Page 24 of The Duke's Gamble
“Aside from his clear interest in Christina.”
At this, Florentina could not help but smile. “Yes, it is clear to me that both Lord Crawley and Lord Barlow are interested in furthering their acquaintance with Christina… though she ought to be cautious when it comes to Lord Crawley, as I have said to her before.” Thus far, Lord Crawley had not repeated his request to speak to Florentina in private but she could tell by the intensity of his gaze which lingered on her at times. It did not please her and thus, she was doing all she could to avoid his company.
“I am sure she will be. Now,” Lady Haddington continued, letting out a long breath and then pinning a smile to her face as she lifted her chin, “we must continue on in society and do what we can to enjoy the Season. I am sure that this evening will be one of great enjoyment.”
Florentina tried to smile but there was a knot tightening in her stomach with every step she took. Yet again, she was to face an evening of confusion and sorrow, for she would have Lord Allington’s attentions coming towards her whilst being fully aware of the Duke’s presence near to her and, at the same time, avoiding Lord Crawley’s company! This, as well as doing what she could to assist her mother in supporting Christina in society, in the hope that her sister might make a good match.
It was all very draining and, as she greeted their hosts for the evening, Florentina’s spirits sank all the more.
Just what would this evening bring?
***
“Lady Florentina, good evening.”
Florentina turned, her heart slamming hard in her chest. “Your Grace.”
“I thought I should inform you about my intentions to continue on in society,” he said, speaking to her quickly and quietly, clearly hoping that their conversation would not last long. “I have been enjoying myself and intend to stay for at least another three months.”
Florentina’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “That long?”
He nodded. “Indeed.”
“I see.” She looked back at him steadily, though the Duke’s gaze quickly dropped. “And when, might I ask, will we make our announcement to society? After all, I have been waiting for some weeks now, as you know.”
The Duke sniffed. “I do not feel as though there is any great haste.”
“No haste?” Florentina repeated, her hands curling into fists. “Dartmoor, might I remind you that we are betrothed and that our marriage ought to be at the forefront of your mind? What purpose do you have in delaying it?”
At this, the Duke’s jaw tightened visibly. “Because, asyouare well aware, I have no interest in marriage! I did not wish to bind myself to you, I did not wish to wed and now it is being forced upon me— ”
“By your own foolishness,” Florentina interrupted, setting one hand flat against his chest as she glared up at him. “Youare the cause of these present circumstances so pray, do not think thatIam somehow to blame.” Her chest rose and fell in great, heavy breaths and as she looked up into the Duke’s face, saw how his hazel eyes were softening though quite why they should be doing so, she could not understand.
Then, his hand lifted and settled on hers and instantly, something shot through her that made every hair on her head seem to stand on end.
Florentina pulled her hand away quickly and stepped back, her breath hitching.
The Duke smiled and, for the very first time, Florentina saw a gentleness there. She could not understand why he was looking at her so, why he should hold such an expression towards her and that confusion made her heart quicken all the more.
“Your Grace, good evening!”
A loud, exuberant voice broke the moment between Florentina and the Duke and she turned to see none other than Lady Dinah standing there, her eyes fixed to the Duke, her expression warm… until she turned her gaze to Florentina. Then, a coldness swept into her eyes, and Florentina shivered lightly, slightly perturbed by the clear disdain Lady Dinah held for her.
“Good evening, Lady Dinah.” The Duke bowed low and Lady Dinah’s bright smile returned, and something sharp stabbed into Florentina’s heart. “Howverygood it is to see you this evening.”
Lady Dinah let out a small, contented sigh, flashing a look towards Florentina that she did not understand. “Thank you for such kind words, Your Grace. I am quite overwhelmed, truly!” She lifted one hand, seemingly to brush a stray hair back behind her ear but Florentina noticed the way that the dance card attached to her wrist fluttered.
The pain in her heart grew all the more.
“You appeared to be in deep conversation with Lady Florentina and I did not want to interrupt, of course, but if I did not stop to bid you good evening, then I feared you would be lost in the crowd.” Lady Dinah tilted her head just a little, a lightness in her voice. “A very deep conversation, I must say.”
The Duke laughed, though to Florentina’s ears, the sound felt forced and harsh. “Not at all, Lady Dinah. We have nothing of seriousness to speak of, do we, Lady Florentina?” He laughed again, not giving her time to answer. “We speak only of dancing, that is all!”
“Do you?” Lady Dinah’s eyes rounded. “I have not seen you dance at all this Season, Your Grace. Am I to understand that you are to be dancing this evening?”
This made the Duke pause though Florentina, for some inexplicable reason, nodded quickly, then slipped her own dance card from her wrist. “That is quite so, Lady Dinah. The Duke had just asked if I was free to dance the waltz with him and, much to his delight, I have just granted my permission.”
The Duke blinked, a slight lift to his eyebrows and Florentina, unable to explain why she had said such a thing, lifted her chin just a little and then forced a smile to her lips just as Lady Dinah frowned. Perhaps it was Lady Dinah’s tone and clear dislike of her that had made her say such a thing but nonetheless, Florentina felt a sense of triumph within her heart. With that same smile lingering there, she sent another look to the Duke who, upon catching her eye, nodded and held out one hand to her.
