Page 51 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
“You…” she started, at a loss for words.
He grinned. “I have surprised you, I see. Did you think I did not know how to dress?”
She took a step closer, looking him up and down, and that was when she noticed his sash, a matching gold to her dress. “Oh…” was all she could say.
He offered her his arm. “Your Grace, will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the ball.”
She curtsied prettily. “I will, Your Grace.”
He made her an elegant leg before taking her arm. “May I say how breathtaking you look tonight?” he asked.
She looked at him and smiled. “Only if I may say the same.”
“You flatter me.”
“I do assure you, I tell only God’s truth.”
“Well then… we are a matched set,” he said softly.
“In more ways than one,” she agreed.
Mr. Michaelson was disguised as a servant, so he could move around freely amongst the guests. Mr. Gabriel was sitting nearthe orchestra, watching the dance floor. Edward recognized a few Home Office fellows as they came in, knowing they had been sent as reinforcements. His eyes widened as they fell on Lord Aaron Fenton, arrogantly walking down the corridor toward them, his nose turned up at the paintings on the wall as he passed.
He turned at once to Ava. “I am so sorry. I did not know he would come,” he whispered.
“Who?” Ava asked.
“Your Graces,” a grating voice said, “I am obliged for the invitation.”
Edward turned slowly to face Aaron, his eyes narrowed. “Indeed,” he gritted out, “welcome.”
To his rage, the Earl turned to Ava and grabbed her hand. “Your Grace, my congratulations on your fortuitous marriage,” he said before kissing her knuckles.
Edward’s hand clenched in a fist, and he very nearly decked the other man. Ava put a hand gently on his arm. “Thank you, Lord Fenton. You are welcome.” She moved aside pointedly so that the Earl had no choice but to move along. Thankfully, there was a break in the line of guests and Edward turned to Ava.
“I am so terribly sorry. I shall ask him to leave right away.”
“No. It is fine. He had the audacity to come here. We shall not satisfy his peccadillos by showing that we are upset by it. Let us just ignore him for the rest of the night.”
He squeezed her hand. “You are a strong and brave woman, My Duchess. I am such a lucky man to have found you.”
She gave him a strained smile. “Trust me, it is because I have had years of practice.”
There was no one that stood out among the guests they greeted who fit the description of John Winchester, but considering that everyone was in masks, it was difficult to tell.
Ava’s father tapped her arm, and she turned to face him. “May I have this dance?”
Ava’s flicked a glance at Edward before letting his arm go. He watched as the two of them headed to the dance floor before resuming his rounds. He spotted Michaelson in the corner, pretending to drink a glass of port, and quirked an eyebrow at him. Michaelson shook his head subtly before turning away.
A hand on his arm startled him. “Will you not twirl your aunt around the dance floor?” Lady Lanton suggested scoldingly.
With an internal sigh, Edward offered her his arm and led her to the floor. He continued to look around as he went through the dance steps, looking for any clue as to who might look theslightest bit out of place or nervous or just be a stranger he had never seen before.
That made him think of Aaron Fenton, and he looked around for the man. He felt the need to confront him, to give him a piece of his mind, perhaps challenge him to a duel at dawn. Edward snorted at the thought. He knew he was being overly dramatic.
His eyes fell on the fellow himself and narrowed. He had Ava cornered, and whatever he was saying to her was clearly not pleasing to her. Edward changed direction, cutting through the crowds to get to them.
“Unhand me,” Ava said coldly, her eyes flicking around the room for Edward.
