Aunt Maude and Lady Mandeville were visiting with a group of women on the edge of the room, and the duke was nowhere to be seen. After our first dance, he had disappeared, and I’d only glimpsed him here and there as the night progressed.
He had danced with no one else.
I glanced around the ballroom to locate Sir Huntington, my next dance partner, when I saw Alec enter.
He had come, and he looked handsome in his formal evening wear.
Butterflies filled my stomach at the sight of him, and I wanted to rush across the room to throw myself into his arms. But I stayed on the dance floor, watching as he searched the room for me.
When he finally saw me, his brown eyes lit up with so many emotions. But overriding them all was pure joy. He looked sohappy to see me, it brought tears to my eyes. And the way he openly admired me in my gown sent heat into my cheeks.
“Miss Hill?” Sir Huntington asked as he approached and bowed. “I believe I have this next dance.”
I hardly looked at him as I said, “I beg your forgiveness, but I am going to sit this dance out.”
Good manners dictated that he bow out gracefully, which he did.
I left him and crossed the ballroom, where Alec was still standing, a smile on his face.
“You came,” I said, blinking back my tears.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier.” His smile fell and worry suddenly replaced his joy. “Am I too late? Did the duke announce your engagement yet?”
I shook my head. “No, he hasn’t.”
“May I speak to you? Alone?”
Curiosity made me frown, but I nodded. “Yes, of course.” Doors let out to a garden behind the house, and I could see that there were torches lighting a path. “Will the garden do?”
“Anywhere would do,” he said, his gaze never leaving my face.
The music started for the next dance, so Alec and I moved around the edge of the room toward the doors. People might see us leaving, but they thought of Alec as my cousin and would think nothing of us being alone together.
Aunt Maude and Lady Mandeville were on the other side of the room, and hopefully they wouldn’t see us through the crush of people.
Alec opened the door, and I stepped through, then he closed the door behind us.
The coolness and fresh air were a godsend. Thankfully, the small garden was unoccupied as Alec took my hand and led me away from the door. He walked me to a corner, where a benchawaited, but neither of us sat. The light from a nearby torch didn’t quite reach the space, offering us some privacy.
“What is it?” I asked him, breathless.
He turned to me, the happiness returning to his eyes. “I love you, Keira.”
I frowned and smiled in quick succession.
“And I don’t want you to marry the duke,” he continued.
“I don’t want to marry him, either,” I whispered, my heart beating so hard, I was certain he could hear it. “But—”
“Shh.” He put his finger over my lips, his gaze following the motion of his hands. “I want you to marry me, Keira O’Day.”
My lips parted under his finger, surprise and confusion warring in my mind. “I don’t understand.”
He lowered his hand. “The Prince of Wales came to the house this evening and told me I must marry you.”
Again, I frowned and then smiled. “What? Why did he do that?”
“He told me that you were in love with me and that it was a royal order to propose to you.” He drew me into his arms. “But I told him, not only am I an American and he cannot dictate what I do—but there was no need to force me, because if you would have me, I would marry you tonight.”
