind it.

"Do you still need a refreshment, my love?" Leah asked, finally regaining her wits.

"Yes, that would be for the best, and then we will have to take our leave. I apologize, Miss Moore," the Duke said.

"Oh, no, not at all," Bridget blurted. "You have done more than I could have imagined, and we have been so glad to have you both here. I hope you feel better soon, Your Grace."

"I am sure I will," he replied. "I need to get back home to my bed, and I know Leah will take care of me there."

Leah nudged the Duke with her elbow as she almost burst into embarrassed laughter. She managed to keep a straight face as she turned from her sister and went with the Duke to get a drink.

She felt a tug on her arm when they were close to the refreshment table, and the Duke took her in the opposite direction.

"Forget the refreshments," he whispered. "We can have refreshments whenever we want. What I need right now is you, and I will have you. We are leaving this party immediately."

"It is a long ride," Leah moaned. "I don't want to wait so long."

"I have a place in London for when I visit on business. We can be there in fifteen minutes."