Without another word, Vale left the chamber. And Selina collapsed onto the bed she had abandoned with a shuddering sigh. Vale wasn’t wrong. And that wasn’t even the worst of it.
Whatever was happening might not just end her as the Fox. She feared that this unexpected attraction to a man who was so very dangerous might actually end her completely. Because she already felt turned inside out. And she feared Derrick could do far worse the closer he got.
“You just have to find a way to controlhim,” Selina muttered. Only she feared that doing so would expose her. And she’d have to be on the top of her game to avoid just that.
Derrick stood toward the back of the large ballroom, leaning against the wall as he watched the festivities around him. Glittering gowns, perfectly polished boots, overly loud laughter, all of it grated on him. All of it made him patently aware of how far he’d moved away from this world, to the point where he didn’t belong.
But this was where the case took him, so what could he do?
The Duke of Roseford had moved to an elevated platform where the orchestra had been playing, and he held up a hand. Immediately the room went silent, directed by a man who wielded power casually.
“Good evening,” Roseford said with a smile over the room. “This first ball was slightly delayed, but now that all our friends have joined us at last, I am so pleased to welcome you to our home. Now go dance and make a scandal.”
The party laughed for the most part, though a few of the more straight-laced attendees pulled faces at the order. As Roseford came down and the music began to play, those on the ballroom floor peeled back to make room for the dancing, and that was when Derrick saw her.
Selina was moving slowly in the middle of the room, no longer surrounded by the milling crowd. And she was…exquisite. Her gown was a robin’s egg blue, designed to match those outrageous eyes to perfection. It was edged in gold, including a swath of sash that lifted her breasts right to the edge of the low neckline of the gown. She turned as if she sensed him and her gaze caught his across the room.
Bloody hell, but he wanted her.
Then the couples began to swarm the floor and she was hidden in their wake. He blinked as he realized Roseford had somehow approached while Derrick was distracted.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” Derrick managed to choke out.
“Bit of a dry throat, eh?” Roseford said with a smile. “I can solve that problem.” He waved for a footman, who came over with a tray of drinks. Roseford plucked two of them and handed one over.
Derrick slugged back half of it before he realized Roseford was staring at him with wide eyes. “Forgive me. The heat of the crowd, you know,” he lied.
Roseford’s eyebrows remained high, but he didn’t question the lie. “I thought perhaps you’d like an introduction to Lord and Lady Winford, if you aren’t already acquainted.”
Derrick blinked. Yes, the Winfords. The duty he kept forgetting whenever Selina Oliver sashayed near him. The duty he had to remember now or risk losing the opportunity this man was giving him.
“Yes, thank you. That would be helpful.”
Roseford motioned him to follow and weaved through the crowd. Derrick was a step behind him and noted how everyone he passed greeted Roseford. He was obviously well liked by all who knew him.
At last they reached the Winfords, who were standing to the side of the dancefloor. Derrick focused on them as they approached, taking in whatever facts he could glean before they noticed him and began to hide things. Lady Winford was very pretty, no one could deny that. Her gown was too tight around the bust, causing her breasts to nearly pop out like overstuffed sausages from the top. An effect he assumed she was trying to create.
But not for her husband, it seemed. Though they stood together, they were each turned slightly away from the other, not talking. Not interacting at all. There was no warmth there. No interest. Perhaps they’d had a row. Perhaps this was their usual state.
Derrick would have to find out. One never knew which information would be important in the future.
“Ah, Lord and Lady Winford,” Roseford said as they reached their guests.
Both the earl and the countess perked up at his arrival. And why not? Roseford was important. To be invited to one of his soirees was an honor to many.
“Your Grace,” Lady Winford purred, leaning forward to give a better look at those breasts she had on display. “What a pleasure to see you again.”
Roseford didn’t even take a downward glance at the lady’s offering. “I’m glad you were able to recover from what sounded like a truly terrible travel experience and join us,” he said. There was a little tension to his voice, a twitch to his cheek. He didn’t like the pair, though he hid it well.
“We wouldn’t miss it, Roseford,” Lord Winford said with a sniff toward his wife.
“Have you met our good friend, Mr. Huntington?” Roseford said, motioning to Derrick with what appeared to be a genuine smile. “He served with my brother in the war.”
Lord Winford’s gaze flitted to him, over him, and immediately Derrick saw the dismissal. He’d be passably polite, of course, but he didn’t see the value in a mere soldier.
Lady Winford, on the other hand, let her gaze linger as she swept it over him. There was interest there, but not of a friendly kind. Derrick shifted.
“Ah, I see my wife motioning me,” Roseford said with an apologetic nod. “The life of a host is never slow. I hope to speak to you soon. Good evening.”
