What is it like to be me? To be the Duchess of Mowbray? To be on the arm of one of the most handsome gentlemen in all of London?
Would others see Levi that way?
They couldn’t help but see it, she thought. She’d observed her share of men in her life, but Levi was a cut above any of them. His good looks were magnetic. It was impossible for anyone to look at him and not be drawn in.
People are going to wonder what he’s doing with the likes of me.
But was that even true? She had gotten a look at herself in this new gown, and she did look lovelier than she was used to. And the way Levi was looking at her now…well, maybe there was something about her appearance that people would find as magnetic as they did his.
She took his arm and allowed him to lead her out to the carriage, her heart pounding in her chest the whole way.
Buckton Manor was well lit and filled with laughter, and Caroline felt a giddy delight take hold of her the moment they had crossed the threshold.
Therewassomething different about this season. There was something about attending these functions as a duchess that made Caroline feel significant in a way she never had before. She had been content, in the past, to be a wallflower because it was what everyone had expected of her. It was what she had expected of herself.
But maybe that was never who I really was. Maybe I’m really someone whocancommand a room, who can be full of fun and life when I attend parties, the way my sisters were.
“Your Grace!”
Caroline turned to see Lady Alexandra, an acquaintance she had always gotten along passably with. The daughter of a viscount, Lady Alexandra was pretty, vivacious, and, as yet, unmarried. It was a combination of attributes that might have come together to make a young lady insufferable—Caroline had known her share of ladies who had fallen prey to self-absorption—but Lady Alexandra had always been kind and pleasant to be around, and she smiled now as she approached.
“What a thrill it is to see you married!” she exclaimed, embracing Caroline and kissing her on both cheeks. “I’m so excited! I can’t believe you’re a duchess all of a sudden. You know, all last season I believed you and I were the only two who weren’t going to be married, and now you’ve left me to fend entirely for myself!”
Caroline couldn’t help laughing. “It caught me by surprise just as much as anyone,” she said. “But you’re not entirely on your own! There are plenty of young ladies who didn’t find their match last season. I see a lot of familiar faces already, and I just arrived.”
“Well, you’re right,” Lady Alexandra said. “I suppose it onlyfeelsas if I’m the only one—but then, I wasn’t ready to marry last season, so I suppose I’m glad to have another one. I won’t marry until I’ve done as you did and found someone I feel truly fond of.”
She hadn’t mentioned love, but Caroline suspected it was what she meant. “I’m surprised to hear you describe my marriage like that.”
“Is it not the case?”
“I just…I was under the impression that the gossip about me was somewhat different.”
Alexandra laughed. “You and I both know better than to listen to gossip,” she said. “And besides, I could tell when you walked in how much you enjoy your husband’s company. And who could fault you for that? Heisa handsome fellow, isn’t he? I hope, when I marry, that my husband is as handsome as yours. You know, my father is eyeing Lord Collingwood, but I think I’d rather remain a spinster.”
She giggled. Caroline grinned. Alexandra’s good humor was so infectious. “Come on. Lord Collingwood isn’t that bad.”
“He’s ghastly! Look at him! He looks as if he’s been dipped in a vat of oil!”
“Oh, he’s only a little sweaty!” But Caroline could see Alexandra’s point. “At least he’s kind,” she said. “It would be better to have an oily but kind man than to have a very handsome one who was cruel to you.”
“Oh, I suppose you’re right, but I just can’t believe those could be my only choices,” Alexandra said. “There must be a man out there who is both handsomeandkind—well,anothersuch man. You can’t have gotten the last one in London.” She twinkled. “Now, tell me, where is Prudence? She’ll understand my plight far better than amarried ladysuch as yourself ever could. Youdon’t have to worry about these things any longer, but Prudence is still in my boat.”
Caroline felt a twinge of pain. “Prudence won’t be here tonight.”
“What! Why not? She’s not still hiding away at your aunt’s house is she? That’s where I heard she’d gone when she ran off. She was always the life and soul of every party. I do feel that the first ball of the season almostcan’ttake place without her presence. It seems like we all ought to pack up and go home until Prudence can join us,” Alexandra said.
Caroline gritted her teeth. Even now that she was a duchess, even with Prudence not here, her sister outshone her. The main trouble was that it even bothered her, of course. It never would have done so before. She had been content with her lot. It was only now that she was with Levi that she found herself wanting to make any sort of impression at all. And even now, she wasn’t equal to the task. That was maddening.
“Excuse me.” It was Levi. His hand had come to rest on her shoulder, and the touch grounded her and put her at ease. “I’m sorry to interrupt this conversation.”
“That’s all right,” Alexandra said eagerly. “It’s a pleasure to see you as well, Your Grace. I can only imagine how pleased you must be to have such a lovely duchess on your arm this season.”
“Indeed.” Levi smiled. “Will you excuse us, Lady Alexandra? I believe I hear music, and I would very much like to dance with my wife.”
He took Caroline by the hand and led her away. Her heart beat a mile a minute as they entered the ballroom and took up positions on the dance floor. His hands were firm, guiding her through the opening steps until they found an easy rhythm together.
“I didn’t expect you to want to dance,” Caroline confessed. She was slightly breathless. He was just so handsome, and here he was, holding her in his arms. Dancing with her. Letting everyone at the ball know that she was his.
