Secrets.

He looked at her and tilted his head to the side. He knew it was rude to stare but she was very beautiful. He liked her eyes the best he decided. Her clear grey orbs. Suddenly his mood changed, he looked annoyed and his expression became one of indifference.

She cleared her throat and she curtsied to him. " Lord Ainsworth, good day Your grace."
She smoothed the non existent crease on her gown. She was very uncomfortable under his scrutinizing eyes. This was the first time she had ever been in the presence of a highly placed noble, particularly a young, handsome and intimidating duke. She had heard the rumours about his beauty but it seemed to be too unreal. She was wrong, deeply.

He shook his head, frowned and scolded himself for staring at her. He scowled and looked away from her. He regained his composure and squared his shoulders.

"Miss Howells, I presume? The duchess would join you soon in the drawing room. I assume you know where that is." He cleared his throat and excused himself.

He began walking away hastily. He swore to himself to avoid her at all costs through out her stay at Winterfield Estate. She ignited in him things that he had never felt, understood, add never wanted to, he had just admitted to himself that she was beautiful. He concluded that he hated her.

As soon as he began walking away, Duraina fell into a deep curtsy. She felt her shoulders ease up a little, she was afraid of him but also intrigued by him. There was something beneath all of his silence and the scrutinizing gaze.

She walked towards the drawing room which the butler had pointed to when she stubbornly refused to be accompanied to. She always hated people who looked down on others and that is what the butler did. She knew she wasn't nobility but still, she deserved a little respect. Even the butler should know that.

AN: Let's unravel this mystery?
gbenuola.