Chapter 5 Duke-005

When Hazel entered the tea party hosted by Countess Lora, the atmosphere in the room immediately changed. The previously lively and curious gazes of the guests now focused on Lady Hazel Ellsworth, a figure rarely seen at such social events.

"Is she really Lady Hazel Ellsworth?" whispered a middle-aged woman to her friend.

"Yes, she is. I heard a rumor that she met a mysterious man at Marquess Margaux's party," her friend replied with gossiping enthusiasm.

"Mysterious man? Not her fiancé? How shocking!"

Hazel, accustomed to such conversations, lifted her chin slightly. She knew her task was to endure the gathering until the end without paying attention to the gossip. However, she was also aware that the servant sent by her father to oversee her was a spy who would report her every move to Barnum.

Carefully, Hazel chose a corner of the room to sit, trying not to be too conspicuous. Her mind was still filled with thoughts about her mother and two older brothers. As far as she remembered, her mother never defended her in front of their father, nor did her two brothers. They always left Hazel alone after Barnum scolded her. Were their attentions yesterday just superficial?

"Lady Hazel, it is truly an honor to meet you here," said Countess Lora with a gentle smile as she approached Hazel. "We rarely see you at such events."

Hazel gave a thin smile, holding back the sudden nervousness. "Thank you, Countess Lora. I'm pleased to be here today."

"Of course, please enjoy this tea party. We have a variety of teas and cakes that I'm sure you'll like," Countess Lora said warmly before going to greet other guests.

Hazel sighed softly, trying to enjoy the ambiance of the gathering. However, the glances and whispers from the guests continued to disturb her. She tried to remain calm, even though she still felt uncomfortable inside.

"Are you alright, Lady Hazel?" asked a young woman with a concerned tone, sitting next to her. "I've heard some rumors circulating, but I don't believe all of them."

Hazel glanced briefly at the young woman, trying to gauge her sincerity. "I'm fine, thank you. Light conversation like this often happens at such events," she replied calmly.

The young woman smiled in relief, responding to Hazel's answer. "You're right, Lady Hazel. I'm sure you can handle everything well."

Hazel merely nodded slightly, not intending to continue the conversation further. While enjoying the fragrant tea, she tried to stay focused on the event. She knew that every step she took would be watched by her father. Therefore, she had to be careful, even though her mind was still filled with questions and doubts.

After the tea party ended, although Hazel felt relieved, her mind was still occupied with various thoughts. She realized there was still time before she had to return home. Quickly, she asked her driver to stop by a famous bakery her mother often visited. Her mother frequently brought cakes from there after attending social events, and Hazel hoped that by bringing these cakes home, she could strengthen her relationship with her mother.

"Wait here for a moment, servant. I'm just going to buy a cake for Mother," Hazel said as she arrived at the bakery.

The servant nodded obediently, allowing Hazel to enter the shop alone. As Hazel placed her order and had to wait for a while, a familiar voice startled her.

"Lady, you look charming in that soft-colored dress," the man's voice said. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Hazel turned around and saw the man she had previously met at Marquess Margaux's party. The athletic man with black hair and sharp blue eyes smiled at her.

"You..." Hazel didn't have a chance to finish her sentence before the man offered something.

"How about we sit together for a while and enjoy a cup of tea?" he offered warmly.

Hazel shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm just stopping by to buy a cake and need to return home quickly."

"But your order isn't ready yet, is it?" The man chuckled softly. "Oh, and about my coat that you haven't returned, Lady. Perhaps you could spare a little time for it?"

Remembering the coat she still had, Hazel felt a bit guilty and finally nodded. "Alright, just for a moment."

The man smiled broadly and invited her into a private VIP room inside the bakery. He instructed the staff to prepare Hazel's order well while they chatted and enjoyed tea.

"So, how was the party earlier?" the man asked after they sat down and the tea was served. Hazel looked puzzled, and the man explained, "You're in a dress, you must have just come from a social event."

Hazel felt a bit awkward. "Not bad, although I'm not very familiar with many people there."

The man raised an eyebrow. "So, did you feel bored because you didn't meet me?"

Hazel stared at his sharp blue eyes. "Don't try to flirt with me."

Hazel sat restlessly, aware of the man's sharp gaze penetrating her defenses. He moved closer, his face nearing Hazel's, until she could feel his warm breath.

"Why is your face red, Lady?" the man asked in a low, teasing voice.

Hazel blushed even more, her face growing warmer. The man chuckled softly, his voice full of seduction.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything inappropriate," he said with a smile. "I only want to pour you a cup of tea."

Hazel looked down, embarrassed by her misunderstanding. "Sorry, I... I thought..."

The man grinned. "Oh, so you thought I had other intentions?"

"No! That's not it!" Hazel quickly protested.

The man laughed softly, his voice vibrating in Hazel's heart. "Didn't you say you wanted to sleep with me back then?"

Hazel's face turned red instantly; she felt her body freeze. "I... I lost control at that time," she answered in a near-whisper.

The man leaned in closer, his eyes piercing into Hazel's. "But didn't you admit that at that time you were thinking clearly and not drunk?"

Hazel was silent, unsure of what to say. She lowered her head, trying to avoid the man's gaze. "I... I will return your coat at the next meeting," she said softly.

Unexpectedly, the man grabbed Hazel's hand and easily lifted her petite body onto his lap. Hazel gasped, her face turning red, but the man only gave a faint smile.

"What are you doing?!" Hazel asked in a shocked and embarrassed voice.

The man simply looked at her with his sharp blue eyes, as if seeing directly into her heart. "Just making sure you don't run away," he answered gently but firmly.

Hazel was silent, unable to say anything. She felt her body weaken in his embrace.

In the VIP room, illuminated by the soft light from decorative lamps, Hazel felt a strange sensation as she sat on the lap of the mysterious man. Her face was flushed, and with embarrassment, she tried to get down, but the man quickly held her hand and hugged her tightly.

"What are you trying to do?!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice trembling between anger and embarrassment.

The man looked at her with a mysterious gaze. "Aren't you the one who wanted this intimacy, Lady?"

Hazel shook her head quickly, but her flushed face only attracted more of the man's attention. Her pale skin now looked flushed, adding to the captivating allure.

"Do you not have any interest in me now?" the man asked, his voice low and seductive.

Hazel was confused and stunned. "What do you mean?"

The man raised his eyebrows slightly, a thin smile playing on his slender lips. "Didn't you say you wanted to sleep with me?"

Hazel's face turned red again; she felt her body freeze. "I... I lost control at that time," she answered in a near-whisper.

The man leaned in closer, his eyes piercing into Hazel's. "But didn't you admit that at that time you were thinking clearly and not drunk?"

Hazel was silent, unsure of what to say. She lowered her head, trying to avoid the man's gaze. "I... I will return your coat at the next meeting," she said softly.

Unexpectedly, the man grabbed Hazel's hand and easily lifted her petite body onto his lap. Hazel gasped, her face turning red, but the man only gave a faint smile.

"What are you doing?!" Hazel asked in a shocked and embarrassed voice.

The man simply looked at her with his sharp blue eyes, as if seeing directly into her heart. "Just making sure you don't run away," he answered gently but firmly.

Hazel was silent, unable to say anything. She felt her body weaken in his embrace.

In the VIP room, illuminated by the soft light from decorative lamps, Hazel felt a strange sensation as she sat on the lap of the mysterious man. Her face was flushed, and with embarrassment, she tried to get down, but the man quickly held her hand and hugged her tightly.

"What are you trying to do?!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice trembling between anger and embarrassment.

The man looked at her with a mysterious gaze. "Aren't you the one who wanted this intimacy, Lady?"

Hazel shook her head quickly, but her flushed face only attracted more of the man's attention. Her pale skin now looked flushed, adding to the captivating allure.

"Do you not have any interest in me now?" the man asked, his voice low and seductive.

Hazel was confused and stunned. "What do you mean?"

The man raised his eyebrows slightly, a thin smile playing on his slender lips. "Didn't you say you wanted to sleep with me?"

Hazel's face turned red again; she didn't know what to say. As she was about to open her mouth to explain, the man suddenly silenced her with a hot, wet, and intense kiss. Their lips met in an explosion of deep and unexpected passion.

Hazel felt her body melt in the man's embrace, her heart racing. She tried to resist, but eventually gave in to the overwhelming feelings. The kiss seemed to transport them to another world, where only the two of them existed.

After what felt like an eternity, the man finally released the kiss. They both panted, looking at each other with eyes full of emotion. Hazel still felt the heat of the kiss on her lips, and she couldn't avoid the man's gaze, which radiated deep attraction.

"So, how do you feel now, Lady?" the man whispered, his voice husky with desire. It was the same question he had asked when he kissed her at the party some time ago.

Hazel could only remain silent, unable to answer. All her emotions and feelings were swirling inside her, leaving her confused and blushing. In the man's embrace, she knew that something had changed, something that could no longer be avoided.

"L-Let me go!"

***