Compromised by the Duke (Completed)

Chapter 2. 1811 

Three hours into the ball, Jacqueline felt as if her feet were going to pop from her slippers. Her toes ached, the balls of her feet feeling as if they had been slammed repeatedly onto the marble floor. She had danced with four gentlemen, two vampires and two werewolves. None of them had been more than tolerable.
Jacqueline glanced down at her dance card, which was attached to her left wrist with a lavender silk ribbon. There was one dance left, a waltz. She glanced around the room, exhaling with frustration. None of the gentleman in that ballroom appealed to her, much less called to her or her wolf.
James walked over to her, sliding one arm around her shoulders. He took a sip from his glass of wine. "Not one gentleman caught your eye yet? I saw you dance with quite a few."
Jacqueline shook her head. "All of them are idiots brother. All of them took pleasure and stepping on my toes."
James shook his head. "You've had the same amount of luck as I have."
Jacqueline took a sip of her own glass of wine. "Do you mean to tell me that none of the young ladies here have captured your interest?"
James shook his head. "None of them. They are all much too snobbish."
Jacqueline opened her mouth to reply, but then froze. Turning her head, she caught the sweet smell of vanilla. Her eyes came to rest on the double doors leading out onto the terrace. Could it be that her mate was outside?
James glanced at his twin sister. "Jackie? Are you all right?"
Jacqueline quickly glanced at him. "I believe I have found my mate. I can't be sure, but I believe he is outside."
James nodded excitedly. "Then go, it could very well be him."
Giving her brother a tight squeeze, Jacqueline turned and followed the sweet smell out onto the terrace. Closing the double doors behind her, she turned her head left and right, searching for her mate. The delicious scent was intoxicating, so very close.
Jacqueline felt her wolf running around in circles inside her head, barking and whining with excitement. Following the vanilla scent, she moved past the terrace and threw a gate leading into the Kensington Palace Garden. She moved through the fragrant flowers, roses and lilacs, until she came to a Majestic clearing. She looked up at the moon, smiling as she realized Selena was performing her magic matchmaking skills.
The sound of boots stepping toward her had Jacqueline's head snapping around. A vicious growl of aggression began to climb up her throat, but then stopped as she smelled the delicious scent with full force. She took a step back, her eyes widening as she saw the gentleman standing before her.
He stood tall and majestic, his figure outlined perfectly in the moonlight. He possessed dark chestnut brown hair and vibrant blue green eyes. His muscular body was outlined in a three-piece black silk suit with a powder blue button up shirt white cravat and black boots. He was beautiful.
Jacqueline felt her wolf leap up and down with joy. She felt her heart spiral into a frantic pounding of excitement. He was her mate. The beautiful gentleman standing before her was her mate.
***
She was magnificent, a true beauty. Her dark red hair was fixed into a braided bun that exposed her creamy neck. Her eyes, a lovely lavender blue, danced beneath the moonlight like diamonds. Her voluptuous curves were accentuated in her cream silk gown. She was perfection.
Lord Nathaniel Howard, the Duke of Rutland, felt as if he was suffocating. But it wasn't a bad feeling, it was pure delight. His nose was inhabited by her sweet smell of sugar cookies. His wolf was jumping around inside his mind, barking and yapping with glee. Mate, this exquisite woman before him was his mate.
The beautiful young lady took a step forward, her smile causing Nathaniel's heart to pound like wildfire. Her voice, when she spoke, was soft and melodic, twisting around his heart like a silk ribbon. "Hello."
Nathaniel smiled, taking a step forward and closing the distance between them. He took her gloved hands into his, his thumbs brushing against her knuckles. "Hello."
***
Jacqueline felt her heart leap against her ribs. His voice was a deep and rich baritone that intertwined around her body like a velvet duvet. She couldn't breathe.
The gentleman brought her right hand up to his lips, brushing her knuckles with a soft kiss. "Wolf got your tongue?"
Jacqueline became bright pink, giggling and shaking her head. "No, no not at all. It's just that... I believe you and I are..."
The beautiful gentleman smiled softly. "Mates?"
Jacqueline nodded. "Yes, exactly. My wolf has been going mad ever since she smelled you."
The gentleman chuckled, sending vibrations through Jacqueline's body. "My wolf has been acting the same way, he's been going mad ever since he caught your scent."
Jacqueline giggled. "Then it seems we have found each other."
The gentleman nodded. "It seems we have. What is your name?"
Jacqueline. "My name is Jacqueline Bradford. And yours?"
Her companion brushed her cheek with his knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you Jacqueline. I am Lord Nathaniel Howard, the Duke of Rutland."
Jacqueline shivered at his electric touch, her right hand gripping his left one. "A pleasure to meet you as well your grace."
Nathaniel glanced down at her dance card, smiling as he noticed her empty slot. "It seems you have the waltz available for this evening."
Jacqueline smiled sheepishly. "I do. I was waiting for the right gentleman to ask for that dance."
Nathaniel's blue green eyes darkened with desire. "Am I that perfect gentleman?"
Jacqueline's eyes danced with excitement as she offered her dance card to him. "You certainly are."