He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “I suppose you will believe what you want, but it’s the truth.” Well, perhaps notallof the truth.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were courting Miss Middleton when we chatted at the ball?”
“Because I have only just started to court her.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Truly, Vincent. Tell me what is really going on. Courting a duke’s daughter is not something you would do.”
He chuckled before taking another taste of his drink. “Lady Livingston, it’s really nothing to worry about.”
“Are you in love with her?”
He kept himself from laughing out loud. Candace didn’t need to know everything in his life. “So, my lady, since we didn’t get a chance to talk after the ball,” he said, quickly changing the subject, “why don’t you tell me now what yourproposalis? I’ll admit, I’m intrigued to know what is going through your head.”
Her eyes narrowed on him suspiciously. “I’d rather talk in private.”
“But, my lady, we might never get that chance again.”
Her expression fell. “Why? Are you going to marry Miss Middleton?”
Vincent couldn’t lie about this. Candace would find out eventually. In less than a week, to be exact.
“Indeed. I’m going to marry her.”
Anger burned in her gaze as her face tightened. “But Vincent,” she said very quietly, “I was going to ask you to marryme.”
Chapter Seven
Ellie’s heart racedas she studied Lord Calvin Drake’s handsome face. The resemblance between him and his cousin, Adam Haddington, was remarkable. There were moments during their introduction when she thought she was peering into the eyes of her dead fiancé. Both men had the same dark blond hair. Both men had the same color eyes. But Lord Calvin held himself a little taller, and certainly smiled more. He also sported facial hair, which wasn’t very popular with gentlemen. However, it looked amazing on Lord Calvin. Meeting him had brought back so many memories of Adam, and it took all of her willpower not to cry.
“I’m very glad I have finally met my cousin’s fiancée. I had heard so much about you,” Lord Calvin said.
She nodded as a lump of emotion swelled in her throat. “And I’m happy to finally meet you, as well.”
He had the most remarkable green eyes. She dared not stare into them for too long for fear her mind would accept this man as her fiancé who’d returned from the dead to take over his cousin’s body. Silently, she laughed at the strange thought. She really needed to stop living in her dreams and enter the real world.
“Is it permissible to call upon you tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.
Her heart leaped and the wordsyes pleasewere ready to spring from out of her mouth, but she quickly quashed them. She couldn’t possibly have him call upon her for two reasons. The first one was probably most important—that she needed to forget about Adam Haddington. She couldn’t waste her life on a man who was dead. And the second reason, of course, being that she was soon to marry Vincent.
She looked at her father. He gave her that all-too-familiar arched eyebrow. The duke was probably expecting her to jump at the chance to be with one of Adam’s relatives, and he wouldnotapprove.
Sighing, she looked into Lord Calvin’s dreamy eyes again. “I fear, my lord, that I must decline. My father will be signing my betrothal papers any day now.”
The handsome man’s countenance drooped. Even the light in his eyes disappeared. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m sure your future husband will be one lucky man.”
She wanted to laugh again. She doubted Vincent was thinking that now.
Lord Calvin bowed to her father, and then to her, before turning and leaving. She wanted so much to stop him. The urge to ask him about Adam’s life was strong, but she mustn’t give in. Adam was in her past, and Vincent was her future.
And speaking of the little devil…
She skimmed the crowd, searching for her almost-fiancé. Immediately, she recognized the charming seducer who stood way too close to Lady Livingston, and whose smile was much too wide. Ellie’s heart twisted as irritation rose within her. He’d broken his promise already? Although he had worded it that he wouldn’t do anything toembarrasseither one of them. He didn’t actually say he would never speak to Lady Livingston ever again.
Taking in deep breaths, Ellie prepared what she was going to say to him, but just then, Lady Berkley announced that they could go into the dining room for the meal. Ellie headed toward Vincent and his former mistress, eager to break up their quaint discussion. However, before she reached his side, the other woman turned and sashayed away.
Ellie slowed her steps and tried to conceal the anger rumbling inside of her. Vincent turned just as she reached him. His eyes widened, and a flash of guilt etched across his face. But within seconds, he smiled and took Ellie’s hand, hooking it over his elbow as if nothing had happened.
“Did you have a nice visit with your new friend?” he asked, leading her toward the dining room. “I’m surprised he would dare wear facial hair. It isn’t the fashion, you know.”
