Page 45 of The Duke's Return
“Then you should probably tell the rest of the country so they know better,” she muttered as the carriage door swung open. Turning her back on her husband didn’t help with the bundle of nerves now growing stronger inside her stomach. She could feel him looking at her. Watching her. Studying her.
Probably wondering if I am failing. Judging me for not acting sweet enough or dim enough for his household.
Reaching the carriage, Genevieve paused and turned her head back slightly after turning down the attendant ready to assist her. “Husband?”
No one can dare believe otherwise when I do something like this.Lord, I need strength to get through this.
“Yes, my dear?”
“You promised to wait on me hand and foot because you cared for me so.” She put out her hand for him, her cheeks flushing as she wondered how everyone might interpret her daring remarks. “Don’t you recall?”
The speed at which Julian arrived at her side surprised even her. She had to hold back a gasp when his hand enveloped hers. They paused to look at once another. Then he started to grin, tightening his grasp on her even as he offered a courtly bow.
“May the Lord strike me down should I dare forget again,” he told her.
“I’d rather He didn’t, or I would have to climb inside all on my own,” she responded neatly before stepping her way into the carriage.
As her husband followed, she could hear him chuckling. The two of them situated themselves as the door closed beside them. A second later, they were rolling down the path.
Julian watched her, his knees nearly knocking into her own if they weren’t more careful. “How clever you are. You astound me, Genevieve.”
Ignoring the shiver that ran down her spine when he said her name, she forced herself to sit higher. Her chin lifted. “I am by no means perfect but I am not a fool either.”
“No,” he agreed, “You are not. I do believe you should have more faith in yourself after that little gamble. Tonight will be easier than the gardens, I mark you. It will be over before you know it and all your fan fluttering will be forgotten––or remembered in the best way possible.”
“Now that is a gamble,” she huffed. “I most likely won’t know more than one or two souls in attendance.”
Julian shifted his hat from one knee to the other as he said, “You’ll know a minimum of two. Lady Penbury is Lady Elena’s dearest friend, I hear, so you’ll be able to see her again.”
A tight smile graced Genevieve’s lip. “That will not be the case as Lady Elena is currently indisposed. She wrote me an apology this morning that she will not be in attendance as she had originally planned.”
“Ah, well. All the better for you to make new friends,” Julian reasoned.
Although she wanted to believe him, she wasn’t entirely confident she could. There were at least five mistakes she had made at the garden party that she didn’t wish to replicate again.Besides, an afternoon affair required less poise and prominence compared to a ball. Doubts rattled about in her head along the way until at last they arrived at Penbury Hall.
They had just finished the receiving line when her concerns were confirmed. Stopping in the entryway of the ball, Genevieve tightened her lips.
“See?” Julian prompted. “Nothing has happened.”
“Except it has. People are looking at us.”
He fixed his hat to a jaunty angle. “Only because we look so perfect.”
“No,” Genevieve reasoned in irritation. Her cheeks heated up. “Because I am overdressed. I came prepared for a ball like those in London, where everyone has access to seamstresses and fabric from Paris. They don’t have that out in the country, I realize now. I’m overdressed. It’s mortifying.”
While she was speaking, she noted at least three parties of ladies glanced over at them. Their eyes would skim over Julian with interest before turning to her, only to flash and hide their lips behind fans.
Surely an appearance is all that is needed from me. I could just turn around and take my leave. No one would notice. No one would care.
“No one is dressed as neatly as us because there are no other dukes or duchesses in attendance,” Julian reassured her as only a dense man could do. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at him. It took effort, weakening her against his pull for them to start walking around the room. “You look just splendid tonight, and I think you’ll have a lovely time.”
It might have been said with good intentions, but Genevieve had a hard time comprehending that. Still, she tried.
Once the two of them had completed a stroll around the room, Julian brought them to one small party where he introduced her two several country gentlemen he had known at one time or another. It appeared he knew nearly everyone in this room.
“See?” Julian whispered in her ear a very long hour later. “It’s going marvelously.” She only raised an eyebrow. “Would some punch put you at ease? Sherry?”
Hesitating, Genevieve glanced around the group that was shifting about again. “Punch, if they have it. Please.”
