Page 34 of A Chance to Dance with the Duke
“Yes, well, the point is, Miss Ann is a dear friend to your Miss Taylor,” Kal said to Carver. “So perhaps we should askherabout Miss Taylor’s whereabouts this evening.”
Albright cut in. “That won’t be necessary.” He nodded toward the doorway. “There she is now.”
Carver was already grinning as he turned, excitement and anticipation making his heart surge up to his throat, as he prepared to head in that direction, until?—
He stopped.
“What’s this?” Kal murmured, amusement tingeing his low voice.
“Seems your plan is working already,” Rodrick said.
And yes. He too sounded amused.
His blasted friends were laughing at him, but Carver could only stand there and watch as a young gentleman fawned overhisMeg.
“Who is that?” he demanded.
Meg had her arm linked through his and was smiling at something he said as the other man led her into the room, walking at a snail’s pace, and bending over her slightly as though he were taking care of her or…
Oh blast.
As though he weredotingon her.
“Who is he?” Carver asked again, turning his scowl on his friends. “I don’t recognize him.”
“Mmm, I’ve met him before,” Kal said. His expression was thoughtful as he followed Carver’s stare. “Mr. Everson, I believe. He’s a close friend to the Earl of Marlin.”
For some reason this information irked Carver.
He liked the Earl of Marlin. The fellow was engaged to Meg’s quiet friend Jane, and older than he and Kal by nearly a decade. But he was a distant relative of Kal’s, and despite the shared dryhumor and sharp, sometimes stinging wit, he was, at heart, a decent fellow, by all accounts.
And it stood to reason that he kept decent friends. Which meant…
He swallowed hard as he heard Meg’s laughter, soft and sweet, but it cut through the chatter of the crowd as surely as a bell.
“I’d heard Everson’s in the market for a wife,” Kal added.
Carver’s entire body seemed to heat and freeze at once as he watched Meg smile up at the young man. Without thinking about what he’d say or what he meant to do, he took a step toward them.
Albright’s hand on his shoulder had him turning to face his friend. He gave a quick shake of his head. “Leave her be.”
Carver’s brows drew down and he went to protest, but this time it was Kal who interrupted with a quiet, “This was what you wanted, if you’ll recall.”
He opened his mouth and then shut it again promptly. Was it? No. It was never what he’d wanted. He wanted Meg to choosehim.
“Options,” Albright added. “You’re giving the girl options.”
Blast.
His protests died as his shoulders sagged.
This time it was Kal who clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not easy being a noble hero, is it?”
“What would you know about being a hero?” he shot back.
“Nothing. Obviously. But should I ever wish to win a woman’s heart, I’m taking notes…” Kal said. “Of what not to do.”
Carver ignored the others’ laughter. His gaze followed Meg, who hadn’t even seemed to notice his presence as she let the dandy with the smarmy smile lead her toward the parlor, still hovering over her like she was an elderly aunt or an invalid who couldn’t stand on her own.
