Yet she found herself moving closer to the dance floor. She found the excitement inside building. She thought of what had just happened between her and the Duke, she thought of what this meant for her future. She was free now like she had never been before, and she wanted to experience what that was like.
“Sophia?” Lucy called to her as she walked ahead. “What are you doing? Sophia?”
Sophia found herself at the edge of the dance floor. The music was starting to slow down, as were the dozen couples who moved to it. Her foot was tapping, she licked her lips, and her eyes danced freely as she tried to decide what to do…
“Might I have this dance?” a voice spoke from over her shoulder.
She started in surprise and turned around. “What are you doing?” she hissed and glanced about quickly as if worried they might be seen.
The Duke laughed. “I thought I was asking you to dance.”
“Is that…” She swallowed. “Appropriate?”
“Why would it not be? You wish to dance, as do I. What’s the harm? Besides…” The Duke stepped in close, leaned in further,and dropped his voice. “You can do as you wish, now that you arefree.”
The word sent a ripple up her spine and before she knew what she was doing, she was accepting the Duke’s outstretched hand and allowing herself to be led onto the dance floor.
Sophia took immediate notice of everyone watching them. She saw the confusion. She noticed the whispers behind hands. And she paid attention to the shock in the eyes of her friends because this was so unlike her.
It made her heart race, the thrill taking hold.
“Closer…” The Duke stepped into her, one hand going to the small of her back. His touch rippled up her body and she gasped… and then breathed as their bodies pressed together. “Much better.”
She thought to pull away. She thought to turn her head so that she wasn’t looking at him. For a moment, she thought to walk away before this went too far. But then the music started and they were moving together as one.
“This more like it,” the Duke chuckled as he led her across the dance floor. He moved freely, as if he was the wind. “Tell me truly, is this not what life is about?”
“I…” She looked around, suddenly too aware of everyone watching. “Perhaps this was not a good idea.”
“Nonsense,” he said. “This is the best idea you have had all day.” He held her close, his grip strong, his body powerful. “And come tomorrow, it will make more sense. Don’t worry about how it looks.”
She did not want to worry. She did not want to care. But as they danced, and as the Duke held her close, Sophia’s head turned and followed those who watched. Some were confused. Some were amused. And many watched on in states of shock as if they could not believe what they were seeing.
Sophia tried not to dance too close. She tried to look as if she was not enjoying herself. But she was at the Duke’s mercy, and he held her closely as he led her. If anything, he seemed to want people to know about them.
“Tomorrow,” she asked him. “You will come see my parents?”
“First thing in the morning.”
“And what are you going to say?”
“Do not worry about it,” he said. “Miss. Sophia, I think you fail to realize what is happening. You no longer have to care what people think. You know longer have to care about anything other than what you wish. Enjoy yourself…” He threw back his head and laughed as he led her across the dance floor. “You have the rest of your life ahead of you.”
In the moment, it had felt like a good idea.
Taken by the excitement of the Duke’s offer, seeing clearly what he offered and thinking that she wanted it, Sophia had not considered the larger implications. For all her talk of wanting freedom, and wishing that her life was her own, she was not entirely certain now if it was all he said.
Sophia was raised a certain way. She had lived her life by rules. She was the perfect lady, born into the perfect family, and they expected from her perfection. To say she wanted to reject that was one thing, but to actually do it…
A cold ran through her body and the world started to turn around her. Just like that, the seriousness of the situation struck home. Eyes watching. Whispers gathering. Judgement growing. Suddenly, Sophia was nowhere near as certain about her choice as she had been.
And to make things even worse, it is too late now to change my mind…
CHAPTER 8
It was the following morning when Gabriel presented himself outside of Ashbury House, the home of his future wife. In truth, he was a little underwhelmed by what he found.
He knew a little of Viscount Ashbury and his wife, mostly just what he had heard others speak of them. It was said that they were of the highest pedigree, that they were strict and stern but also well thought of and even respected, and most of all, it was told to him that they did not accept foolery.
