Page 8 of Wedded to the Forbidden Duke
“It is settled, then.” Lady Sheridan clapped her hands together. “We shall host a ball. The finest of the season. Dazzling, but still intimate. French fashions, in honor of your trip. And if the earl doesn’t fill up your dance card before the night’s properly begun, I will eat my hat. And, of course, you will have the opportunity to dance with other gentlemen, as well. It may do something to spur the earl on, if a spark of jealousy were to align in his heart.”
“Mama, we cannot just host balls on a whim anymore,” Nancy reminded her, sounding a bit embarrassed. “The new viscount, remember?” He controls the accounts, and the estates.”
“Oh, leave the viscount to me. I am more than certain he will say yes to let us throw a ball. Particularly when I mention it is to aid in your prospects of marriage.”
“Well. I suppose if the new viscount approves, I can hardly protest,” Nancy said, that small smile returning to her cheeks.
Cecilia grinned back at her best friend, her external excitement barely holding a candle to the thrill that lit her insides. All was going perfectly according to her plan.
She couldn’t wait to see the look on the Duke of Harwick’s face.
Chapter Four
“Aball?” Ian asked his friend as they walked down the street on their way to the nearest gentleman’s club. “So soon? You cannot mean it.”
“I do,” Zachary said.
Ian laughed in disbelief. “God, I thought the social season had just ended.”
They had yet to find the time to go to the gentleman’s club since returning from their travels, and after having to spend time dueling with Lady Cecilia over pall-mall and dinner, the duke was most looking forward to speaking to his friend in an easy, familiar environment. Somewhere where he could find out the true nature of Zachary’s intentions towards young Miss Banfield, once and for all.
Not that he truly had any doubts. He knew Zachary, after all. He knew very well that Zachary would come to his senses as soonas he found another young lady—preferably someone married, widowed, or both—to dally with, rather than the impressionable young friend of his sister.
And, of course, he wanted, more than anything else, to prove Lady Cecilia wrong.
“Quite the opposite,” Zachary said, winking at a pretty young lady they passed.There is my best friend, Ian thought, immediately put at ease by the returning of the world to its natural order. He gave an easy smile to the young lady’s friend, his eyes running up and down her silk-clad curves. The two women giggled as they passed. “In fact, the social season has only barely begun.”
Ian let out a mock groan, tilting his head back. “Oh, good lord. Is it not enough to have to deal with the voracious mamas and husband-seeking young ladies of London year-round? I had grown used to the comparative peace and quiet of the Continent.”
“Ah, cheer up, Harwick,” Zachary said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You have managed to resist the marriage mart up until now. I have no doubts you’ll find success in that endeavor for many seasons to come.”
Ian furrowed his brow. “I know not whether to be reassured or insulted.”
“Oh, both, for certain.” Zachary smiled. “But yes, the season is only just beginning. You cannot be too surprised. It is, after all,why Miss Banfield has returned; you cannot imagine a young lady would leave London on the precipice of her debut. And, indeed, that is why her mother has seen fit to throw the ball.”
Ian looked at him, eyebrows raised. “Oh?” he asked, tone poised to gently tease his friend. “You know, for a man who I have never known to take interest in the season even once, you seem to suddenly know quite a great deal about the inner workings of the matter. And the inner workings of the Banfield house, in particular.”
Zachary’s cheeks went slightly pink. “Ah,” he said, before looking down and clearing his throat. “Yes, well. My mother and sister were discussing the matter at breakfast this morning. You know, ladies. When they talk. Difficult to get them to change the subject to anything else.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Ian’s smirk grew to a full grin. He shrugged facing forward. “And I am certain you weren’t listening rapt to every word. You never cease to surprise me, Lindbury. I never knew it, but it turns out you are quite the little gossip.” He paused, chuckling and shaking his head. “Though perhaps I should have known, given what I know of your sister.”
Zachary laughed at that. “Oh, do not tell me you are still sore about that night, so long ago? Cecilia meant no harm, nor did she wish to eavesdrop.”
Ian tilted his head, unconvinced. “I would be certain she meant no harm, if she did not seem so firmly to dislike me.”
“Well, you can’t expect anything else from Celie,” Zachary said firmly. “She has always been a woman of her own mind, and an annoying little twit, to boot. She likely just sees you as an extension of me. Someone else she can needle at.” He sighed. “It is a wonder she managed to catch a best friend as sweet as Miss Banfield.”
“A wonder indeed,” Ian muttered to himself. When he looked back up, Zachary’s eyes had widened. “What is it?”
“Speak of the…” Zachary cleared his throat and nodded. When Ian looked up, he saw the cause of his friend’s sudden transformation in demeanor. Just ahead of them down the street was Miss Banfield herself, accompanied by her mother, Lady Sheridan, as well as Zachary’s mother, Lady Lindbury.
And, of course, the one person Ian wanted to speak to least in the world.
Based on the look on Lady Cecilia’s face when her eyes caught his, it seemed she felt exactly the same way about him. Perhaps there was some comfort to be found in that. Even if the lady frustrated him to no end, they could at least see eye to eye on their mutual distaste for each other.
Of course, regardless of how aggravating Lady Cecilia was…it was difficult to deny her beauty.
Nor did he wish to deny it. If anything, the fire of her anger towards him only seemed to heighten how attractive she was. The delicacy of her features contrasted beautifully with thepassion that reddened her cheeks and lit up her eyes whenever they traded wits. How far down would that flush extend, he wondered, if he were to have her laid bare before him?
