“Do you enjoy intimidating women, your grace?”
One side of his lips dipped up into a smile, revealing that hint of a dimple once more.
“I cannot say that I go out of my way to do so, but if it happens, then so be it.”
“I suppose some women find that attractive.”
“You are a rather forthright young woman, Lady Evelyn,” he said, and while his words might have sounded judgmental, his tone was rather… admiring.
“I will take that as a compliment,” she said primly.
He shook his head, but there was still that glint in his eye that told her he was enjoying their exchange — as was she, surprisingly so.
“Is everyone still watching?” she asked after a moment in a hushed voice, for she couldn’t see very well over his shoulder as he stood a full head above her.
“There are quite a few curious stares, yes,” he said. “Does that still trouble you?”
“My father is already rather ostracized from others of his station due to his interests,” she said. “He finds solace in his societies, but if he is to be turned away from those…” Her voice trailed off before she shook herself. “I am here to show everyone that I have nothing to hide, and that is what I will continue to do.”
“That is a very optimistic outlook, Lady Evelyn.”
As the dance came to a close, he bowed over her hand, and she curtsied in turn.
The moment he thanked her, she stayed for as long as was politely necessary.
But as soon as she was free, she fled.
Thankfully, there wasn’t much of a line for the ladies’ retiring room, for Evelyn needed a moment to compose herself.
Her hands were practically shaking as she washed them in the basin, staring at herself in the mirror.
Why had the Duke of Ravenscar occupied so many of her thoughts as of late? She had told herself he meant nothing to her, and yet the moment she had seen him, she had practically been transfixed. Even her pulse picked up its pace when he came into her vision, and when he touched her, why, it was racing so hard she was fearful for her health.
She had never before had such feelings for a man, and yet, she had also never spent so much time in close proximity with one so… handsome. Virile. Charming, in his own way.
She shook her hands out, trying to calm her nerves and grasp hold of herself.
He was just a man, despite his title.
If there was one thing her father had taught her that led to her holding a different outlook than many others of her station, it was that each person had their own identity, one to shape as they wished.
She finally stepped out of the ladies’ room, into the corridor, turning the corner to return to the ballroom in hopes that she could soon leave, when she nearly ran into the very man she was trying to get out of her head.
“Your grace,” she said, surprised to find him here.
“Lady Evelyn,” he said in that rich voice that vibrated deep within her own chest. “I was hoping we could take a moment to converse, as it is unlikely that we will have another opportunity.”
“I’d be happy to,” she allowed.
“Not here, for there are prying ears,” he said.
“We best not enter one of these private rooms, for I have a feeling Lady Norwood uses them as traps for her own entertainment.”
“Why, I thought the very same,” he said, and they shared a small smile of humor. “Perhaps a walk through the garden paths? We should be able to hide, and it is unseasonably warm this evening.”
“Very well,” she agreed, following him out through the French doors onto the garden path beyond. Evelyn took a breath as that racing pulse returned.
He was just a man, she reminded herself, but that turned into another thought. He was a man, she was a woman, and neither one of them was spoken for.
