Page 37 of A Chance to Dance with the Duke
And that was nothing compared to how rattled she felt when her gaze actually met the young duke’s.
Ian was giving her that small smile. The one that always made her feel as though they were in on some sort of secret together.
Because we are, she reminded herself.The secret is that he doesn’t actually fancy you, you nincompoop.
But while reason spoke loudly and clearly in her mind, her heart was louder and more insistent. It had her reaching out to meet his outstretched hand.
It had her allowing him to help her to her feet, even though she knew without looking that her friends and that nice Mr. Everson were watching her every move.
Ian tore his gaze from hers, and she took a deep breath as reality returned…but only for a heartbeat.
“Would you mind terribly if I steal your friend for a moment?”
He was speaking to Felicity and Jane.
He was pointedly ignoring Mr. Everson.
It was…almost rude. And for some reason this made her want to laugh. He couldn’t possibly be jealous. Of course not.
But for a moment, when Ian turned his gaze to the other man and arched his brows as if in challenge?—
It certainly seemed that way.
All Meg could make out past her racing heart was the sound of murmured approvals all around.
Meg bit her lip, hiding a smile as he led her through the crush, toward the veranda. He kept his chin held high, and her hand tucked into his arm. If he noticed the stares, he didn’t let on.
Only when they’d ventured outside, and Meg took in a long, refreshing breath of fresh air, did she finally give in to the urge to laugh.
“What’s so amusing?” Ian asked. But his lips were already twitching up into a grin.
She shook her head, keenly aware of the other guests around them. Of the fact that they were already garnering stares.
They were hardly alone, and there was nothing improper about standing here talking, but it was becoming far too easy to forget herself when Ian was around.
“What is it?” he said again. “Don’t leave me out of the joke.”
“It’s only…” She let out a loud exhale and shook her head. “I was just thinking that you’re overdoing it, aren’t you?”
His smile faded. “Am I?”
Her lips trembled. Suddenly it felt unsporting to be laughing. “It’s just…you almost seemed…jealous.”
She clamped her lips shut.
Be quiet, you silly ninny!
Before she could look away, he stopped her. “I was.”
She blinked up at him. “Pardon?”
He cleared his throat, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Iwasjealous.”
“Oh.” That was it. That was all she could think, and all she could say.
Oh.
But why? Since when? What for?
