Lord Ashworth chuckled nervously. “Not at all, Your Grace,” he replied. “It was merely an observation.”
“Indeed,” Wilhelm drawled, his voice laced with a subtle threat. “And I trust, from now on, you shall treat my wife with the respect she deserves.”
Lord Ashworth paled, his composure faltering. “Of course, Your Grace,” he stammered, bowing his head in deference.
Wilhelm steered Genevieve away from the vile man. “Do not let them intimidate you, my dear,” he murmured in her ear. “They are but shadows, and their words echo hollow. They are all beneath you.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
The music began, the lilting melody filling the ballroom and inviting the guests to take to the dance floor.
Wilhelm released her hand, stepped in front of her, and bowed deeply, extending his hand with a subtle smile.
“May I have this dance, Duchess?” he asked huskily as he straightened.
Genevieve’s heart fluttered, her gaze locking with his as she blushed. “You may,” she replied shyly.
They stepped onto the dance floor, their bodies moving in perfect sync with the music, their steps a graceful ballet. Wilhelm’s hand rested on her waist, his touch sending waves of warmth through her. His gaze never wavered from hers, his emerald-green eyes brimming with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat.
“You look breathtaking, Genevieve,” he murmured in her ear, his breath caressing her neck.
Genevieve’s cheeks flushed at his compliment, and her heart pounded in her chest.
A low hum escaped Wilhelm’s lips as his eyes swept over her from head to toe. “You look positively exquisite in this dress.”
He lifted her hand and twirled her gracefully. When his hand returned to rest on her waist, he added, “But your eyes… they betray a spark that yearns to become a roaring fire. I am eager to stoke that fire, Duchess.” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
The hunger in his words and his touch broke the dam of unrequited longing that had built up inside her, and her desire poured forth with a fury that left her stunned by its force. The ballroom faded into the background as she lost herself in his scent and the tenderness of his embrace.
As the final notes of the waltz faded, Genevieve and Wilhelm slowed, their bodies still swaying in unison, their gazes locked in silent conversation. Wilhelm’s hand lingered on her waist, sending pulses of desire to her core.
“You are an excellent dancer, Genevieve.”
Her cheeks flushed as she smiled softly. “My mother insisted that I learn from an early age,” she replied wistfully. “She had a dancing master come to the house, but when our financial situation, uh, changed, I had to stop.”
Wilhelm raised an eyebrow, his hand tightening slightly on her waist as he absorbed her words. “And what became of that? Did you miss it?”
Her gaze flicked to the floor for a brief moment. “I did, at first. But there were other things that required my attention.”
Wilhelm’s tone became protective. “I promise you, Genevieve, you will never want for anything again, as long as you are by my side. I will ensure that you have everything you desire.”
Genevieve looked up at him, her heart suddenly light. “I no longer require very much to be content,” she admitted, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability. “I have found ways to manage.”
“Perhaps. But know this, my Duchess,” he said, his voice lowering slightly, “if there is anything you wish for, it shall be yours. I shall make sure of it.”
“Your Graces,” a cheerful voice greeted, interrupting them.
Genevieve turned to see Kenneth approaching them, his face alight with a charming smile.
“My, my, Your Grace. You look radiant,” he remarked.
Genevieve gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Lord Gaverton,” she replied, her voice radiating warmth.
Kenneth looked at Wilhelm, and his expression turned apologetic. “Ravenshire,” he began. “I must apologize for the intrusion, but an urgent matter has arisen.”
Wilhelm furrowed his brow, and his face became stony. “Can the matter not wait, Gaverton?” he asked with thinly veiled annoyance.
Kenneth shook his head. “I am afraid not,” he replied, his voice firm. “It concerns the, uh,shipmentaffair.”
