Ryan retreated to his study, the clamor of the ballroom a distant echo. The dance with Suzy had left him unsettled, a strange pull towards her that he couldn't explain. He needed solitude, time to process the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed him.
As he sat down on his chair, he rubbed his temple. His head throbbed with a mixture of exhaustion and a strange sense of unease. He needed a moment of peace, a chance to collect his thoughts.
As he tried to collect his thoughts, the door creaked open, revealing an unexpected visitor. A woman stood in the doorway, her presence as imposing as the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. She was tall and slender, with long, straight black hair that cascaded down her back. Her red dress was a bold contrast to the subdued tones of the room, and her eyes held a predatory glint.
"Duchess," he began, his voice laced with surprise, but the words died on his lips as he took in her appearance.