Page 70 of Brigand

“All men are when it comes to evenings such as this.”

Although Edward had stood by Kaitlin’s side, proudlypresenting her as his new duchess to all the harpies. Harpies who had come togawk at the woman who had finally tamed the Dark Duke. And to appraise herwaistline. They’d been sorely disappointed. Kaitlin was still extraordinarilytrim. But to those who knew her well, the new glow was unmistakable.

A man—one who was not a coward in the slightest—spotted herand scurried in her direction. Violet tamped down the urge to run.

“Ah, Miss Wyeth. There you are.”

Her eyes crossed as Dittenham bent over her hand and hisfragrance wafted to her nostrils.

“May I beg another dance of you? Oh, do say yes.” He glancedat Kaitlin. “With your permission, Your Grace.”

Kaitlin—the traitor—dipped her head. “Naturally, LordDittenham. I am certain Miss Wyeth would be delighted to dance with you.” Therewas truly no call for her to say those words accompanied by such an evil smirk.

She began to wonder if Kaitlin was, indeed, a friend at all.

Chapter Eighteen

Ewan knew he should probably be out in the ballroom but hecouldn’t dance with Violet—not without making himself look like an utterfool—and clearly he couldn’t take her for another walk in the garden. On top ofthat, he would rather put out his own eye than watch her dancing and laughingwith other men. So he stayed in the study, engaged in a conversation withWilliam and Granger, and thoroughly enjoyed himself instead.

Granger was a sensible man with solid ideas, and a sharp witto boot. More than once his keen observations and clever repartee had him and Williamhowling with laughter. That he had little patience for the pomposity of theirfellows didn’t hurt.

When one man pranced into view—a dandy namedDittenham—Robert, or Robin as he bade Ewan call him, likened him to afluttering bird.

In all due respect, it was probably bad form to snicker.

Ewan didn’t care.

By the time they emerged from the sanctity of the study, itwas late—or early, as it so happened—and the evening was drawing to a close.Sophia, he discovered, had already gone to bed and many of the guests had left.

Violet, he noticed with a sharp lurch to his heart, wasstill there.

It was only polite to pay his respects to his host before hetook his leave. And as Violet happened to be standing next to the duke and hisduchess, naturally he headed their way. Perhaps there would be a chance tospeak with her again after all.

But no. As he approached, Ned changed directions and homedin on them, not faltering in his step until he stood by her side. He droppedhis arm around her shoulders and shot Ewan a nasty smile. “Lovely evening,wasn’t it?” he said.

“Charming.” Ewan nodded. He turned to Edward and Kaitlin.“Thank you for everything.”

The duchess laughed. “It was all Aunt Hortense. I assureyou.”

“Ah. Thank her for me as well.”

“I shall.”

His gaze flicked to Violet. As though it had a choice. “MissWyeth.”

She put her hand in his and he pressed a kiss on her glove,holding her as long as he thought he should. Still, when he released her, Nedwas glaring.

“May I call on you tomorrow?”

She blushed prettily. “I should like that.”

He nodded and stared at her. She stared back.

Ned cleared his throat.

“Until tomorrow, then.”

“Until tomorrow.”