The Duchess's Desire

nd the clinking of crystal glasses. The golden chandeliers cast their warm glow over the assembled nobili

r slender waist before cascading to the floor in shimmering waves. Diamonds sparkled at her neck and ears, but it was he

m a glass of champagne, her sapphire gown scandalously low-cut. Her auburn hair g

mile, "you've been scanning this crowd for nearly an hour. Might I ask which

e unbothered. "You let your imagination run

ss the ballroom, where Lord Thomas Windsor, Duke of Sussex, stood speaking

so slightly. "Thomas is occup

ng the light as she swirled her glass. "And yet, I believe y

t dressed in the Windsor household livery, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His dark

le," Victoria said

ked. "You woun

espond, a loud, jovial

r Gr

g his way toward them. Alexander was all sharp smiles and mischievous eyes, his

her gloved hands folded delicately in front

ason." Alexander's sharp blue eyes flickered briefly to Catherine, and

"Lord Alexander, you

ter-in-law, are you enjoying yourself tonight? Or does the we

he refused to let her composure falt

y she could hear. "But I must admit, emerald is a dangerous color for yo

ned and offered a sly wink before slipping b

"I believe someone still

sharply to her f

hands in surrender, h

-

skin. She gripped the stone balustrade, her composure cracking just slightly under the weight

ght find you he

hint of something unreadable. Slowly, she turned her head to see J

she said softly, though there

he same to you

s eyes, and the faint scar running across his eyebrow. He was unlike the polishe

r. Parker," she

low. "Boldness is often born

the world around them disappeared. The musi

ictoria said finally, her vo

didn't step bac

't move. Nei

-

, her mask was firmly back in place.

husband's icy blue eyes caught her from across th

Elizabeth Fanshawe observed the Duchess with narro

ria halfway across the ball

. "Did you find what you were

a faint edge. "Catherine, if you don't stop prying, I

amusement. "Oh, Victoria. The foxes would be b

merald gown glowing under the chandelier's golden light. But as she moved gracefully through the dance, her mind w

me had