Page 34 of Her Wicked Duke
“How can I watch your suitors if I am to dance with you?” His eyes bored into her own. “Because I can assure you, dear Anne, that if I dance with you, my eyes will only ever remain onyou.”
She did not know what to do with that confession, so she stalked back into the fray, back toward her friends, and waited for the next man to ask her to dance.
Georgia leaned in. “What happened over there with His Grace? It looked rather heated,” she whispered.
“It is nothing.” Anne waved a hand dismissively. “He used to spend Christmas with us, and he was teasing me about how I was when I was younger.”
“He is still watching you.”
Anne braved a peek across the ballroom. Indeed, Alexander averted his gaze when she did.
“Do you believe that His Grace harbors affection for you?” Georgia asked.
“I do not think so.” Anne shrugged. “I think he enjoys toying with people. As you all said, he is quite heartless.”
“I know Jocelyn and Clarice have their opinions, but I do think he is rather handsome.”
“A handsome face can hide a rotten core, Georgia.” Anne sighed.
“Of course.” Georgia nodded. “But if a man looks at me with that much longing, I would wonder further about his intentions.”
Anne paid that no mind. Or she tried to. Because how much longing could Alexander possess if he refused to dance with her? Even if he thought he had his reasons, he still rejected her.
“Anne, may I ask you something, though? I promise it is not about His Grace.”
“Of course.”
“I cannot help but feel that there has been something on your mind lately. I don’t know if it is because of His Grace being around you, but I am worried that if you are unable to relieve yourself of whatever concerns you, it will affect your prospects. Jocelyn is also worried about you.”
Anne straightened. Her friends had been talking about her? “I am quite fine,” she assured.
“Of course, but thereissomething on your mind, isn’t there?” Georgia pressed gently. “I know I am not as knowledgeable as Clarice or as dependable as Jocelyn, but I do care about you, Anne. I see us in similar situations, and I don’t wish to be someone who leaves you behind if your prospects are hindered by whatever clouds your lovely face.”
My worries do not cloud my face, Anne wished to say.
Except, she didn’t say that. Instead, she smiled, and said, “Thank you for worrying about me. I often think of my brother away in Europe. Christian and Alexander have always been close, so Alexander is merely playing the role of a chaperone. Nothing more. It is why he teases me, I believe.” She hoped her answer would placate her friend. “I am well, Georgia,” she continued. “Nothing shall affect my prospects, nor will anything affect me this Season. I am quite optimistic.”
Her eyes scanned the ballroom, and, thankfully, she spotted the Earl of Marston making his way toward Georgia.
“I see the Earl of Marston coming your way,” Anne said, giggling.
Georgia turned toward her. “Does my hair look all right, Anne?”
“You look beautiful, and he is a lucky man to have your attention.”
The Earl of Marston took Georgia’s hand and led her to the dancefloor. Anne lingered on the periphery. When she looked up, she saw Alexander approaching her. She refused to let him change his mind about dancing with her. So, she turned toward the nearest handsome gentleman and asked him to dance with her.
In a matter of seconds, she was dancing past Alexander, watching him seethe silently.
It was only when she circled past him during the second half of the dance did he step close to her, glaring at her dance partner. “I think you have danced enough, no?” he asked, his voice tense.
“No,” she answered. “I have not danced enough yet, Alexander. Not until I have forgotten your rejection.”
“I know you are trying to make me jealous,” he gritted out. “It’s working excellently. Is that what you wish to hear? That I hate seeing you in the arms of another man despite not dancing with you myself? You have my reaction, Anne. What shall you do with it?”
She hoped he expected her to smile prettily and say,What I shall do is ask you again to dance and hope you say yes this time.For she merely leaned out of her dance partner’s arms and said, “I shall do absolutely nothing. Just knowing you are jealous is enough for me, Alexander.”
With that, she let herself be spun around the dancefloor, her eyes not bold enough to find the Duke’s.
