Page 35 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

When she arrived at the ball and handed her coat to the butler, she was rewarded for that choice by the attendees’ murmurs of appreciation.

She walked into the crowd, holding her head up high like the Duke had told her, and while she naturally avoided attracting attention, she was going to revel in the appreciation like the queen she was to attract the suitors she sought.

Even while she confidently navigated the crowd, she became aware that she was looking for a particular person in the sea of faces surrounding her. A face that always sported a grin. In no time, she locked eyes with him from the edge of the ballroom.

She nodded in acknowledgment.

Look at me, her heart whispered.I am going to make you proud.

He nodded back to show his approval without once taking his eyes off her.

She was distracted by Emmy putting her hand on her arm, which was a welcome change from the unladylike running and disheveled hair. It seemed their lessons in etiquette and decorum were finally bearing fruit.

“Cathy!” Emmy greeted excitedly. “You look positively ravishing tonight. Your gown is absolutely wonderful!”

“I am truly flattered,” Catherine replied, smiling. “Thank you for your kind words.”

“I didn’t say that to be kind,” Emmy said in a slightly chastising tone. “I was just stating a fact. I dare say you have the attention of all the eligible bachelors in this room. And I dare say that you would have your dance card full in no time.”

“We will have to see about that,” Catherine replied. Deciding to steer the subject away from her, she asked, “What about you? Any dance partners yet?”

In answer, Emmy raised the wrist to which a dance card was fastened by a ribbon. Apparently, three of her dances had already been claimed.

“It seems our classes have indeed made a difference. I have had more eligible bachelors approach me today than I had since the beginning of the Season, and the night is still young. You truly work wonders, my friend,” she gushed.

“I hardly had to do anything,” Catherine replied humbly. “You are a beautiful, charming, intelligent woman, Emmy, and you certainly did not require my help to attract suitors. All I did was make some changes to your clothes and refine your manners. I didn’t turn you into a desirable debutante—you did all that by yourself. By simply being your unique self.”

Emmy’s eyes filled with tears of appreciation, and Catherine took her hands in her own. It was quite unfortunate that a beautiful lady like Emmy had been deprived of validation, first by her mother, who was supposed to teach her to be a proper lady.

They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. They broke apart to see Lord Livingston standing beside them.

“Miss Burlow,” he asked, “will you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Catherine looked around to see that the musicians were already playing a classic tune, and several couples were stepping onto the dance floor

“It will be my honor, My Lord,” she replied, curtseying to him

She took his hand, and he led her to the dance floor. When they took their positions, he proceeded to twirl them gracefully across the dance floor.

“Forgive me if I haven’t commented on it, but you look absolutely ravishing tonight, Miss Burlow.”

“Thank you for your kind words, My Lord, I am flattered,” she said, a blush blooming in her cheeks.

Lord Livingston nodded in acknowledgment. “I realize it was truly bad form of me to react the way I did this last time we spoke. A gentleman should have the virtue to accept rejection from a lady with grace. It was quite impolite of me to harass you the way I did, and for that, I apologize,” he said, a remorseful expression on his handsome face.

For a while, Catherine was at a loss for words. It was not often that a gentleman admitted his fault to a lady. Instead, most of them would do anything but apologize to protect their fragile egos. This singular act showed that the Viscount was a gentleman through and through, and he would be a gem to have as a husband.

“My Lord, all is forgiven.” She watched him breathe a sigh of relief. “But I have wronged you, too. I must apologize as well.”

At that, he furrowed his brow in confusion. “How so, Miss Burlow? Everyone knows it is a lady’s prerogative to accept or reject a suitor. You hardly committed a crime simply because you rejected me.”

“That is the crux of the problem, My Lord. I never intended to reject your suit. I was just overwhelmed by your confession and reacted strangely. I apologize if I made you believe the opposite. You, My Lord, are an exquisite gentleman, and I would be most honored to have you court me. If you are still interested, of course,” she added, flashing him a charming smile.

Lord Livingston beamed at her. “Excellent, I will call on you tomorrow to seek your father’s permission to court you. I earnestly hope my suit will be accepted,” he said.

Of course, his suit would be warmly accepted by her parents, who had despaired of her ever getting an offer from an eligible bachelor. He would be lucky if her parents did not try to talk him into applying for a special license to have them marry as quickly as possible, just in case he decided to change his mind.

On average, Catherine knew she could do worse in her choice of suitor. Lord Livingston was not only responsible, but he was also honest, well-to-do, and possessed one of the oldest titles in England. The man was perfect from the top of his hair to the soles of his specially crafted hessian boots.

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