The light from the gas chandelier and the candles gently kissed the chiseled contours of his face. He was a fine man; just not fine for her. Not anymore.
“Not even then,” she replied.
“Whyever not?” Penelope asked. “Oh, he is so devilishly handsome tonight, like a fairytale prince. I can only wish he’d ask me to dance—” The wistful sigh left her mouth before she clamped her teeth tight. “I am so sorry, Alice. I feel like a—a deplorable person, for talking of him like this soon after you ended your courtship.”
“You won’t hurt me,” Alice assured her, her eyes flickering above Penelope’s shoulder. “I have made peace with our parting and you, you might not need to make that wish after all.”
Her sister’s thin brows notched into one. “Why?”
“Miss Alice,” Benedict’s smooth voice drawled from behind them. “How do you do?”
“Quite well, thank you,” she rose to curtsey. “Thank you for having us again. Your home is sublime.”
“Wound to my pride as it is, I cannot take any credit on that front. That is entirely on the shoulders of my brother,” Benedict rounded the chairs. “I happen to be an agent of chaos around here.”
Laughing softly, she said, “I find that hard to believe.”
“It is true,” he smiled, his warm gaze settling on Penelope. “The next time you have a moment, ask Edward why we had to replace all the glass chandeliers with copper candle holders. Alas, I must confess, I am not here to regale you with stories of my youth. Miss Penelope, may I ask you to do me the honor of partnering with me for this next dance?”
Before she could answer, Penelope looked to Alice as if seeking permission. Dutifully, she waved her younger sister on, and while the pair of them swept off to the floor, she cast around for Edward. It had been half an hour and she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him.
The twenty-piece orchestra soon started the waltz, and many ladies and gentlemen joined the pair; the moment Benedict swept Penelope in his arms, Alice could feel the weighted speculation of everyone in the ballroom buzzing across her skin like barbed insects.
With the room soon thoroughly distracted by the new couple, Alice used their eyes away from her to slip into the balcony she’d been eyeing since the moment she had stepped into the hall; escaping through the French-style doors that led to an unconventional circular balcony that rose over a daffodil garden.
It was quieter outside, and she took a moment to take a deep breath. The ball was rather overwhelming for someone who was not used to such events. So many titled individuals, so much laughter and music, so many expectations and rules.
She saw the silhouette of the elusive Duke immediately, standing out of sight in a corner, gazing out into the darkness. True night had fallen now; the only light came from the moon and that which spilled out from the manor house.
She could not imagine how many candles had been used to create the heavenly soft glow that filled the ballroom—but how was it that he looked better in shadow?
“I am sorry to intrude,” she choked out. “I—I’ll leave.”
“Nonsense,” Edward said without so much as facing her; his tone level but… hollow. “The balcony is large enough to accommodate the both of us.”
The night air was cool and carried the budding scents of spring and she breathed deeply while resting a gloved hand on the stone railing. The roar of a ball in full swing seeped through the glass panes of the double doors behind her, even though she’d kept them half-closed for privacy.
“Have you been out here all this time?”
“Yes,” he replied. He slid a finger under his collar. “I felt stifled inside. Strangely enough, I do not feel better out here either.”
“Is it the ambiance or is it something else?” she asked quietly.
“I haven’t slept for days.”
She kept her gaze on the dark flowers but spoke to him, “Why?”
“I shan’t answer that,” he replied.
“Then, will you at least tell me what interaction you had with my treacherous cousin Eliza?” Alice pivoted to him. “When was this and why was it?”
“Leave it alone, Alice,” he said firmly.
“And the fires of hell will turn to ice,” she said as firmly as he did. “I will not leave here until you tell me. I was going to find you and ask you anyhow.”
In three large strides, he immediately closed the distance between them. He snatched her wrist and forcibly pulled her into him, causing her to crane her head up and meet his steely eyes. Instantly, her heart took another rhythm. The authority in his pale gaze was oddly… calming, as it dropped to her lips.
Does he dare kiss me… here?
