Page 100 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
Her brother, she noticed, was surrounded by many lords. All currying favor, she hoped. He was flushed and positively happy.
“Thank you, Lady Sheridan,” Veronica said.
“Although I must pose the question, where is my nephew?” Lady Sheridan asked.
“He is?—”
“Here.”
The low voice behind Veronica startled her, for she had been prepared for make more excuses for her absent husband. But now she turned, her eyes wide as she watched Henry approach through the crowd of guests. He was dressed in his dark clothing, as usual, but he wore a silk cravat that matched her dress, and her throat went dry.
I love him, she realized with a start as he fixed his jacket cuffs.
His eyes did not leave hers, and for the first time since their argument, they were not full of anger. They were intense, heavy on her, but he did not look at her with pure removed detachment this time.
I love him, and I am leaving after tonight’s ball, and he is happy for me to go.
She wanted nothing more than to stay.
However, her future could not remain in Westley manor, for her husband did not want children with her, nor even think himself capable of returning her love.
And yet she could tear her gaze from him.
And he could not look away from her. Something flickered his gaze when he looked her slowly up and down, as if he had not truly seen her before in his study. Now, he undressed her with that look on his face alone.
The spell broke at Lady Sheridan’s clearing of her throat.
“Lady Sheridan,” Henry greeted, turning to his aunt and finally joining Veronica’s side. She fought the urge to move closer. “It is good to see you.”
“It is good to see you,” she said, unimpressed. “But why were you not here to greet your guests alongside your wife?”
Henry tensed.
He must despise that I am his wife now, Veronica thought.He must resent ever offering to marry me.
“I was slowed down with work,” he said. “Estate matters. It is settled now.”
She tutted. “Next time, you must take the evening away from work to host these engagements together.”
He nodded curtly, dipping his head. Veronica could not bear it. She ached to be near him, but that was a hard task when he senther heart wildly racing with a mixture of unease, nerves, and attraction. She could not consider how she loved him while he wanted nothing to do with her after tonight.
“Excuse me,” she murmured. “I must speak with my mother.”
But before she could leave, the music began to swell. Violin strings sang, and a flutist began a slow, melodic tune.
“Oh!” Lady Sheridan cried. “Henry, you must ask your wife to dance. You are the honored hosts, after all. It is the least you can offer Her Grace after leaving her for your work tonight.”
He is leaving me for greater reasons than that, Veronica thought dully.
Her husband glared at his aunt who encouraged him with a push towards Veronica. He stumbled, catching himself, seething. But Lady Sheridan was not deterred, far used to his scowling. Around them, guests watched as Henry hesitated.
Finally, he offered his hand. “Duchess, may I have this dance?”
His eyes met hers. His brow twitched as though it pained him to ask.
Veronica nodded and slipped her hand into his. It was the first time they had touched in two weeks, and the shock of it went through her. In silence, they walked onto the dance floor as the music spun a tune around them.
He has only asked to avoid whispers of our marriage, she told herself.He does not truly wish to dance with me.
