The Duke's Bride

room immediately changed. The previously lively and curious gazes of the guests

llsworth?" whispered a midd

mysterious man at Marquess Margaux's party,"

? Not her fianc

the gathering until the end without paying attention to the gossip. However, she was also aware tha

about her mother and two older brothers. As far as she remembered, her mother never defended her in front of their father, nor

," said Countess Lora with a gentle smile as she a

he sudden nervousness. "Thank you, Coun

ety of teas and cakes that I'm sure you'll like," Count

ver, the glances and whispers from the guests continued to disturb her.

a concerned tone, sitting next to her. "I've heard som

her sincerity. "I'm fine, thank you. Light conversation li

to Hazel's answer. "You're right, Lady Haze

ant tea, she tried to stay focused on the event. She knew that every step she took would be watched by her

re she had to return home. Quickly, she asked her driver to stop by a famous bakery her mother often visited. Her mother frequently brought cakes

just going to buy a cake for Mother,"

er the shop alone. As Hazel placed her order and had

olored dress," the man's voice said. "I

sly met at Marquess Margaux's party. The athletic m

hance to finish her sentence b

for a while and enjoy a cup

ut I'm just stopping by to buy a ca

d softly. "Oh, and about my coat that you haven't return

Hazel felt a bit guilty and finally

room inside the bakery. He instructed the staff to prepa

and the tea was served. Hazel looked puzzled, and the man explained

bad, although I'm not very fa

"So, did you feel bored b

arp blue eyes. "Don't

penetrating her defenses. He moved closer, his face

Lady?" the man asked

growing warmer. The man chuckled s

ppropriate," he said with a smile. "I

sed by her misunderstanding

, so you thought I h

it!" Hazel qui

ting in Hazel's heart. "Didn't you say

t her body freeze. "I... I lost control at

to Hazel's. "But didn't you admit that at that

er head, trying to avoid the man's gaze. "I... I will

lifted her petite body onto his lap. Hazel gasped, her

Hazel asked in a shocke

as if seeing directly into her heart. "Just making su

say anything. She felt her

sensation as she sat on the lap of the mysterious man. Her face was flushed, and with emb

el exclaimed, her voice trembling

terious gaze. "Aren't you the on

y attracted more of the man's attention. Her pale skin

t in me now?" the man asked,

d and stunned. "W

hin smile playing on his slender lips. "D

er body freeze. "I... I lost control at t

to Hazel's. "But didn't you admit that at that

er head, trying to avoid the man's gaze. "I... I will

lifted her petite body onto his lap. Hazel gasped, her

Hazel asked in a shocke

as if seeing directly into her heart. "Just making su

say anything. She felt her

sensation as she sat on the lap of the mysterious man. Her face was flushed, and with emb

el exclaimed, her voice trembling

terious gaze. "Aren't you the on

y attracted more of the man's attention. Her pale skin

t in me now?" the man asked,

d and stunned. "W

hin smile playing on his slender lips. "D

o open her mouth to explain, the man suddenly silenced her with a hot, wet, an

to resist, but eventually gave in to the overwhelming feelings. The kiss se

, looking at each other with eyes full of emotion. Hazel still felt the heat of the k

voice husky with desire. It was the same question he h

were swirling inside her, leaving her confused and blushing. In the man's embrac

et m

*