Page 25 of The Heiress Gets a Duke
“And what does she think of that?”
“I believe she has tried to forget it happened.” Evan smiled. Despite the way he dreaded a forced marriage, he was quite looking forward to sparring with her again.
She whirled one last time to the fading notes of the song, smiling up at her partner. He dearly hoped she was not getting too fond of the boy. Something along the balcony caught her attention, drawing her gaze up, and their eyes met. The smile faded from her lips. Even across the great distance between them, an awareness of her pulled at him.
She glanced away but looked back just as quickly. There was no doubt in his mind that she felt the attraction between them as well. After tonight she would be his and everyone would know it. There was a satisfaction in that he had not felt in a very long time. It was even better than brawling an opponent into submission. As he watched, she raised her chin and intentionally gave him her back as she allowed Atherton to lead her into the crowd until they both disappeared.
Having watched the exchange, Leigh gave a soft grunt that was as close to a laugh as Evan had ever heard from him. “I am glad now that I decided to come along with you. I will have a front-row seat to the moment when you make your intentions known. Should be interesting.”
Interesting was one way to view it. Evan half expected to come away with his eyes scratched out.
“She seems to have a mind of her own,” said Leigh. “How do you intend to gain her cooperation in this marriage?”
“I am not certain her parents will give her much of a choice. In time, she will come to understand that I will hardly make the worst husband.”
“That leaves much to chance. What if she decides on the young viscount there?”
“Her parents prefer a duke.” Evan had seen their eyes glaze over in pleasure when he was introduced to them. He knew the type enough to understand that it was his title they were after. A mere viscount would not do when one was in search of a duke.
“Sterling.” Leigh and his brother were the only ones who still called him that. Leigh had been two years ahead of him at Eton, and despite the lame leg that had him using a cane, he had managed to wrangle control as head student of his class. Much of that was to do with the tone he was using now. “Do you remember the first rule I taught you in fighting? Never, under any circumstances, underestimate your opponent. That includes women, perhaps especially women. You cannot leave this up to her. We already know she has an independent streak. She ostensibly snuck out to attend the fight, so she is not above a bit of impulsiveness. If you do not take control, then she could very well find someone else ready to snatch her out from under you.”
The heat of suppressed anger prickled through Evan’s chest, swelling it with ire at the very idea of someone taking her from him. “What would you have me do? Abduct her?”
“That’s one way to handle things. However, the logistics would likely get in your way. Without a special license, you would need to get her across the border and married as soon as possible, and you do not have an estate in Scotland to satisfy the residency requirement.”
The stillness of his features suggested he was entirely serious. Stunned, Evan said, “I see you have given this a disturbing amount of thought. I was jesting.”
Leigh shrugged. “I like to win, so I consider all angles. Have you considered ruin?”
“She does not care a whit for her reputation.”
“Be that as it may, her father is trying to secure some fairly major deals while in London. Having a daughter with a scandalous reputation would not help him, nor would it help her younger, unmarried sister. We all break to pressure at some point. The question is, where is Miss Crenshaw’s breaking point?”
“I do not care for the idea of ruining her.” He did, however, like the idea of kissing her. Of having the time alone with her to properly explore her, having her open beneath him, all soft and warm. Perhaps a gentle reminder of the passion that flared between them would be enough to convince her.
“Sometimes I wonder why you and I are friends. You’re not nearly ruthless enough in your ambition,” Leigh said in a wry tone.
“That is because you are ruthless enough for both of us.” Giving his friend a grin, Evan made his way to the couple below, ready to claim his bride.
***
August had known to expect Rothschild at the ball, but the reality of seeing him again was far different than what she had imagined. She had anticipated she would feel self-righteous anger and a renewed commitment to keep her sister safe from him. And both of those were there. Yet, as much as she wanted to, she could not deny the fluttery anticipation in her belly when she had met his gaze.
She hated to admit it, but it was because she was as attracted to his looks as any other woman. Perhaps it was because she had seen him as the Hellion, before knowing him as the duke who meant to take Violet from them. Despite their argument in the garden, there had been a tiny seed of a spark even then. How unlucky that the one man she found more appealing than all others was the one man she most despised. August had once thought herself above such base emotions, but it appeared that she was not. Not one of the men back home whom she had kissed had managed to rouse her interest half so well.
Damnation!
Lady Helena March waited for her with two glasses of champagne in hand. August had met the young widow at a small dinner party her first week in London where they had bonded over their mutual love of sweets and their distaste for small talk. Ever since, they managed to seek each other out when they attended the same events. The sight of a friendly face—no matter how recently the friend had been made—in the midst of her turmoil was enough to make her knees weak with relief. Thanking Lord Atherton for the dance, she sank down onto the edge of a chair. Her gown was not made for sitting and pulled across the bodice. To be fair, it was not made for much other than standing and theoccasional dancing. The silk fabric was temperamental and prone to wrinkling, but August couldn’t bring herself to care about that at the moment. Now was the time to get her thoughts in order, because Rothschild’s expression had left no doubt that he had come prepared to do battle and win.
“Where is Violet?”
“Your mother intercepted her on the dance floor with the intention of introducing her to Lord and Lady Hampford.” Lady Helena sank into the chair beside her and pressed a coupe of champagne into her hand. “I have danced with Lord Atherton enough to know that look on your face. Here, you need this.”
August smiled as she brought the glass to her lips and drank deeply, hoping to settle her nerves. “It’s not Lord Atherton. He was perfectly charming.”
Lady Helena tilted her elegant blond head and pursed her lips thoughtfully. “As a child, he once coaxed me into the woodshed with the promise of a nest of baby rabbits, only to pull a lizard from his pocket, toss it on me, and run away.Charmingis not a word I would use to describe him.”
August laughed. Despite the fact that Lady Helena was the daughter of an earl, she had an easygoing manner about her and was always ready with a smile and a jest. Older than the debutantes surrounding them, August found her to be charming, intelligent, and generous.
