Page 15 of A Chance to Dance with the Duke
“Miss Taylor, please?—”
She wrenched her arm from his grasp. This time she didn’t bother trying to make her excuses. She didn’t even stop to think how it might look to the crowd as she lurched forward toward the stairs.
“Meg, wait,” Ann called behind her.
Meg felt a pang of guilt. Ann had enough issues of her own in the marriage mart. The last thing she needed was to be dragged down further by Meg’s scandal. So Meg halted long enough to turn and face her breathless friend.
“I’m c-coming with you.” Ann’s chin was set and her green eyes sparkled with anger.
Meg reached for her friend’s hand. “Would you do me a favor?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Will you tell my mother I’m not feeling well and am in need of the carriage?”
Ann’s brows came down. “I’m not leaving you alone at a time like this?—”
“Miss Taylor.” Carver’s voice was right behind them, and Ann’s eyes widened. Meg refused to look at the Duke who hovered just behind Ann, awaiting a word.
Instead, Meg forced a smile for her friend. “I’ll be fine. I just…please, Ann. Please do this for me.”
Ann wavered, her hesitation clear as she looked over her shoulder to the Duke and then back to Meg.
“We’re in the midst of a crowd,” Meg murmured. “There is little he can do to harm me here.”
Carver’s sharp inhale was loud enough for her to hear. Loud enough to make it clear that he’d heard her say that.
Had she insulted his honor then?
What a pity.
“Go, Ann. Please.” Her smile was so strained, she had a feeling it looked more like a grimace. “I know it’s cowardly, but?—”
“It’s not cowardly.” Ann’s tone was filled with ire as she glared over her shoulder at the Duke. “Youare not the coward here, Meg.”
The Duke’s jaw clenched tight. Had Ann offended him with that jab?
Again…
What a pity.
Meg felt a hysterical laugh bubbling up, that was terrifyingly similar to the feel of a sob swelling in her chest. She wasn’t sure which would escape if she opened her mouth.
She nudged her friend’s arm and whispered. “Go. Please.”
Ann sighed. “All right. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.”
Meg nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
The moment Ann walked away, back toward the Turners’ home, Meg turned as well.
“Miss Taylor, please…”
She didn't wait to hear what Carver said next. The stairs were awash with a warm glow, thanks to the well-placed lanterns. And she heard laughter and chatter coming from the lower level, where the ground-floor veranda stretched all the way to a large circular fountain, and to the gardens beyond.
Her breathing grew ragged, and for what must have been the tenth time today alone, she cursed her weak leg as she clutched the railing on the way down the steps.
Even moving as quickly as she was able, the Duke with his irritatingly long, lean, and no-doubt healthy legs easily kept pace beside her.
