Chapter 2: CHAPTER 1

"Goodness Gracious, Susan Spencer! You are still in your underwear. The party will soon be over, and you have yet to pick a dress." Mrs Spencer stood in the middle of the room with her hands on her waist.

Susan's mouth twisted from side to side as she eyed the dresses on her bed. "Mama? Which one do you think would fit me better?" Susan glanced at her mother, who looked at her in disapproval as her hands made their way to her hip.

"Trust me, child, whatever you choose to wear will look good on you." Susan rolled her eyes at her mother's attempt of trying to hasten her dressing. "Young lady, your father wants your presence downstairs."

"Humph, would he notice me in this colour?" She scratched her head, brows pinched together.

"Your father will notice you in whatever you wear. He wants to introduce you to Viscount William—"

"Aha! I found it! I found it! This blue is perfect! It matches the colour of his eyes." A blinding smile made its way to Susan's lips as she hugged the dress.

Mrs Spencer's brows pinched together, "That is certainly wrong. Your father's eye colour is brown— Susan Spencer! I hope you are not doing what I am thinking."

"What are you thinking, mama?" Susan beamed at her mother.

"Are you still head over heels for that man?"

"Which man, Mama?"

"Susan Spencer!" Mrs Spencer whisper-yelled. "You must end this infatuation right now! Do not let your father or anyone else get a whiff of your scandalous feelings!"

"Relax, mama. I am sure Edmund loves me, too. All he needs to do is to admit it. I will make him admit it."

"Sussy, how many times do I have to tell you that a woman does not go after a man! It is not an acceptable act from a respectable lady like yourself. Behaving like this will pursue potential suitors."

"I am right here with you, mama. I am not going after any man. You and I know I currently do not have a potential suitor at the doorstep."

Mrs Spencer moved to help her fit into the dress. "That is because you keep turning them down, and my dear, that will soon create a bad reputation for you in the eyes of men if we don't put an end to it. You deserve better, my child. That man is not what you need. He is not capable of loving you the way you are supposed to be loved. You know that better than anyone..."

Susan nodded absentmindedly to whatever her mother said as she slipped into the blue satin dress that hugged her body perfectly. "You look magnificent, Sussy." For the first time, a genuine smile that sent the corners of Mrs Spencer's face lit up her facial features.

"And so do you, mama." Susan turned around and kissed her mother on the cheeks.

"I will give you time to put yourself together."

"Thank you."

Alone in the room, Susan beamed at her reflection in the mirror. She felt so giddy. She could feel her lips threatening to reach her ears. She hadn't even seen him yet, but the tingles were still as fresh as they were two years ago. She could still feel those electrifying blue eyes piercing her skin tantalisingly.

Taking deep breaths, she walked out of the room.

Edmund stood in a corner of the room with a clear look of displeasure perched on his face as he eyed the little crowd of judgemental people. He was a tall man with admirable features that distinguished him from the crowd. Men and women eyed him from all corners of the room. Some eyed with disgust, while some with fear and admiration.

He searched his head for the hundredth time, looking for a tangible reason he agreed to attend the party. Oh, right. Jake, his younger brother, had begged him to be his plus one to the devilish party because the woman he had been trying to woe was present. He eyed his younger brother, who mingled with grace. His boyish smile melted the crowd's heart.

"Duke Edmund," Edmund not-so-eagerly turned around to meet the intruder, who happened to be their host.

"Lord Spencer, Good evening." Edmund greeted. After a few seconds of awkward silence, he added, "The place is as lovely as ever."

Lord Spencer chuckled at the compliment, "I am in no place to take credit for this magnificent creativity. It is all my lovely wife's doing."

Edmund couldn't miss the man's admiration for his wife in his voice, "She did a great job." He added.

Raising the glass to his lips, Lord Spencer took a sip, "Took you long enough to show your face to the society. Are you back for good this time, or should we expect another sudden disappearance?"

"I don't have an answer to that question, Lord Spencer." His eyes searched the crowd, and when he didn't find anything interesting, he reluctantly settled them on Lord Spencer, an Old acquaintance. The old man's dark brown eyes reminded him of a certain Vixen.

A soft smile made its way to Lord Spencer's lips, "I hope it is for good this time."

"I can't say for now,"

"You already said that before." After a few seconds of another awkward silence, Lord Spencer added, "So, have you found any woman yet?"

"Why do you ask?" Edmund attempted to hide that he was displeased with the man's attempt to pry into his private life.

"Why do I ask? Let's say I am curious?" The corners of Lord Spencer's mouth pulled up in a harmless smile as he observed the young man.

"Well, I didn't find any woman because I was not looking for one."

"Why didn't you look for a woman?"

Edmund's brow shot up in displeasure, "Why the devil are you suddenly interested in my marital life?"

Lord Spencer's lips pulled up again, "Because I am just curious, or do you plan to continue pursuing my daughter?"

Edmund blinked at the Lord, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me right. Now that you are back, please stay as far away from her as possible if you do not have any plans of marrying her. I want her to marry Viscount William Robinson. He adores my little girl so much."

Edmund took a few seconds to process Lord Spencer's words. "I see. Do believe me when I say I want nothing to do with your precious daughter. She was the one running after me like a little puppy. I would advise you to put a leash on her. She is not even my type, never has been, and never will be." Edmund knew he might have gone overboard there, but it was for the best. He hoped.

Lord Spencer's nose flared, but he still managed a smile. "My daughter knows her worth. She knows better than to run after a man, especially the one who doesn't value her."

"If you say so, Lord Spencer."

"I will take your words and hope you plan to keep it that way."

The corners of Edmund's lips pulled up in a very proud and confident smirk, "Yes, I do. You have nothing to fear. Your little princess is safe."

Lord Spencer's lips also pulled up. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"Do you need anything from me?" Edmund asked with his brows still up.

"I want to purchase some horses. I could use your help."

"What made you think I would help you?"

"Because my daughter is always talking about your love for horses."

"She did?" Edmund unconsciously straightened his back.

"Unfortunately. I will be expecting you tomorrow morning."

"I didn't say I would be coming."

"Till tomorrow. I shall leave you to enjoy the rest of the party." Lord Spencer walked away, mingling with the rest of the crowd. Edmund rolled his eyes.

Summoning all her gracious qualities, Susan cascaded down the stairs with her head held high, an alluring smile adorning her face. Her mere presence brightened the room and brought smiles to everyone's faces. That was who she was. She had that effect on everyone— except one handsome devil. She walked straight to her father, who already had his hand held out.

"You look wonderful tonight, my princess. I mean, you always do." Lord Spencer praised. Not holding back any ounce of love and admiration for his little girl. His pride. After many years of his wife not conceiving, Susan came along as a breath of fresh air in their suffocating world to save them from shame, which was why he decided to give her the best. Best husband included.

"Thank you, papa." Susan beamed at her father, eyes involuntarily roaming around the room in search of something— Someone. It was not difficult to see him in the crowd. Body as robust and towering as ever. Oh, those blue eyes, how she had missed them so much. Is it just me, or did the devil get more handsome? She straightened her back and looked away when she realized he was also looking at her. She graciously followed her father around the room, smiling and chatting with people.

Edmund grabbed a glass of wine from the passing waiter and gulped everything at once, yet it didn't soothe the raging confusion in him. Who is that? He asked himself as his eyes followed her every move in the room like a hawk. He couldn't help but wonder if she was the same little girl from two years ago.

Susan continued to obediently follow her father around the room while fighting against the urge to run towards the devil in the corner of the room and throw herself into his arms. She could feel those blue eyes on her. No need to turn to confirm. They were burning her every being, almost making her lose her sanity in the room. Should I go now? Is this the right time? No, No. I won't give him that satisfaction anymore, like I did two years ago. She couldn't help but pat herself on the back for lasting that long without throwing herself at him.

Edmund couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. He could have sworn that the little vixen would be throwing herself at him once she saw him, but nothing like that happened. The only contact they have shared so far was a brief eye contact, and that's about it. It seemed the lady in the room was a whole new being. She didn't even bother to acknowledge him, unlike before when she was usually the first person to greet or welcome him in a social gathering such as the one they were in.

His eyes twinkled as they roamed all over her curvaceous body. He couldn't help but wonder if the curves were real or if the vixen padded herself up with all those devious things women usually use to deceive men. How about we find out? His inner demon chimed, making his fingers deliciously twitch, but he was fast to push the thought out of the window and focus on the issue at hand. The issue at hand? Since when did thinking about that vixen become an issue? He shook his head and tried to forget about the witch that danced around in the arms of various men. He wasn't the only one who couldn't take his eyes off her.

Susan couldn't help but feel a little suffocated. Being in the same room with the devil and not being able to talk or hold him was much more difficult than she had expected. She was desperate to feel the warmth of his body. 'Remember not to make him see how desperate you are,' A familiar voice echoed at the back of her mind. When she couldn't hold it anymore, she excused herself from the room, claiming to want to use the ladies' room.

Edmund's back straightened when he saw the vixen leave the room. He knew exactly where she was going. The garden. She always goes there to relieve herself when it gets too much in such gatherings. According to her, the garden was her haven. It was where they first met.

Susan removed her shoes and sighed in relief when her feet touched the cool grass. She sat on the bench that was hidden by beautiful flowers. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh air when she felt goosebumps grace her skin. Opening her eyes, she smiled. It was still the same. She shivered in delight, an unmistakable feeling only one man could arouse in her.

Once again, she Internally patted herself for managing to get his attention. In a voice loud enough for the man hiding behind the flowers to hear, she said, "I know you are here. Come out."

Edmund felt his heart skip a beat before stepping out of his hiding. What was that? He asked himself. "Good evening, Lady Susan." He greeted. His eyes roamed her sitting figure, and Christ! She had gotten more beautiful, almost like a woman. Almost like the type of woman he would...desire. He shook his head to discard the thought at once.

Susan gulped as her eyes greedily drank in the figure of the devil. He looked stronger than he did two years ago. How come he has not aged one bit? What's the secret? Did the man cast a spell on me? If he did, then it must be a very potent one...not that I mind. Those robust hands. She would give anything to have them on her. "Duke Edmund," She finally acknowledged him with a demure smile.

Edmund blinked twice at the honorifics. She wasn't a fan of honorifics, especially when it came to him. She always called him by his name or the nickname 'Eddie,' What changed? Does she not love me anymore? That would be great! He straightened his back and asked, "How have you been, Lady Susan?"

"I have been well, Lord Edmund, thank you. What about you? How have you been?"

He cleared his throat, "I have been doing well, Lady Susan."

"That is good to know." An awkward silence settled between them. "Are you back for good?"

Edmund internally rolled his eyes, "I don't know. I still have some unfinished business in Cityville. I might go back any time."

Susan's heart sank. It was not the answer she had expected. The thought of what happened two years ago repeating itself made her want to puke. She had to act faster on her plans. Pushing away the ill feeling, she plastered a smile. "How long would you be staying here for?"

He shrugged before his eyes narrowed infinitesimally, "I am not sure— Why does it sound like you are trying to get rid of me?"

Oh, it is quite the opposite, Eddie. Susan's lips tipped further as she wondered if the man had always been clueless. "Why would I try to get rid of you, Lord Edmund?"

"I don't know."

"You seem to be quite unsure of a lot of things."

"You can say that."

"Why is that?"

"I don't know. You have changed a lot."

"I have changed a lot? In what way?"

"In a lot of ways..." You look more beautiful and distant...

"In a good or bad way?"

"I don't know, but I like it."

Of course, it took me a great deal to look like this—for you. Why didn't you like me before? What was I doing wrong?

"It was nice talking to you, Duke Edmund. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Susan left the garden, leaving a confused Edmund to ponder on what he did to anger her.