Page 41 of The Penitent Duke
Lucian’s heart quickened, the thought of standing up in church and making his vows to her bringing such a joy to him as he had never truly experienced before. “Then we ignore the warnings?”
“I must be a good deal more careful, mayhap, as you ought to be,” she continued, with a shrug, “but without a name, I cannot see how we are to go about finding this gentleman.”
Lord Radcliffe nodded. “It is much too difficult, I concur. But you must both be on your guard, then. I do confess that I fear for you.”
Lucian nodded, coming a little closer to Lady Rosalind, his arm going around her waist though it was not expected for a gentleman to behave in such a way in society, not even with his betrothed. The urge to protect herwas strong, making him eager to be as near to her as he could, for as long as he could.
“Should you like to dance?” he asked, seeing the light smile spread across Lady Rosalind’s face. “The waltz, mayhap?”
Her smile grew all the more. “We did dance it very well last time, did we not?” she asked, softly. “I enjoyed it very much.”
“Then you will dance with me?”
She nodded. “Of course I will.”
“But you must dance with me first, of course,” Lord Radcliffe interrupted, with a grin. “The country dance? It is coming next, I am sure.”
Lady Rosalind laughed. “Yes, I shall accept you, Lord Radcliffe, though I am sure that you request such a thing only because you wish to be near Lady Eleanor also?”
The gentleman chuckled but did not deny it and Lucian, a little frustrated that his dance would have to wait, was forced to watch as Lord Radcliffe and Lady Rosalind walked towards the dance floor. The look she sent him over her shoulder, however, was enough to lift his spirits and Lucian smiled back at her, seeing the glow in her eyes and feeling the very same warmth in his heart.
Whatever was growing between Lady Rosalind and himself, it was as though he could not have enough of her company, enough of being near her. Now that she had stepped away from him, he felt his loss keenly – even though it would only be for a short time.
Letting out a breath, Lucian leaned back against the wall of the ballroom, folded his arms and let his smile linger. This was a new sensation, a new depth to his connection with the lady and, in his heart, Lucian felt himself happy for the first time in years.
And it was all thanks to her.
***
“Have you seen Lady Rosalind?”
Lady Eleanor and Lord Radcliffe frowned as one, turning to Lucian as he hurried to them. “No, we have not. She was dancing only a moment ago but –”
“And I thought she would come directly, given that the waltz is next but I have lost her in the crowd,” Lucian interrupted, his whole body tight with tension. “Where did she go?”
Lady Eleanor’s eyes flared wide. “Wait, do you think that –”
Lucian nodded, interrupting her before she could even finish her question. “Yes, Lady Eleanor. I fear that something more has happened,something that both she and I were warned against.” Swallowing at the knot in his throat, he looked about him again, growing a little more afraid with every moment. “Imustfind her.” Looking back at Lady Eleanor and Lord Radcliffe, he took a step closer. “Will you help me?”
“Of course! You need not even ask.” Lord Radcliffe put one hand on Lucian’s shoulder. “It may be that she has simply gone to the powder room and all will be well.”
Lucian nodded, tried to accept this but something deep within him told him that Lady Rosalind was, once more, caught up by this dark and mysterious foe, whoever he was.
And he had no way of knowing where she was.
Chapter Eighteen
“I must just find something to drink. Thank you for the dance.” Rosalind dropped into a curtsy and then stepped away, her heart filled with excitement as she thought about the next dance, the one where she would again be in the Duke’s arms. There was something so different about him now, something that gave her both a hope for the futureandfor the happiness that could be theirs, should he continue to change as he had been. For the first time, Rosalind wholeheartedly believed that he could. A tingling ran up her arms as she thought about dancing with him, knowing that he would pull her close, that his hand would be about her waist. That was something she eagerly desired now, something that she truly longed for. It had been a slow growing desire but it was there in force now, an urge to be as close to the Duke as she could be.
The ballroom was hot and crowded and, knowing there was some relief to be found in the hallway, Rosalind stepped out for only a few moments, aware that she would soon have to find the Duke. Thetonhad certainly stopped eyeing her with that clear eagerness to gossip about all she said and did – helped by the fact that a lady of society had done something truly dreadful and was now being whispered about – and that came as something of a relief. Taking a glass from a passing footman, Rosalind made to turn back to go into the room, only for a voice to catch her attention.
“Lady Rosalind! Good evening. I was hopeful I might see you this evening.”
Turning, Rosalind smiled as Lord Westlake came out from one of the rooms to greet her. “Good evening, Lord Westlake.” She made her way towards him. “Have you been playing cards?”
The gentleman chuckled. “Something like that. Are you alone?”
A slight heat washed over Rosalind’s cheeks. “Yes, I am. I ought not to be, of course, but there does come a slight freedom with being engaged to a Duke! I am to dance the waltz with him next, however, so I must return to the ballroom.”
