Rain scolded her jittery nerves as she descended the curved stairs to the lower floor. It's only a ball. She'd been to countless balls. Only tonight, her husband would accompany her. Other than their yearly ball during their winter house party, he had not joined her for any social outings since their wedding. His presence would most likely set the tongues of the gossips wagging, but it was a risk she was willing to take. It might even work in her favour, as Marcus hated gossip even more than he hated people.

With nervous hands, she smoothed out imagined wrinkles on her dark-blue taffeta dress, wondering if he would like it. Not that she cared, per se, but she was vain enough to want to look her best. Or perhaps she simply wanted to remind her husband of what he had been missing all these years. Which made no sense. She had avoided him as much as he had her. He had hurt her so badly, and she wasn't sure she could ever forgive him. Nor was she sure he would ever forgive her for what he thought she had done in return.

Why he wanted to save their marriage was beyond her. It must simply be his pride and unwillingness to deal with the ramifications of admitting impotence. She could see no other reason to refuse. Ten kisses. She shook her head. It was a preposterous suggestion, but she would play along for the chance of having him reconsider the annulment.

"Miranda."

Marcus's deep voice brought her back to the present and she found him waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. His voice had been one of the first things she'd been attracted to about him. Well, that and that he was a handsome bastard. Dressed in black evening wear, he reminded her of the first evening they'd met out in the garden. He'd been sweet and funny. A little awkward perhaps, not being someone very well versed in conversing with others, but pleasant. Nothing like the stone-faced man now standing in front of her. A beautiful statue with high cheekbones and a straight nose. Another thing she'd always found attractive was his wide mouth with the fuller bottom lip.

His hazel eyes took in her appearance. She knew the colour of the dress brought out the cornflower blue of her eyes. The current fashion was for rather low-cut necklines, leaving much of her chest exposed. She wore a pearl necklace with a sapphire pendant resting gently on her bosom, and she could see exactly when Marcus's gaze fell on the gem. Holding back a smile, she waited for the inevitable compliment.

"Is this dress not indecently low?"

She huffed. He was such a buffoon! "No," she said tartly. "It is perfectly fashionable. A fact you would know had you ever attended any social events."

"I attended our ball in December," he grumbled. "I don't remember the ladies wearing dresses like this."

"They were." She rolled her eyes as she started walking towards the door. "But it was winter, so many wore shawls. Your attention to detail leaves much to be desired."

She could hear him follow behind her. "I have excellent attention for details," he muttered. "When it is things I care for. Dresses are out of my field of interest."

"What about women?" She threw a glance over her shoulder, only to be surprised by how close he was. She hurried her stride down the steps to their waiting carriage. A footman helped her inside and a moment later, Marcus followed, sitting down on the seat opposite hers.

When he said nothing, she raised an eyebrow questioningly. It took him a moment to realise she expected an answer to her question. She could see him shifting uncomfortably in his seat. The carriage felt a lot smaller with him inside it, and she had to stop herself from inching backwards.

"I pay little attention to ladies," he admitted, and she didn't know why, exactly, but a wave of relief washed over her.

Had she worried that he had sought the arms of other women when she wouldn't let him into their marriage bed? If he had, why did she care? She wanted an annulment, didn't she? The problem with not facing your problems was that you never resolved them. As she watched Marcus staring pensively out of the carriage window, there was so much hurt and resentment welling up inside her that she struggled to remain silent. She wanted to ask why. Why had he done what he did?

They had never discussed their marriage. Had only slipped into a new pattern of avoiding one another, each wallowing in their own pain and misery. She drummed her fingers on her knee, wondering if perhaps that was where they needed to start. But then, did she want to open that can of worms? There could be no excuse for his actions and hearing him try to make them would surely only cause more pain.

Not much later, they arrived at their destination: the ball of Lord and Lady Hartfield. Their daughter, Lady Mary, was a friend of Rain's. Unlike her husband, she had plenty of them. They were assisted out of the carriage and shown inside. As a footman announced them, many an eye took in their appearance, noting Rain's hand on Marcus's arm. You could almost see the rumour mill shuddering to a start as the whispered comments began.

After having been the most popular of the unmarried young ladies two Seasons in a row, Rain was used to having everyone's eyes on her. Marcus less so, and she could sense how tense he was through his stiff movements as he navigated them through the room. Taking pity on him, she nodded towards the refreshment table.

"Why don't you get us some punch?"

He nodded, and with a quick bow, he disappeared. Barely the blink of an eye passed before Rain was surrounded by Lady Mary Kinson and Miss Olivia Newton, two of her closest friends.

"So is this a thing, then?" Mary asked, as her eyes followed Marcus's retreating form. "Have you two reconciled?"

Rain shook her head. "Not exactly. It's complicated."

"It always is with the two of you." Olivia grinned. A cousin to Rain's brother-in-law, they had got along splendidly as they came out during the same Season two years ago. This was now Olivia's third, and she was still unmarried. Most likely because she had an unfortunate attachment to Marcus's younger brother. One which was not reciprocated.

"I'm surprised to see you tonight," Rain said. "I thought you were at the Kilkenny house party."

"Oh." Olivia's grey eyes avoided hers. "Everyone would have returned yesterday, but I admittedly left a day early. John kindly took me back in his carriage as he had business to attend to in London and had to leave."

John Osborne, another dear friend. Who was deeply in love with Olivia. Not that she noticed, since she was too caught up in her unrequited love for Dash. It was all quite the mess, really.

"It surprised me to see Winterbourne back at your home a few days ago," Olivia said, obviously not wishing to dwell on the Kilkenny party. "But to actually see him accompany you to a ball? I think you must satisfy our curiosity."

Mary gasped. "Winterbourne is back in the house? Living there?"

"For now. His set at the Albany is being renovated." She wasn't sure she believed him on that account but wasn't willing to share the suspicion with her friends.

"How did you convince him to go to a ball?" Olivia smiled. "I do not think I have seen him at a single event during the Season since your marriage."

Rain nodded. "He is not fond of the social scene."

"You didn't answer the question," Mary chided. "How did you get him to come tonight? Blackmail?"

It might have been a joke, but it hit a little too close to home. She forced a laugh. "It will remain my secret."

"Oh, that is not fair!" Mary laughed but quieted as a dark shadow loomed over them.

Turning around, Rain smiled at her husband, who had returned with a drink in each hand. His steps faltered as he approached the group of young women, but he nodded his greeting, his face remaining as impassive as ever.

"Lady Mary. Miss Newton."

They both curtsied. "Your Grace."

He handed Rain a glass, and she took a grateful sip. It was hot for the month of May, and the ballroom was already stifling as the Hartfields were popular, with many wanting to attend their events. Over the rim of her glass, she saw Marcus take a sip of his own before shifting from one foot to the other. Was he uncomfortable? She had never paid much attention to his behaviour out in public. During their courtship, they had mostly seen each other for rides in Hyde Park or the rare dance during a ball. His eyes had been for her and her only, something she had thought was a sign of his infatuation, but she had later realised was because she was the prize cow he had set his sight on.

He cleared his throat as he looked at the three women. "Are you enjoying your evening?"

Olivia smiled. "Very much so. Thank you for asking, Your Grace. Are you?"

Marcus's reply was an unintelligible grunt. After another sip of his punch, he turned to Mary. "And is your family well?"

She almost looked shocked at being addressed directly, automatically dropping another curtsy in front of the imposing duke. "Oh yes, very well. Thank you, Your Grace."

"And yours, Miss Newton?" Something about the awkwardness with which he spoke made Rain almost feel sorry for him. It was no wonder he so rarely attended social events.

"Very well, indeed, Your Grace." Olivia had to hide her smile behind her fan, but Rain recognised the amused glittering of her grey eyes.

The first notes of a waltz reached her ears. With a smile, Rain turned to her husband. "Dance with me."

After an uncertain glance towards the dance floor, which was quickly filling up with dancing couples, he nodded. Taking her glass, he put their drinks to the side and led her out onto the dance floor. Holding his arms out, she reached out and held him by the elbows as he did the same to her. His towering height made it slightly awkward, not helped by her being shorter than average. He was more than a head taller, the top of hers barely reaching his shoulders.

"Thank you for coming tonight," she said as they began moving around the room with the other couples.

"It is part of our deal."

She huffed. Couldn't he at least pretend to do it because she enjoyed a good ball? "Is that it?" she said. "All of this is simply an attempt to avoid an annulment to avoid anyone believing you impotent. That's the most important thing to you, isn't it?"

He frowned down at her after casting a quick glance around them to see if anyone had been listening in. "That is not what I said."

"It was implied."

"I implied nothing. I was stating a fact."

"For the love of..." She sighed. "I don't understand you."

"There is not much to understand." He kept his gaze straight over the top of her head, appearing focused on following the steps to the music. He was an adequate dancer, albeit not an excellent one. Whether it was due to his size or the lack of practice, she wasn't sure.

They finished the dance in silence, and as the last notes faded into the night, Marcus escorted her off the dance floor. She had expected him to drop her off with her friends, but he brought her outside to the terrace leading into the garden. After the heat of the ballroom, she didn't mind a moment of fresh air. Torches had been lit in the garden, lighting a path between the bushes and flowerbeds. A gentle breeze played with a few locks that had come undone from her hair, so she smoothed them back, fastening the strands behind her ears.

"I remember the first time I saw you." Marcus's words were quiet as he stared out over the gently lit garden. "I thought you were meeting one of your many admirers."

"But it was a cat." She smiled at the memory. Everything had been so different then. He had been so different then. No one could accuse him of being overly social or comfortable around people, but he had been charming towards her. She missed that Marcus. The giant standing next to her now was impossible to read, and he shared nothing of his feelings. If he had any.

He turned towards her, his hazel eyes as unreadable as always. "I would like to kiss you now."

She opened her mouth to reply, but closed it again, as she could only stare. Shaking her head slightly, she took a surprised step backwards. "What?"

In an unusual sign of unease, he lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck. "We are attending a ball, as per your request. I thought we should proceed with the first of our ten kisses."

A surprised laugh escaped her. "Marcus, we're in public. Anyone could come out here and see us!"

The line between his dark brows deepened. "Does it matter? We are married. What could they possibly do? Force us to marry again?"

"I suppose not," she said, trying to hide a smile. He wasn't wrong, but the matter-of-fact way in which he stated it amused her. "We may kiss, but—" She held her hand up as he took a step towards her. "I want to add another rule. Not in public. If anyone sees us kissing, it will be nigh impossible to be granted an annulment."

The muscle in his jaw twitched even as he nodded. "Fine."

Before she could react, he grabbed her by the elbow and escorted her onto the lit path, following it between sweet-smelling bushes and overflowing flowerbeds. At the end of the garden, they found a gazebo covered in clinging ivy vines, and he led her inside. The ivy blocked most of the light from outside, leaving them in a dusky cocoon and suddenly there were what seemed like a million butterflies fluttering in her abdomen.

Marcus had only kissed her a handful of times during their courtship. Chaste kisses on her cheek or briefly on her lips. She had put it down to him being an honourable and respectful man, but after she discovered his true reason for courting her, it was more likely because he had never desired her. She wondered what sort of kiss he was planning for tonight. Another chaste peck on her cheek?

In the faint light, she could only just about make out his features, his tall form towering over her in the small space. Their proximity meant she could feel the heat from his body, and the faint smell of bergamot and sandalwood tickled her nose. The lack of light made the situation feel much more intimate than she had planned for. She wanted their kisses to be quick and clinical, ideally. That way, she wouldn't have to worry about feeling anything. This... This was not at all what she had signed up for.

"Is this adequate?" Marcus enquired, his deep voice husky in the darkness.

She wanted to say no, but he had done exactly what she had asked. The ivy hid them from view, so no one would see if they shared a kiss.

"Y... Yes." She hated the breathy quality of her voice.

As Marcus took a step towards her, she drew in a sharp breath as the fluttering in her abdomen intensified. She wanted to cry at the realisation that she wanted him to kiss her. After all this time. After all that had happened. Her attraction to him remained. It was so unfair.

He hesitated and lifted his hand to her shoulder, his hand warm on her bare skin. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes." She steeled herself, forcing her nerves under control. "Let's do this."

She closed her eyes as she felt his fingertips trail along the curve of her shoulder and up along her neck to rest just below her ear. With his thumb, he tilted her head upwards, and she waited with bated breath for what would come next. A moment passed. Why wasn't he kissing her yet?

"Rain?" His soft voice made her open her eyes, and she nearly took a step backwards as his face was mere inches away.

"Yes?"

"Please don't frown quite so hard," he said, sounding almost amused. "It's not meant to be a punishment."

"Sorry," she muttered as she tried to relax her features. "Go ahead."

"As you wish, Your Grace."

Rain's eyelashes fluttered close as he bent closer, and a moment later his lips softly brushed over hers. It was so brief a stab of disappointment shot through her. But he returned, a little longer this time, finishing with a gentle nibble on her lower lip. The teasing kiss left her wanting more, her lips tingling in response. She swallowed as Marcus stepped away.

Looking up at him, she wished she could tell what he was feeling. Did the kiss affect him the same way it did her or was she alone in this? He was watching her quietly. Without thinking, her tongue darted out to lick the lip he'd nibbled, and she was pleased to see his eyes follow the movement. Maybe he wasn't entirely unaffected.

"One down. Nine to go," he mumbled.

"Will they all be this chaste?" She wasn't sure what she hoped his answer would be, but the dark look he gave her sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

"No."

~~~~~~