Chapter Four
There was a sharp jolt along her spine simultaneously as he twirled her right into a dance she had never danced before. Her shock and excitement abated her momentarily for her to tell him she hadn't yet learned this dance. In fact, there were quite a few new fashionable dances she hadn't learned yet because her family wasn't in society's company much anymore.
Gracefully, he shrugged the shoulder her hand was rested on. "I'll lead. It's called the Waltz."
Ah, the Waltz. She had heard of it. It was a dance brought over from the Continent. From what she heard it wasn't the easiest to master. Quickly, she discovered that when he said he would lead, he really meant, he would hold her up against his body and move them both.
She flushed at the intimate press of his hard body to hers. Her indecent gown allowed the bareness of her breasts to press flush against the fine cambric of his dress shirt. She could feel the muscular strain of his thighs through his pants and the layers of her skirts. She looked around to see if anyone was scandalized.
While the guests did seem to be watching her closely, it wasn't in horror of the impropriety, it was in sheer jealousy and envy, even non-malicious curiosity. She glanced at the couples dancing beside her, all almost equally close to their partners.
That settled, she took the next moment to take in what was happening, which was difficult with him whirling them around at a dizzying pace. Her mind conjured Kouga's face and she wondered if she had been rude to not think of him sooner. But how could she possibly have dismissed him politely with this before her? Just thinking of the Dark Duke made her blood come alive, her limbs were still blissfully numb.
She looked up and noticed for the first time that his mask was not the typical half-mask the other guests were wearing. He had a black scarf tied around the entire top half of his head, two holes cut for his eyes. It was fashioned like a sort of cap and underneath his hair was the most striking color of silver hair she had ever seen. It was braided in a long rope down his back. He must be wearing a wig, for he wasn't old enough to have gray hair and even if he was, no one had that color of gray.
Altogether, his costume made him look the part of a pirate. A delicious shiver ran through her.
"Kagome." His voice brought her back, and she looked up into his face, again she felt disorientated.
"How do you know my name?" She asked mindlessly, her attention lost in the potency of his sunset eyes.
"You were introduced into the ballroom, were you not?"
She flushed. Obviously she had been... but did that mean he had taken notice of her? Had he been watching her all night? So many questions stirred inside her.
"Yes, your grace."
He smiled a crooked half smile and her eyes were drawn to his mouth. One of his teeth looked suspiciously sharp but it was hard to scrutinize because it was only a glimpse. She had the impression she was being appraised by a hungry wolf.
"Are you frightened of me?" He asked with unabashed arrogance, like he wanted her fear.
"No," she answered honestly and a little breathlessly.
His eyes hooded fractionally. "That is curious. Tell me, has this ball been everything you had expected?"
Kagome felt envy at the long lashes hovering over his eyes. "Yes and no. I expected to see you and I expected you to make some grand entrance." She paused to check his reaction; there is a fine line between playful teasing and insulting. "But I certainly wasn't expecting there to be so many male servants."
He seemed interested. "Why would male servants surprise you?"
Her eyes drew a line down the sharp pane of his cheekbone. So much male perfection… "I have heard things, your grace, about your different lifestyle."
The Dark Duke smiled patiently.
What was it I was saying…? Why do I feel so compelled to answer him so directly? "There are certain rumors that say you have exclusively female servants. It is truly shocking, so I'm told, and I have witnessed more than one gentlewoman swoon upon hearing this."
He was quiet for a minute and Kagome felt his gloved hand at her waist twitch. She forgot how to draw breath. She was too aware of him, it was making her flushed and dazed. Was she speaking foolishly? Was she boring him?
"So you are told? Does that wicked rumor not scandalize you as well?"
"No, your grace. I understand fully that rumors are more often than not only rumors."
"And what if I told you it was true? That I only hired male servants tonight for propriety's sake?"
Kagome freely gazed into his beautiful and hypnotic eyes. Her body tensed as she read the answer in his face. She had been mistaken when she answered him earlier. She should be afraid; this man was dangerous. A slow, cold chill crawled up her spine.
As if he could sense her fear, he leaned his head close to her ear to whisper, "It is true, Kagome."
She didn't need to hear the words. But the thrill of them spoken so close to her face, dismayed her. She shouldn't be reacting so excitedly to this man. Her mind was screaming to run but her body was hesitating. She was still spellbound by this incredibly powerful and masculine man.
She couldn't help the question that bubbled from her lips, "So you do live in sin?"
His eyes focused across the ballroom; his mind somewhere else. "Perhaps, a different kind of sin than your rumors would suppose."
She felt weak with adrenaline, fatigued mentally as well as physically. The more he said, the more she feared. However, her curiosity kept her talking with this mysterious man.
"I do credit you for being a mystery to the ton for the last fifty years. If only I could manage that for my family."
His eyes snapped back to hers, a seriousness entered his low voice, "It wasn't by choice, Kagome."
Just then the music faded to a stop and Kagome became aware that the Dark Duke of Saxon was no longer moving her. However, she was still suspended in his arms.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, your grace." She said hoping he would take the hint; she needed to distance herself from him.
It was a moment before he released her; his eyes locked with hers for the entirety. "The pleasure was mine, Kagome." He bowed slightly at the waist and she dipped her head with a polite curtsey. "Excuse me." He turned on his heel and stalked back into the shadows.
Kagome watched him disappear and then turned and headed back in the direction of her mother. She should probably find Kouga and apologize to him as well. Her legs were weak and she hoped no one would notice as she made her way through the ballroom. Her senses felt acute now that she was released from his magnetic presence. She felt the eyes of the ton, heard the low and excited whispers, saw the curious expressions not veiled by the half-masks. And somewhere, she felt his eyes following her.
"Mama?" Her voice trembled slightly on finding her mother.
"Kagome," Baroness Higurashi rushed to her daughter's side. "I don't know if I should ask you if you are alright or not. He seems rather fearful."
Kagome smiled and took her mother's elbow. "Yes, I survived alright- barely." She began steering them to the chair her mother was previously occupying. "You shouldn't have risen, Mama. You must rest yourself."
Baroness Higurashi stopped Kagome with a hand to her daughter's arm. "I feel extraordinary tonight, Kagome. Do not worry for me." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Kagome. "You are the talk of the ton tonight. I daresay, everyone will be wanting to have your good graces. You are the first and only girl to have met the legendary Dark Duke."
The enormity of what had just transpired finally caught her. She hadn't realized before, for he was a very distracting man, that she had been singled out. That she would now be a curiosity. As this revelation fell upon her, they were approached.
"Miss Kagome! Baroness Higurashi! There you two are. I was just asking Souta where I might find you." The cheery voice of Baroness Bellmen called.
It wasn't long before a larger group of ladies found them as well and soon there were questions flying at Kagome. What had he whispered to her? Was he a delightful dancer? Was he going to dance with her again? Where has he been these past fifty years?
Kagome tried her best to answer these questions without stirring their overactive imaginations too much. She found it rather taxing to have to sensor herself but she didn't want a dozen noblewomen falling faint at her feet either. So she grinned and bore it with eloquence. She found it remarkably natural to deal with them, like they had never been shunned. Besides, the chaos of their demanding questions kept her mind firmly off the truth of what had happened... A truth she wasn't ready to delve into herself just yet.
The Dark Duke didn't make another appearance the remainder of the night. For which, Kagome was secretly glad. She wasn't sure she would be able to handle seeing him again. Let alone if he asked her to dance again; she shivered.
"Are you cold, sis? Here's the coach blanket." Souta handed Kagome the blanket from his seat in their carriage.
It was already early morning before she could persuade her mother to leave. She hated tearing her away when she was so happy to be among peers again. She was comforted by the success of the evening. Their re-admittance into the ton was looking possible.
"Thank you, Souta." She wrapped it about her bare shoulders.
"Wow, Sis. I still can't believe it. He chose you."
Kagome smiled weakly; everyone had been congratulating her all night. "Yeah, it was completely unexpected."
"So, what did you think of him? Are the stories true?"
She stared out the small window of the carriage. The morning was promising to be perfectly dreary.
"He certainly lives up to his reputation. I got the impression he believes he truly is something of a fairytale." She murmured absently.
"I wonder if it is true. All of it, I mean. The curse, the jewel-"
Kagome frowned. "Don't be silly, Souta. It can't possibly be true."
"If it was though-"
"Which it isn't."
"I bet a pure wish on the jewel would come true."
Baroness Higurashi stirred beside them. "I believe it would."
Kagome returned to looking out her window as Souta and her mother foolishly played the "what-if" game. Let them have their fun, but she wouldn't enjoy in their games. There was some kind of quality to the castle and to the Dark Duke that didn't settle with her. Something was above her understanding. All she knew was it inspired caution in her.
Tonight was only the beginning to the long journey back into society. Tonight only proved that Kagome had something to entertain them with. It would take more than that to keep the ton's interest and prove the Higurashis were worth reinstating.
Kouga had asked her for a drive in Hyde Park this morning. She had said yes; she certainly owed him that much for completely forgetting about him when the Dark Duke appeared. He had graciously excused her rudeness in return for a simple ride.
She knew it wouldn't be a simple ride, however. Kouga was looking for a way to court her again. She frowned. Maybe she was foolish to think so selfishly about love and romance novels. Maybe the original reasons she had for marrying Kouga were enough.
If he offered for her again, could she say no? Marrying him would be a complete, infallible insurance that her mother and Souta would never have to face a haughty ton again. They would be set for life. Souta would come to his Barony with the backing of a duke and have the opportunity to marry whomever he chooses. And mother, would be able to go to horse races, dinner parties and soirees like she used to.
All it needed was one sacrifice from Kagome… She could do it. She could manage a life of happiness with Kouga. It might lack a little passion but happiness was important. He would treat her right and in return she would have the peace of mind that Souta and her mother would be happy as well. Kouga was safe...
She moistened her lips. Safe... unlike a certain duke...
The carriage came to a halt outside their townhouse, abruptly stopping her thoughts. She would think about the masquerade, Kouga and the Dark Duke tomorrow.
Kagome's eyes snapped open and she grasped at the linen of her night gown. She struggled to disentangle herself from her bedclothes.
Something was wrong; she could feel it with a sickening certainty in her stomach. She was just shrugging into her shift when she heard foot steps hurrying to her door. She looked up expectantly as her mother rushed into her room.
Gone was the youthfulness Kagome had seen the night before,in its place was her mother's face looking unusually pale and streaked with tears.
"Souta is missing, Kagome." She gasped out.
Kagome's skin grew tight as she remembered bits and pieces of her dream. A dark room, a soft pinkish glow and a hand reaching out toward the light source.
She knew where to find him, "He's gone to the castle. Souta wants to find that jewel."
