“She’s threatened all the other debutantes. She told all the girls that if she sees them dancing with any of the mosteligible bachelors, she will spread rumors about them and ruin their reputations.”
Meredith frowned, letting her hand fall back to her side. “You can’t be serious.”
“I wish I wasn’t. Hideous girl. Who does she think she is?” Gemma plunked her gloved fists on her narrow hips.
Meredith glanced over to the large group of debutantes huddled against the wall. “Is that why all the young ladies are flocked together this evening?”
“Yes.” Gemma nodded. “I intend to do something about it.”
Warning bells sounded in Meredith’s head. “Gemma, be careful,” she advised. “These sorts of things can become messy. Scandal has a way of finding even the most unlikely victim.” Meredith was thinking of her own dear friend, Clare Handleton. Clare knew all too well how quickly a scandal could ruin a debutante.
“I’ll be careful,” Gemma agreed, “but I refuse to let Lady Mary intimidate me. I intend to rally the troops to dance withallthe eligible gentlemen!” Gemma declared before lifting her skirts and hurrying off in the direction of the wallflowers.
Meredith watched her go, biting her lip. Gemma always meant well, but she had the same stubbornness Griffin did when she made up her mind about something. And unlike Griffin, Gemma was exceedingly impatient.
Meredith should discuss the situation with Gemma’s mother. She turned to search the ballroom for the older woman, but she found Griffin standing in front of her. A smile popped to her lips. “There you are, Griff.”
Griffin was dressed in his best. All black evening attire with a white shirtfront and waistcoat and a perfectly starched snowy cravat. His dark eyes were shining with mischief, and it looked as if he’d just recently scrubbed ahand through his thick, dark hair. He was so tall and fit and handsome. It was entirely unfair of him to be so good-lookingandan eligible duke. He would make some fortunate lady an excellent husband.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Griffin said. “I was speaking to some friends across the room. I just saw Gemma leave. Is she enjoying herself?”
Meredith sighed. “I’m afraid she’s taking it upon herself to champion the wallflowers.”
Griffin shook his head. “That sounds like Gemma.”
“Yes, well, I intend to speak with your mother about it later, but since you’re here…” She gave Griffin a sly smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” His deep voice was filled with suspicion.
“Like what?” She shrugged innocently.
Griffin narrowed his eyes on her. “Like I’m the first prize at the county fair.”
Meredith threw back her head and laughed. “You just might be. You are, after all, an eligible duke, one who is looking for a wife this Season. And you are in the middle of atonball.”
He winced. “Which means?”
“Which means…” Meredith clapped her hands together. “Let the duchess hunt begin.”
CHAPTER THREE
“The duchess hunt, eh? Isthatwhat we’re calling it?” Griffin scratched the back of his neck as he eyed Meredith up and down.
Meredith looked gorgeous tonight, as usual. He’d barely been able to take his eyes off of her since he’d spotted her across the ballroom earlier. If he hadn’t been waylaid by friends, he would have made his way to her side before now.
“Why not?” Meredith replied, a sparkle in her eye. One he remembered well from their childhood. “Don’t we love to make everything into a competition?”
Griffin tugged at his cuff and allowed a half-smile to curl his lips. “It’s a competition now, is it?”
Meredith shrugged one shoulder in that adorable way of hers. “I don’t see why it shouldn’t be. I’ll choose some ladies for you, and you choose some for yourself, and we’ll see who does the better job of it.”
Griffin’s smile widened. He couldn’t help it. It was just like Meredith to assume she could find a better wife for him than he could. Of course, why she’d never thought of herself was cause for concern. He intended to change that, however.To get her to notice him…as a man. A man who wanted her. A man who would do anything for her.Patience.
“What about Gemma?” he asked in a blatant attempt to change the subject. “I thought you were intent on helpingherfind a husband?”
Meredith knocked her shoulder against his and gave him a sardonic smile. “One of the amazing things about me is that I can do more than one thing at a time.”
Griffin tried not to react as he breathed in her bergamot-scented perfume. It did something to him…every time. Made the muscles in his abdomen tighten. He’d missed it all those years on the Continent. Missed it butneverforgot it.
