Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 20

Ella kept on smiling for appearances sake. She was almost at her breaking point when the dinner was announced. When the dinner was served, Max took her hand and guided her towards the library. As soon as the library's door was closed, Ella's smile dropped and the tears started falling.

Max moved to take her in his arms. His hold was soft but firm like he was holding onto something precious. Ella felt like the most treasured and loved girl at the moment. Self doubt attacked almost at once. Her brain softly whispered, "he will care for how long?"

Ella realized that everyone in the ballroom was holding their breath. They were waiting for her life to fall apart. They wanted Max to leave her side and go to some other woman. They didn't want her marriage to succeed because of it did, every commoner would want a peer for a husband.

Ella moved away from his embrace to reassess the situation. She looked at Max's concerned face to see if she could find some answers in it. Would she lose him? Would she be able to bear seeing him with someone else? What if he fell in love? What would she do then?

"It's okay. We knew this would happen, we were prepared. You can't let them get to you like that. You promised to be brave." Max took her hand and softly traced her neck with the other one. Ella took a shuddering breath as she felt herself relax in Max's arms. The goosebumps she had had nothing to do with fear.

Ella looked at his half closed eyes, willing herself to be live him. Despite the fact that she wanted to drown in his sleepy gaze, she had a hard time convincing herself that a man like him could stay loyal. He was male perfection. Women would always be after him. Why would he stay by her side after she gives him his heir? Who would want a woman disfigured after giving birth?

Love made men stay with their women through thick and thin. They were friends and nothing more. Will he leave her to wallow in her sorrows?

"You are still frowning dear." Max snaked one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. His other hand kept on softly tracing her neck and cheek. Ella just had to stand on her toes and she would be close enough to press her lips against his.

For the last week they had been sharing a room but had never been intimate. Max would always come in late. By then Ella would be asleep. The first time she was waited on the couch and fell asleep there. Next morning she woke up in her bed. At some point during the night, Max must have carried her. After that she was so embarrassed that she would always wait on the bed with a book. Every morning she would find the book that she slept with on her dressing table and Max by her side.

After Bella's description of the act between a man and a woman, Ella was doubtful if she wanted Max to touch her. But Bella's whole marriage is unpleasant. Maybe her sister was wrong, maybe it didn't feel so bad or humiliating.

Ella realized a little too late that she had been staring at Max's lips for sometime. She looked up to see if he noticed the direction of her gaze. His eyes were two shades darker with dilated pupils. He looked drunk and sober at the same time.

"I have a mute for a wife. How lucky can a man get?" Max playfully said. Ella ran her tongue over her lips that suddenly felt dry. She heard Max growl as he followed her gesture with his eyes. Feeling as if she had done something unacceptable, Ella sank her teeth into her lips.

Max's hold tightened on her as he pulled her closer. With a growl, his lips landed on hers. They were firm but soft. Ella was surprised to find that the hard man she felt against her body had such soft lips. He kissed her with such skill that the kiss he gave her at the wedding felt chaste.

Ella gasped as Max lightly bit her lip. As soon as her mouth was open, Max pushed his tongue in. Ella felt light headed at the sensations that he was making her feel.

Max was moving her face by applying pressure on her neck when the two of them heard the scream. They sprang apart as if burned. Max immediately followed the sound and was surprised to find himself behind the bookshelf. In front of screaming Lady Margaret was a dead Duke Bradford.

Another death! And it's Bradford. Who could it be? Any guesses?