April slowed her steps, casting a quick glance over her shoulder. She drew her sisters into a quieter alcove away from prying ears. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her gloves felt too tight on her hands.
“There is something you should know,” she said, gathering every scrap of calm she could muster. “He has offered for me.”
Both sisters gasped. “You failed to mention this minor detail!” June exclaimed, clutching at April’s sleeve. “How?”
“August arranged it.”
“And he said nothing?” May asked, her cheeks flushed with shock.
April lifted her chin, trying to look composed. “I have only just begun to believe it myself,” she said. “Besides, I am not certain it is something to celebrate.”
“Because of his reputation?” June asked, her mouth pulling into a grim line.
April nodded. Before they could interrogate her further, May gasped, and April’s pulse kicked up a frantic rhythm.
“He’s here,” June whispered, peeking around April.
April straightened her shoulders, stepped out of the alcove, and found herself immediately confronted by the Duke.
He stood before her, tall and immovable, his hand already extended. “Your dance card if you please,” he said.
April blinked, outrage flaring to life.No greeting? No polite inquiry after my evening? Only a demand?Her training held her tongue though she wanted dearly to rebuke him.
Instead, she forced a pleasant smile and gestured to her sisters. “Your Grace, may I present Lady May and Lady June.”
May and June curtsied gracefully.
The Duke nodded at them, the acknowledgment brief, before returning his gaze to April. His hand remained outstretched.
April felt heat rise to her cheeks. She could not very well refuse him without causing a scene. Gritting her teeth behind her smile, she placed her dance card in his waiting hand. He glanced behind before returning his eyes to quickly examine the dance card. “A waltz has just begun thus I have no use for this. We shall dance now.” He handed it back to her, offering no apology for his abruptness.
“There are several gentlemen who have already secured dances with me,” April said sweetly, lifting her chin.
“Your betrothed takes precedence.”
Drat him!He was right.
With no dignified escape, she rested her hand lightly on his arm. His strength radiated through his coat.He’s not merely solid. He’s immovable. Like some ancient monument planted precisely where it pleases.
He led her onto the dance floor, and she felt every eye following their progress. As they turned to face one another, he set his hand at her waist, the weight of it both reassuring and unnervingly intimate.
April reminded herself to breathe. She dared not glance up, but curiosity betrayed her. She peeked. His face was carved into stillness, and his eyes were upon her like cloak.
Stay composed, April. For heaven’s sake, breathe.
The orchestra struck up the next measure, and they began to dance, his steps utterly controlled.
“Have you reconsidered my proposal?” he asked, his hand adjusting subtly at her waist to guide her through the turn.
April swallowed against the dryness in her throat. “I have.”
He gave the smallest tilt of his head, his attention never shifting from her.
“I will agree to accompany you on five outings,” she said, forcing her voice to sound bright. “But I shall choose the locations and the events.”
He inclined his head once more. April, desperate to fill the charged silence between them, plunged ahead. “I must understand you better before making any more decisions.”
“Ask what you will.”
