Penelope snorted. “No, Charlotte. Usually, he looks terrifying.”
Irene nodded thoughtfully. “Today he looks as though he wants to devour you.”
Harriet fanned herself dramatically. “How romantic,” she sighed.
Charlotte wanted the earth to swallow her whole.
Before she could recover, a gentleman approached their table and bowed politely.
“Duchess,” he greeted Charlotte warmly. “Might I request the honour of the next dance?”
Joan immediately straightened in outrage. “That was very poor timing,” she informed the poor man bluntly. “Our sister is busy being stared at by her husband.”
“Joan,” Charlotte hissed.
The gentleman looked deeply alarmed.
Harriet waved a dismissive hand. “Pay her no mind,” she said brightly. “My daughters were unfortunately raised without restraint.”
The gentleman chuckled nervously and turned back toward Charlotte. “Well?” he asked hopefully.
Charlotte opened her mouth to answer politely, but before she could speak, a familiar deep voice interrupted behind her.
“I fear my wife’s dance card is already occupied.” Every woman at the table turned at once as Victor appeared beside Charlotte’s chair. His hand settled possessively against the back of her seat while his green eyes remained fixed on the unfortunate gentleman. “Perhaps another lady might oblige you instead.”
The gentleman wisely retreated almost immediately.
Joan watched him flee before looking up at Victor innocently. “Your Grace,” she said sweetly, “you frightened him away.”
Victor looked entirely unapologetic. “Did I?” he asked mildly.
Penelope hid a laugh behind her hand while Irene examined Victor with far too much amusement.
“You are hovering,” Charlotte murmured under her breath.
Victor leaned down slightly. “Am I?” he asked near her ear. “I thought husbands were permitted to stand near their wives.” The warmth of his voice against her skin sent another rush of heat through her entire body. Blast the man for discovering precisely how to affect her.
Joan rose suddenly from her seat. “Come along,” she announced to her sisters with exaggerated innocence. “I believe we ought to give the married couple privacy.” Penelope stood immediately. “An excellent idea,” she agreed. Irene nearly laughed aloud as Harriet allowed herself to be ushered away as well.
“Mother,” Charlotte protested weakly.
Harriet merely winked at her. “Do not stay out in the gardens too long, darling,” she advised loudly. “People may talk.” Victor’s shoulders shook suspiciously with restrained laughter while Charlotte stared after her family in horror. “I cannot believe they abandoned me,” she muttered.
“They like me,” Victor said smugly.
Charlotte looked up at him sharply. “You are entirely too pleased with yourself.”
His grin deepened at once. “Can you blame me?” he asked. “Your mother practically shoved you toward me just now.”
Charlotte rose from her chair before he could say anything even more outrageous. “I believe your ego is already unbearable enough without encouragement from my family.”
Victor offered her his arm anyway. “Walk with me, Duchess.”
The simple title still made her heart skip unexpectedly. She slipped her hand through his arm and allowed him to guide her down one of the quieter garden paths lined with blooming roses. Sunlight filtered through the trees overhead while distant laughter echoed from the lawn behind them. For a few moments, neither of them spoke, though Charlotte remained intensely aware of the warmth of his arm beneath her fingers.
“You were smiling earlier,” Victor said eventually.
Charlotte glanced up at him. “Was I?”
