Page 49 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

The ball was already in full swing when they entered. The hall was packed full, and it was obvious that thecrème de la crèmewere present.

Edwin braved the crowd, his arm wrapped securely around his wife. At first, he did not notice the eyes that followed them. However, when a lady walked right into another because she was staring at them, he could no longer ignore it.

“Am I the only one imagining it, or are people staring at us?” Ava muttered.

Edwin opened his mouth to respond when someone grabbed his free arm. He jerked his arm out of the man’s grip, but he was surprised when he heard laughter.

“It is me, Lord Fitzroy!” The man chuckled. “I so love my mask. I can simply sneak up on people and they would be terrified out of their wits.”

“Ah!” Edwin nodded. “You certainly scared me.”

He recognized Lord Fitzroy all right. After all, the man was hosting the Italian businessmen he was seeking to charm into a deal.

“Now, this must be your Duchess,” Lord Fitzroy said, taking Ava’s hands.

“Indeed!”

He bowed before planting a kiss on her palm.

Something in Edwin’s heart tightened. Was the kiss on the hand simply an innocent gesture, or was Lord Fitzroy being flirtatious?

He tightened his arm around his wife.

“Now, you must meet my guests,” Lord Fitzroy continued as he led them into the throngs of masked people. “They are dignitaries, I must tell you.”

They finally approached the group at the far end of the hall, consisting of two ladies and three gentlemen. The gentlemen were nursing drinks while the ladies chattered.

Despite the masks, Edwin could immediately recognize the Italian dignitaries. Their skin was more tan than others in the group.

“Now, here is the man we have been speaking of—the Duke of Gillingham himself,” Lord Fitzroy announced with such excitement that Edwin had to wonder if the man was drunk.

“Now, this is Lorenzo Toscana and his wife Bella.” Lord Fitzroy gestured as he made the introductions. “This is Luca Riccardo and his wife Andrea. And lastly, Leonardo Matteo. He is a bachelor—perhaps a good Englishwoman might catch his eye on this trip.”

Laughter erupted, and Edwin joined in.

He exchanged quick greetings with the visitors.

“You must meet my wife, the Duchess of Gillingham. We have only just gotten married,” he said, pulling Ava closer.

“Ah, congratulations,Duchessa,” Luca offered.

“You must tell us how you met,” Leonardo asked.

“Please, you must tell Leonardo. Perhaps he’ll pick up a trick or two on how to find a wife.”

“I would be happy to. However, I would leave that to my wife,” Edwin said as he glanced at Ava, smiling fondly.

“Thank you, Edwin,” she responded, holding his gaze just a tad longer.

His heart warmed, and he could not help but wonder if this was for the Italians’ sake or if it was genuine.

“Oh, see the love on their faces!” Andrea crooned.

“How fabulous! To be young and in love,” Bella added.

Edwin took that moment to lean in and gently tuck a lock behind his wife’s ear. She blushed shyly.

“We met at a ball just like this one,” Ava finally said.

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