Page 33 of Her Beastly Duke
Lord and Lady Phillips were having their annual ball, which was well attended. Lady Phillips moved with grace and confidence, an easy smile on her face. A tasteful collar of diamonds set in gold glittered at her throat, with a matching bracelet encircling her gloved risk. She dressed with the extravagance of a seasoned lady of privilege. The ball was filled with young, unmarried, demure ladies, hoping they would catch the eye of an eligible bachelor. They were no different from Briar except for the wealth that befits their station.
The ball was like all the others Briar had attended over the past two weeks. The novelty had worn off, and she was bored with it all. She constantly felt she was putting herself on display at an auction in hopes of snagging the highest bid. Lord Carter, an earl, had danced with her at each ball, called upon her at the townhouse and took her for a stroll in Hyde Park. He seemed interested in courting her, but she hoped someone else would come along because the earl was so dull. He wanted a meek andpowerless wife who would be a caretaker to her family. She could not imagine fencing with him, for he would not allow it. Would he jump into the river to save her? She did not know him well enough to feel confident he would.
Since she arrived in London, she had not seen the man who made her heart race with excitement. A business matter had delayed Julius, but Emmeline told her he had arrived in town a week ago. Briar wondered if Julius was getting cold feet; if he had come to see her, she would have asked him. When she was at Berkley Estate, he said he would call upon her, but she should not read too much into it. Perhaps he was being polite.
A hush fell over the crowd before the next announcement.
“His Grace, the Duke of Berkley.”
Briar quickly glanced up, and then she saw him. He was truly here. Julius stood tall, impeccably dressed, and he radiated confidence. Briar gave a small gasp as the ballroom erupted in whispers. Julius was not wearing his mask, and the chatter moved through the spectators as they stared and judged. The crowd parted as Julius moved further into the room, and Lady Phillips went to greet him. Briar released the breath she had been holding. Julius flashed Lady Phillips a smile and one could never tell that he had been missing from the social circles. He seemed relaxed and affable.
Whispers floated toward her, and the gossips did not care if they were overheard.
“Well, I never! Isn’t that the beastly duke?”
“Indeed. He has not graced the ballroom for years.”
“Not since he received that disfiguring scar.”
The lady unfurled her fan and pretended to whisper behind it. “He returned from France with his tail between his legs and was never seen without his mask. No one wanted to see his ugly face.”
“I wonder why he has graced us with his presence and without his mask at that.”
“I would love to know. Perhaps he got tired of his solitary life.”
“Or he is looking for a wife.”
The lady scoffed and paused before she asked. “Do you think so?”
“I do. He is a duke, after all, so he must think of the dukedom, but the question is, who will have him?”
“I would not! Just look at his face.”
“Hideous.”
Julius towered over Lady Phillips and most men there. It was easy for him to search through the crowd, and finally, he spotted Briar. It was as if her gaze drew him, and she was happy that he searched for her. Briar dearly hoped that she would manage to keep her expression neutral as there were enough murmurs going around. She did not doubt that he felt the attraction between them. His gaze held hers for a moment too long, and the smile faded from her lips. An awareness of him pulled at her even across the great distance between them. Briar glanced away and quickly scanned the crowd, but her eyes drifted back to him.
Briar tore her gaze away to see Lord Fenton, Emmeline, and Mama approaching her. Julius arrived shortly thereafter, and introductions were made. Emmeline greeted Briar with a peck on the cheek. Julius wasted no time with pleasantries.
“May I have this dance, Miss Walcot?”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
Julius held out his hand, and Briar took it as they moved to the dance floor. There were several couples around them, and the orchestra started to play a quadrille. It was the perfect dance that would allow Julius to complete some of the moves with other ladies. Constantly changing partners lessened the need for intimacy and lengthy conversation, but at least he would dancewith other partners, albeit briefly. Unlike the waltz, couples were not close and barely touched. Julius was graceful in his movements, and then he moved along. Briar’s next partner was Lord Carter, who was no match for Julius. The earl’s movements were practiced and lacked natural grace. He kept stealing glances at her, which reminded her that she needed to flirt. Like all the other young ladies seeking a husband, she had a purpose here. She lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile, and the earl responded in kind.
Briar was guided by the melody, and as the sound reached her through the skilled orchestra, she found that she was quite enjoying the dance. Partners moved along, and Julius was in front of her again. He cast a sideway glance at the earl. The couples moved across the dance floor, never losing their rhythm.
“You look exquisite this evening, Miss Walcot.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I see you are not wearing your mask.”
“I met a certain young lady, and she said I did not need it. I was skeptical at first, but later, I realized she was right. This is who I am.”
Warmth radiated through Briar. “I am pleased that you feel confident without it. A smart young lady, wouldn’t you say?”
Julius chuckled. “And cocky?”
“I much prefer self-assured, Your Grace.”
