Page 42 of A Tenuous Betrothal
Miss Davies laughed now. “You make it sound so... weak of them.”
“Not at all. But I must know the competition.” He coughed. “Those who will be competing against one another.” His heart pounded for a second and then quieted.
“Well, you apparently know about Lord Carmine. And I’d love to hear more about why you dislike him.”
“I don’t dislike him.” He hoped the lie fell smoothly off his tongue, because he really didn’t want to analyze why he didn’t like the man.
“You most certainly do not like him. But we can discuss that later. I haven’t been asked for any other sets yet, besides the one he asked me for at the dinner party and the second set you requested.”
He studied the room. “We can be strategic if you like. I will lead you in the direction of someone you would most like to meet. Then Lord Carmine can find you there, after you have filled in a few more dances. I’ll take the last set. If you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” She smiled and then let her gaze flit around the room. “Goodness, so many people are staring at you.”
“At you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. They already know me. They are staring at this new beauty who has floated into their midst.”
“Oh, stop. They’re watching you. Every woman here wishes she were me right now.”
“That might be true, in more ways than one.” He grinned. “But look around. That lord in the corner. He’s gentle.”
“Gentle?” She followed his gaze, and Marc watched her face while she tried to be polite. “Gentle. Of course he’s gentle. He’s probably three decades older than I am.”
“Possibly, yes, but think how little you’d need to put up with him.” He laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m joking. In all seriousness, the set will end soon. Where shall I take you?”
“To someone not in Lord Carmine’s circles.”
Interesting.He’d love to hear why she said that. “You need that corner, over there.” He indicated with his chin a group of intellectuals. They were titled, most of them, but they spent time actually attending the House of Lords, studying and speaking at Cambridge, and bettering the world. Elsie, Hayes’s wife, had introduced them to Prince Marc, and he’d found them to be the cream of the London crop.
“And what is so special about them?”
“Well, for one, Lord Carmine would never find himself with that set.”
“Then, yes, we shall go there directly.”
The music came to an end. They clapped politely, and before Lord Carmine could extricate himself from his current partner, Marc rushed Miss Davies over to the crowd in the corner. Every man there stood taller as they approached.
“His Highness has returned.” The Duke of Halstead stepped forward with his hand out to shake. The elder man was widowed.
Marc could almost feel Miss Davies chastise him with her eyes. But he just laughed. “Gentlemen, the Londontonhas a new guest here. Besides my brothers and myself, Miss Davies joins us from Wales as my personal friend and that of my father.”
His friends did not disappoint. They bowed as he made the introductions, and soon Miss Davies’s dance card was full with the names of fine, respectable men Marc felt comfortable for her to choose from. His cravat felt tight again. He knew better than to disturb his valet’s good work, but he also knew why it suddenly felt so constricting. He wasn’t sure he felt entirely comfortable withanyonemarrying Miss Davies. And he wasn’t so sure guilt was the only thing governing his emotions.
The instruments warmed up for the second set, and right on cue, Lord Carmine arrived. Marc again made the introductions, which Lord Carmine only half-heartedly acknowledged before he pranced away with Miss Davies on his arm.
The Duke of Halstead stepped up to his side. “Not certain why you’re introducing the woman you love to a bunch of impressive, highly eligible men.”
Marc started inside but schooled his features. “That’s a rather bold assumption.” Love? Where was the man getting love?
“Perhaps I’m seeing things that aren’t there. But I do believe you have a chance at love with such a woman, and I’m guessing there isn’t another one like her.”
“I’m just getting to know her, but I’m inclined to agree.”
The duke nodded. “And this Lord Carmine. I presume you’ve heard about his wager.”
Marc frowned.
