Austin’s jaw tightened. He leaned close to Deena and whispered so only she could hear, “Forget them, Dee. They are simply jealous.”
“Thank you.” Deena’s gaze was plastered to the floor; her confidence was slowly vanishing, and Austin cussed himself.
Maybe she is not ready.
But his doubt was quickly replaced by admiration as he glanced at her. The emerald green dress hugged her curves and brought out the color of her eyes. Her red curls contrasted perfectly, making her look like fire in a room full of icy stares. Austinwas sure that the ladies envied Deena, and the men lusted for her. And he was not sure why that made him feel considerably jealous.
“You look too ravishing in that dress,” he said huskily.
Deena frowned at him. “You chose it.”
“Yes, I did. And I’m proud of my decision.” Austin grinned down at her, and she responded with a dramatic roll of her eyes, but he saw the smile at the corner of her distracting lips.
“It does not matter. Drunk or sober, married or unmarried, dress or no dress, I have ruined my reputation either way.” Deena’s gaze dropped as she spoke.
“I do like the idea of no dress,” Austin said playfully, causing her to frown again.
“If someone overhears you?—”
“These people are no better, Dee. Half of them have worse secrets. They’re just better at hiding them behind ostrich plumes and false piety.”
Deena’s eyes flicked up to his. “Easy for you to say. You’re used to being the scandal.”
“I’m used to being the one they envy,” he corrected softly. “And tonight, we make sure they remember why.”
She let out a small, unsteady breath of air. “I’m not sure I can help you there.”
“You already are.” He covered her hand with his own. “Just breathe. And let me handle these vipers.”
As he spoke, Austin spotted Lady Ann approaching them from the far end of the hall. She was accompanied by a gentleman whom she did not recognize. Beside him, Deena’s breath caught, and she froze.
“What is wrong, Dee?” He looked down at her concernedly.
“That is… Lord Haverford with Lady Ann,” she whispered.
His fists curled when he turned back to the tall, thin man approaching them with a smirk. Austin noticed the streaks of grey in his curls and wondered about his age. Haverford’s beady eyes locked onto Deena, even as Lady Ann chatted away beside him. Austin drew Deena closer to him. The heat of her body felt right next to his, and the need to protect her intensified.
“What a forgettable man he is,” Austin muttered under his breath.
“And yet a forgettable man made me a memorable woman in Society.” Deena let out a resigned sigh.
Lady Ann and Lord Haverford finally reached them and smiled with the brittle brightness of people who had rehearsed their expressions in the mirror.
“Your Grace,” Lady Ann cooed, dipping a curtsy so shallow it was almost insulting. Her eyes turned sharply to Deena. “How radiant you look, Your Grace. Becoming a duchess agrees with you.”
Austin did not give a damn about Lady Ann’s jibes. He was too fixated on Lord Haverford, whose gaze slid over Deena in a way that made Austin’s blood boil.
“Your wife has made quite the return to Society. One might almost say… courageous.” Haverford addressed Austin mockingly.
Deena’s arm tensed in his.
“Lord Haverford, is it?” His question physically stung the man.
“Y…yes. That is correct.” Haverford stuttered.
Lady Ann pursed her lips beside him; her cheeks betraying her embarrassment.
“I must say, you should be careful around this one.” Haverford nodded towards Deena as he tried to gain some confidence with an insult. “She bites when cornered. But I am sure you can handle her as much as I?—”
