Page 8 of The Duke's Ultimatum

“The honor is all mine.” Eleanor had to admit his smile was nice, but she got the feeling he was like every other gentleman that came before him. Well-bred, sure. Interesting, not so much.

Charlotte beamed at both of them. “Well, if you excuse me, it’s almost time to introduce the Duke, so I must go track him down. Please, continue to get to know each other.” Charlotte dipped her head.

She stopped at Eleanor’s shoulder to whisper, “I have a good feeling about this one.”

Eleanor did her best to school her features. Her mother and she rarely agreed on what constituted a good match for Eleanor.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Lord Hountshire?”

His eyes sparkled at her use of his title, and her stomach dropped. He must be new to his title and loving every bit of it.Wonderful.

“I am however there is one thing that would make it more enjoyable.” His brown eyes noticed the sapphires hanging around her neck. Eleanor bristled. The sapphires were a status symbol. She was not.

“And what can we do to ensure you have a more enjoyable night?”

The Viscount’s eyes lit up. “A dance with you.”

Eleanor brought a hand up to her chest in mock surprise. Sometimes she really hated playing the game. “Oh, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a girl,” she said with a laugh. She pretended to look over his shoulder. “Unfortunately, I see my mother signaling for me. A hostess’ job is never done. Please do excuse me.”

She dipped her head and excused herself.

She saw her sisters standing by the refreshment table and made her way over to them. The feeling she had of being watched skirted over her body, and she fumbled with her steps. She turned and found dark blue eyes looking at her.

The Duke was standing amongst a few people she didn’t recognize and a few she did. Most likely spreading his cheery disposition to more people.

She rolled her eyes and turned back, continuing to the refreshment table.

“How is your first ball going ladies?”

Sarah squealed when she saw her sister. “Is it always this magical?”

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Magical? Oh, my dear sister, this is far from magical.”

“Is it always this hot?” Beatrice pulled at the collar of her dress.

Eleanor smiled. “Unfortunately, yes. No one has been able figure out how to keep these events cool.”

“Mama was looking for you. She wanted you to meet someone,” Sarah said while she watched a young man walk past her.

Beatrice elbowed her. “Stop gawking at the boys, Sarah. People will start to talk.”

Eleanor smiled and ignored her sister’s blatant staring. “Yes, I know. I met him.”

Sarah turned to her sister. “You did! How did it go?”

Eleanor wished she retained an ounce of excitement she had when she first debuted. She lifted a shoulder. “To be expected. He asked me to dance, and I excused myself under the pretense to find Mama.”

Sarah looked at her sister quizzically. “Why on earth would you do that?”

Eleanor watched the couples dancing. “Because when you get to your third season, you learn to pick out the men who want todance with you because they value your time and the men who just want to use you for their own status. I’m running out of patience for the latter.”

Sarah tsked. “That’s assuming I won’t be taken by the end of my first season,” she quipped.

Both women giggled.

“True,” Eleanor conceded.

“Caroline told me that Lady Marsh tried to push her son onto her.” Sarah chuckled.

---