Page 45 of A Fake Courtship with the Duke
“Well, I do hope you enjoy yourself,” he said.
Anne nodded eagerly, beside herself with the wonder of the Gardens.
“It is magnificent,” she said.
Susan also lifted her glass, grinning at her friend and her brother.
“This is my favourite place to celebrate my birthday,” she said, smiling at the duke. “Thank you for bringing me here, Brother.”
Richard finally tore his gaze away from Anne to give his sister a fond, doting smile.
“It’s my pleasure,” he said, holding his glass upward in a toast. “To the best sister in the world on her special day.”
Anne quickly joined the toast with her companions, the gentle clink of the champagne glasses ringing like delicate bells across the table. They drank, and Susan dribbled some of the drink down her chin, causing them all to laugh. As far as Anne was concerned, their respective families, watching them with scrutiny and disapproval, respectively, didn’t exist. She was in her own world, and she felt truly happy for the first time in years.
After dinner, the duke led them down the lantern-illuminated path that led to the rotunda, where clusters of nobility gathered around while a small orchestra warmed up their instruments with simple music pieces. The music was intoxicating, mixing with the champagne and the headiness of her confusing, delightful feelings for the duke.
He had left Anne to escort Susan to the dance floor with a man who had asked his blessing to invite her to dance, and people were beginning to stare and whisper. But Anne was in such high spirits that she hardly noticed. It was magical at Vauxhall Gardens, to be sure, and she was enjoying every moment of it. There was so much to experience that she couldn’t take it all in quickly enough.
And then, there was the way that the duke had defended her earlier. The dowager duchess’s passive aggressive attempt to insult Anne’s appearance by gushing over the appearanceof Lady Eleanor had hit its mark. But the Duke had noticed right away, despite Anne’s lack of outward reaction. He had been quick to help her feel better, and that effort had had its intended effect, as well. For a moment, she had forgotten that her family was trailing behind them as they walked. In that moment, the only thing that had existed was the duke and her. She was vaguely aware that that was occurring more and more frequently lately. It certainly felt to her as though they had a real relationship. And with each touch, secret smile or warm gaze, Anne found herself hoping that such a thing might be possible.
When the duke finally reappeared, Anne’s heart swelled with joy. He approached with a warm smile, holding out his hand to her.
“Please, tell me that you’ll share this dance with me,” he said with the same tone in which he had delivered the heart-stopping compliment just a short time before.
The first notes of the waltz rang through the air, and Anne’s heart skipped. She placed her hand into his before she even answered him.
“There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing,” she said truthfully.
The duke grinned as though she had just handed him a trove of treasure as he led her onto the dance floor. Once again, she forgot everything except for the feel of his hands as he put them into position for the dance, the smell of his sandalwood cologne and the sparkle in his blue eyes as he stared down at her. The longing to kiss him came suddenly and with ferocity, and she had to force herself to breathe as the dance began. From the very first steps, they moved in perfect harmony with one another, both of them seemingly lost in the dance, their gazes fixed firmly on one another. Once more, they were the only people in the world. And Anne relished every second that she remained locked in the dance and lost in his eyes.
Neither of them spoke as the dance carried on, but there was no need for words. The intensity of their bond was apparent in every step. The closeness of his body to hers made her acutely aware of every inch of her skin, and the silent emotions exchanged with mere glances overwhelmed her. Anne was blissfully forced to confront a profound realization, one which came as no surprise, but filled her with a rush of every emotion she had felt all evening. She was deeply, irrevocably in love with the Duke. Her heart ached with the truth of it. Yet, a persistent doubt gnawed at her. Could he possibly share her sentiments? Once again, the doubt about the falseness of their current relationship crept into her mind. Could he really feel something real for the woman he had agreed only to pretend to be interested in?
As the final notes of the waltz drifted into the evening air, Anne found herself both exhilarated by the dance and consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. She needed a chance to catch her breath, to have a moment of quiet to herself to work her way through her thoughts and feelings. As the duke smiled at her after escorting her off the dance floor, she gave him a sweet smile, blushing as she noticed he was looking at her as if she was the only woman at the Gardens.
“Thank you for another lovely dance,” she said. “I need a little fresh air. Will you excuse me for just a moment?”
The duke smiled, though there was concern in his eyes.
“Of course, Miss Huxley,” he said. “Is everything all right?”
Anne nodded, giving him as reassuring of a smile as she could manage.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “The dance was just a little exerting. I’ll only be a few moments.”
Richard nodded in understanding, an understanding that seemed to convey that he knew how she felt. But she tried not to overthink it. She merely curtseyed, turning casually and walkingout of the rotunda, trying not to draw attention by running as fast as she could. But the second she was able, she slipped out of view of the rotunda’s dazzling lights and hid away in a quiet corner, relishing the cool breeze that caressed her cheeks.
A festoon-adorned hedge beckoned, offering the sanctuary she desperately sought beneath a sky full of stars, while Martha watched over her faithfully. Anne’s heart raced, torn between the rush of her newfound love and the uncertainty that clouded her mind. She longed for the courage to reveal her true feelings to the duke. But the fear that he didn’t reciprocate was enough to make her second guess herself.
It would be most unseemly for her to express sentiments of affection towards him, given that he is merely excelling in his portrayal as her potential suitor. But could she take that chance? It was clear that Lady Eleanor was interested in him, and that his mother intended to see that match take place. Could she afford to hesitate to confess her true feelings?
Just as she began to lose herself in her musings, a familiar voice pulled her back to reality.
“Anne, darling, are you all right?” Susan asked softly.
Anne turned to face her, and the two women shared an unspoken understanding, a silent communion of secrets shared and feelings not yet articulated.
“I’ve fallen in love with him, Susan,” Anne finally said, her eyes finally filling with tears that denoted all the wild emotions she’d been feeling. “I know that was never meant to happen. But it has, and I don’t know what I should do.”
