She floated down the staircase, leaving her sister and Helena trailing after.
As they descended the steps, Miss Fernsby-Webb leaned over and whispered, “I hope that one day we are both as happy as she.”
“As do I,” Helena replied, a sharp pang slicing through her chest.
She didn’t deserve happiness.
“Of course, I understand.” Miss Webb’s voice rose from the foyer. “We won’t need more than three sleighs.”
When Helena and her sister reached the bottom of the staircase, the Duke of Roxburghe approached them and apologized.
“Warwick won’t be accompanying us this afternoon,” he said, gesturing toward the snowy grounds visible through the beveled window beside the door. “The cold is bothering his leg, and Mansfield stayed to keep him company.”
Beaufort snorted. “Mansfield is sulking because he can’t determine the identity of the woman who stole from him.”
Collecting a fur-lined pelisse from the coat rack, Miss Webb asked, “How should we select partners?”
It appeared an innocent question, but Helena knew Miss Webb intended to steer her toward the Duke of Lennox.
A low rumble echoed through the foyer.
“No other man accompanies you,” the Duke of Roxburghe growled, crossed the floor, and wrapped his arms around Miss Webb, constricting his embrace until she vanished.
“I was referring to my sister and Miss Rowe.” Her muffled voice crawled over the Duke of Roxburghe’s shoulders.
“Easily solved.” Keeping one arm on Miss Webb’s waist, he turned and pointed at the other dukes in succession. “Lennox will escort Miss Rowe, and Beaufort will chaperone Miss Fernsby-Webb.”
Miss Fernsby-Webb bristled. “I don’t need a chaperone.”
“I do.” The Duke of Beaufort wiggled his eyebrows.
She laughed, then placed her hand in the crook of his offered arm. “I shall do my best to protect your virtue, Your Grace.”
“You’ve already failed miserably at your task,” he said, leaning closer as he led her out the front door. “I’m quite a scoundrel.”
The Duke of Lennox bowed to Helena, then extended his elbow. When she accepted it, his other hand came down on top of hers, pinning her fingers to his arm.
“Now that you cannot escape,” he murmured as they followed Miss Webb and the Duke of Roxburghe toward a trio of sleighs. “I have some questions for you.”
Helena’s heart exploded into triple-time.
She glanced at his profile. “Questions?”
He turned, locking his eyes on her. “I wish to know more about Miss Helena Rowe.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LEVI OVERTON, DUKE OF LENNOX
She paled but didn’t retract her hand as he expected.
“For every question you ask, do I earn one in return?” asked Miss Rowe, the tip of her pink tongue darting out to moisten her lips.
His gaze followed her tongue, all manner of inappropriate thoughts tumbling through his mind. Shaking his head to clear the carnal images, he asked, “There are things about me you don’t know? Do you not read the society papers?”
“I do,” she said, wholly unaware of the effect of that one little movement, and climbed into the sleigh. “However, I doubt your life is comprised solely of scandals and business dealings.”
“More so than I care to admit.” Levi chuckled, his gaze flicking to Beaufort. “But I will agree to your request since I’m curious to know what you wish to learn about me.”
