Page 7 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

Pierce gave her a polite nod, already anticipating where the conversation would lead.

"One blue and one green," she continued, leaning closer, "it is almost unfair that you should possess such an advantage over the rest of us." She laughed softly before adding, "After almost two years of mourning, surely it is time to find another duchess. Your estate cannot remain without an heir forever."

"My estate will manage," Pierce replied evenly.

Lady Samson's smile faltered. "But surely you do not intend to remain alone."

"I do."

She blinked at him, apparently unused to being dismissed so directly. Pierce felt no guilt.

I had fulfilled my duty once before and have no intention of marrying again.

He had entered one marriage because circumstances required it, and the result had left him with questions that still haunted him. He would not willingly place himself in such a position a second time, nor would he permit society to decide that his loneliness was a problem requiring correction.

Across the ballroom, Pierce caught Nathaniel's eye and gave him a look that required no explanation. Nathaniel immediately understood, crossing the room with the ease of a man who had spent years rescuing his friend from unwanted conversations.

"Lady Samson," he said with a charming bow, "you appear to be without a partner, and I should be honored to remedy that unfortunate circumstance."

She brightened at once and accepted his offered hand, allowing Nathaniel to lead her towards the dance floor.

Pierce watched them for a moment before retreating towards the gentlemen's smoking room in search of something considerably stronger than port.

He opened the door and stopped. The room was in complete chaos.

A mysterious woman dressed as the goddess Flora stood near the center, surrounded by gentlemen who appeared to have forgotten every rule of respectable behavior.

What in the name is this?

Her costume was elaborate, her face concealed behind a delicate mask, and every man in the room was staring at her. Her costume hugged her curvy figure in all the right places, with her low neckline revealing more than she should.

"I am looking for a gentleman willing to accompany me back into the ballroom," she announced boldly, though Pierce noticed the nervous movement of her hands. "Remove my mask before everyone, and kiss me publicly. The more scandalous the kiss, the better."

A chorus of amused murmurs swept through the room. Someone laughed, while another gentleman muttered that if she were willing to kiss a stranger before an entire ballroom, he could only imagine what she might be willing to do in private. The woman stiffened.

"Nothing more," she declared loudly. "I want nothing more. I have personal reasons for demonstrating that I have been compromised, but there will be no private arrangement."

The teasing only became bolder.

Pierce saw her shift backwards as several gentlemen began to circle her.

"Enough," he said.

The room fell silent.

"Every one of you, out."

Several men protested, but Pierce's expression ended the discussion. One by one, they filed past him, their amusement replaced by irritation and curiosity. The mysterious woman watched them leave with an expression of growing horror, and when the door finally closed, she turned upon Pierce.

"You have ruined everything!" she exclaimed furiously. "That was my only chance!"

"I have just saved you from making the greatest mistake of your life," Pierce replied.

"You have no right!"

"And you have no idea what those men would have done had I not entered."

Their argument grew increasingly heated until Pierce finally reached forward and removed her mask.