Ch. 2 The duke and the fire

Lost in a whirlwind of memories, I sink into the comforting embrace of my couch. Surrounded by the sweet smell of her perfume and the bitter taste of whiskey, I find myself enveloped in a haze of longing and desire.
My gaze fixates on the dancing flames in the fireplace, each flicker a poignant reminder of her presence—the woman whose ethereal grace still haunts my thoughts. 

I heave a sigh, the weight of her absence pressing against my chest like a leaden weight.
Placing my hand protectively on my forehead, I try to calm the tumult of emotions swirling within me. 

The memory of our dance captivates me, every movement vividly etched in my memory. 

Her hand in mine, the gentle curve of her waist under my touch, the fleeting warmth of her smile. 

Was she just a wallflower, or did our connection go deeper than I dared to hope?

It had felt so different to all the other ones.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, determined to find her once more. 

I have to see her again! 

I have to dance with her again and see her shy, shining eyes when I look at her again!

Her voice, the way she walks—I absolutely have to see her again.
But it's going to be difficult. I don't know her name or where she lives! 

And it's written in the stars whether she'll be attending another ball.
Sighing thoughtfully, I place my hand under my chin, lost in contemplation. 

Maybe I'll find a clue in my memories. 

A clue that will help me identify her.

Just a moment.

"Ellie!" I call out urgently, my voice echoing through the halls of my estate. 

"Where are you? Ellie!"
"My Duke, I'm here!" Ellie's voice rings out from a nearby corridor, and I hasten in her direction.
As expected, I find her engaged in conversation with a young boy, their heads bent together in hushed tones. With a wave of her hand, Ellie dismisses the boy and hurries over to me.
"Ellie, listen," I begin, my tone urgent. "I need to know more about this lady... the wallflower. The one with the flashy black hair who danced with me. Do you know anything?"
Her brow furrows in confusion. 

"What lady, my lord? There were a lot of wallflowers at the Duke's dance last night."
I sigh in frustration, feeling a pang of disappointment. 

"The one with the black hair... she was stunning, and her..." I trail off, meeting Ellie's gaze with a furrowed brow.
But as I look into her eyes, I sense a shift in the air, a subtle tension that sets my heart racing. 

Why is Ellie so slow on the uptake today? And what is that look in her eyes? Is she trying to tell me something?
Ellie's eyes widen with realization, and she takes a step closer. 

"My Duke, you never ask about a lady. Is there something special about her?"
Suddenly, it dawns on me—the fluttering in my chest, the whirlwind of emotions that have consumed my thoughts. This is what it feels like to be in love

"Ellie, what is her name?" I ask urgently, the need to find the mysterious woman consuming my thoughts, unwilling to waste another moment in my quest to locate her once more.
She smiles and gives me a playful wink before replying, her eyes filled with amusement.
"Her name is Emma, my lord. Emma Greene." Her tone suggests she finds it amusing that I didn't recognize the woman she's referring to.
I smile back at Ellie's response, relieved to have at least a name now, a starting point for my search.
"Ellie, I have to find this woman quickly. Is she single?" I inquire, my hopes rising as I anticipate her answer.
She smiles and nods at me.
"Yes, my lord. She has always been single and has refused all suitors. The gossip of the court is that Emma Greene is difficult to obtain, but you might be able to try."
There's a hint of amusement in her voice, as if she's looking forward to hearing my story about this mysterious lady.

I smile at Ellie and pat her on the shoulder as I leave.
"Thank you, Ellie. I promise I will tell you what happens with... Miss Emma Greene."
Already, I'm planning my next move. 

I know how to convince Miss Greene—in fact, I'm sure that she was as drawn to me as I was to her.

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