To Hate The Duke

Chapter Three - To Proving Lies & To Locked Desires

"Would you dance this song with me?"

I turn around slowly, making sure those words had come out of somebody else. Because of course they came out of another's mouth. Right?

But he's standing there, in a black suit with a bow, chestnut hair and  a frown on his face.

"Would you dance this song with me, please?" He repeats. But it's as if he is forcing himself to ask. Goodness if this is his way of asking for a dance, I feel sorry for the unlucky woman he'll ask to marry.

"Umm..." I whisper, trying to find words. "Why would, the rustic girl, ever want to dance with you?"

He takes a deep breath and walks forward. "Because I'd enjoy a dance with you." He grunts.

"Seriously?" He nods. "Well it doesn't seem like you would." I declare. "Besides you don't even know me."

"Will you just dance with me?" He sounds exasperated or maybe indifferent. "It's after all, just a dance."

"No I will not! You chose not tell me who you were and smugly and secretly humiliated me during that bloody toasting ceremony." I blurt.

I turn around to leave and then turn back to face him one last time "And a penny for your dim-witted thoughts, a dance isn't just a dance." I state. "Especially in this room."

He doesn't say anything, though his continued furrowed brows says it all. And so I leave. Why did he have to be there right now, I wanted to enjoy that room-

"Would you prove it to me?"

I stop in my tracks. "What?" I ask, turning to face him.

"Would you prove to me that a dance isn't just a dance?" He insists. "Especially in this room?"

He's expression changes and for a moment he seems so sweet, with a small smile on his face, he appears sincerely curious at my statement. 

I stare at him, should I do it? Maybe if I accept, it will appear like I'm too indifferent to care whether I dance with him or not. Before I can think anymore, my mouth gets ahead of me.

"Fine then." I say with a sigh and walk down the stairs towards him, place my bag on a chair nearby and he holds his hand out. I stop, not sure if I should take the hand of this stranger. This handsome stranger. I was close enough to see it now. He was handsome, a classic handsome, dark eyes, chestnut hair with refined features. Objectively, very handsome... but not my type. No. Especially with that personality.

I take his hand, and I feel nervous. "What song is this?" I ask, trying to distract myself.

"Once Upon A Time In Paris." He responds, not looking at me. "By Erik Satie."

"It sounds lovely." I whisper.

This time he looks at me, his eyes serious. "That's because it is." He says and positions his hand on my waist. "Lovely."

I frown and he pulls me closer, placing my hand in his. And we begin to sway. This is exactly why a dance is never just a dance.

He doesn't wait a beat. "So why, especially in this room?"

"Well, I'm most certain you've heard of Downton abbey?" He nods. "Well my favourite couple from the TV show danced here.." 

I wait for his reply but he does truly seem indifferent to our conversation. " It was very romantic." I say to myself.

"Hmm." He seems to say to himself too.

We dance and I start catching his scent. It's a pleasant smell. Clean cologne and recently shaved, maybe. His hand on my waist feels heavier and I swear my heart is beating so loud even Mars could hear it. As we dance, we seem to get closer and I stare at the walls as we pass them slowly, but I can feel his stare on me. I do my best to ignore it but I decide to challenge him and stare right back at him. The Duke turns his head completely to mine, taking part in this dare. Close enough to see his eyes more clearly I notice them darker than I thought them to be, so dark you could see stars.