Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I push him gently but firmly away just as the door swings open, and Lady Tillsbury appears, her eyes, full to the brim with knowing, passing between us, dancing, concluding correctly, although I shall never admit it. God damn me, what have I done?
I clear my throat and push my shoulders back. ‘I thank you for your graciousness,’ I say to her, shuffling past, exhaling heavily and closing my eyes tightly. My goodness, I can’t even comprehend what has happened. All I know, and it is surely dangerous, is that I felt alive when he kissed me and crushed when he looked at me with regret.
I swallow and glance over my shoulder, seeing the Duke is wisely keeping his distance, although his eyes remain fixed on my shaky form, his expression sharp and as unforgiving as every one of his kisses. It is true, what I thought, for it would have been a travesty to die without the experience of a kiss from the Duke, but now I find myself in an even more unfortunate situation.
Wanting more.
Thankfully, Mother is steadfast in her ambitions to be accepted into the ton, consequently meaning she is still suitably distracted upon my return to the ballroom. The same cannot be said for Frederick, who is standing alone on the edge of the dancefloor with a glass in each hand, one water, one Champagne, looking lost. As I approach alone, no less, I can see him scanning my face for any signs that I have, in fact, fallen flat on my face and injured myself. Once he has given me a thorough checking over, and I’m sure it’s the most he’s looked at me since we were introduced, he appears to relax as he thrusts out the glasses.
‘I thought it wise to be prepared for any eventuality,’ he says, ‘so I got you both.’
I accept the water, as alcohol would not be wise when my thoughts are already foggy. ‘Thank you.’
‘You are welcome. Would you like to dance?’
I very nearly spit out my water. ‘What?’
‘Dance,’ he says, motioning to the floor where endless couples twirl around. ‘Though, I must admit, I am somewhat of a novice.’
‘You have never danced before?’ I ask.
‘Never.’
‘Oh, well that’s worrying. Will I have any feet left?’
‘I will endeavour to refrain from stepping on your toes, Miss Melrose.’
‘Perhaps we should just watch,’ I suggest, feeling my skin start to prickle, and, sadly, it is not through nerves nor reluctance, but from wariness. I peek up discreetly and spy the Duke on the other side of the ballroom looking quite murderous, and I recall the Duke has, on numerous occasions, referred to Frederick with contempt and the odd curse word proceeding his name. Now I am wondering why. How well does the Duke know Frederick?
‘I insist,’ Frederick says, taking my glass and discarding it before motioning to the floor. ‘It is high time.’
‘High time for what?’ I ask, alarmed. What has got into him I cannot be sure, but this is not behaviour I have come to expect from Frederick.
‘Well, for us to dance. It’s the perfect time and the perfect occasion, for the announcement of our engagement shall be published.’
Oh? Has Porter returned from his trip to York, I wonder? Has Frederick’s unbearable father made demands of Frederick?
I see the Duke once again and note his black look has not improved. He looks positively grim, and it’s beginning to irritate me. Whatever has he got to look so annoyed about? With the greatest of reluctance, I step onto the dance floor full of nerves, and quite awkwardly, Frederick takes me in his hold, his chin high, every part of him as stiff as a board. I can say with confidence that my current position is by far the most uncomfortable I have ever been, and when Frederick starts moving us, it is so very jerky.
I catch sight of the Duke again and roll my eyes at the gaggle of determined women hovering unapologetically nearby, just waiting to be invited onto the floor by him, every one of them positively dying to experience the dangerous Duke in some form. I expect he won’t entertain their unashamed hints, but then, with his eyes still burning into me, he holds his hand out without so much as looking towards whom he’s inviting onto the floor. I however, do.
Lady Dare, delighted, curtseys and they are soon twirling around in a very close, intimate hold. They can also dance very well, which is more than can be said for the clumsy mess of bodies I am currently tangled up in. I’m humiliated. Injured. I am many things I suppose I ought not to be, and yet as I watch Johnny in all his expert ways, thrilling another woman, I feel a horrid bout of jealousy grip me. I cannot bear witness to this, and I am certain my feelings must be plastered all over my face, so I vehemently rip my gaze away from the perfection of the Duke’s dancing and concentrate on making it out of this mess with my feet still intact.