Page 35 of A Chance to Dance with the Duke
Was it his imagination or was her smile growing strained as Mr. Everson led her from one cluster of friends to another. All the while he was bent over her, making it clear she was the center of his attention.
Carver scrubbed the back of his neck. A hero, Kal had called him.
He’d spent years trying to be just that. A good man. The sort of gentleman his peers looked up to. He’d wanted to change the reputation of his family’s title. From cruel to kind. From bad to…well, good.
But being good?
It felt very, very bad.
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Meg sighed wearily as she sank into a seat between Jane and Felicity.
“Well, if it isn’t the belle of the ball,” Felicity teased.
Meg smiled, but she had a suspicion the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, because it was met with matching frowns.
“Is something the matter?” Jane asked.
“Did that Mr. Everson insult you?” Felicity added.
When Meg didn’t reply quickly enough, Felicity leaned forward to address Jane. “Mr. Everson’s a friend of your fiancé, is he not?”
“I…believe so.” Jane sounded far from certain.
“Is he a kind man?” Felicity persisted.
“How should I know?” Jane’s tone was cynical, and so at odds with her sweet voice, it made Meg wince. “I’m barely acquainted with my fiancé, let alone his friends.”
“Fair point.” Felicity turned back to Meg with a scowl. “If he hurt your feelings, or?—”
“No, he did nothing of the sort,” Meg said quickly. “He was perfectly…fine.”
And he was.
Fine.
Just…fine.
She tried for a more cheerful smile, but her cheeks still ached from forced smiles while talking to the perfectly fine Mr. Everson.
He’d gone to fetch her punch, and she rather hoped he’d gotten lost in the crowd and couldn’t find his way back.
Which was churlish of her. He’d done nothing wrong. He’d been pleasant in the extreme. Asking after her health, her family. She let out a sigh as weariness swept over her.
Oh, drat. What was wrong with her?
It was the most pleasant exchange she’d had with an eligible young gentleman since…since…
Her mind’s eye filled with the image of Ian smiling down at her as they walked along the river.
She swallowed hard.
No. No, no, no.
It would not do to go confusing Ian with a true suitor. He wasn’t in earnest with his courtship. But Mr. Everson…
She glanced over and caught Mr. Everson heading her way, his hands full of refreshments.
