Page 6 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
She smirked. “You already did that when you pulled me out here.”
“I promise you that you will enjoy it,” he said, and she couldn’t help but be captivated by his allure.
The gentle sway of his movements, the grace with which he dominated the dance area, and the subtle, mischievous charm that emanated from his every word, his every gesture, all seemed to contribute to an irresistible appeal.
“We shall see about that,” she replied, fighting the urge to smile again.
His eyes, sparkling with a hint of mischief, met her gaze with a warmth she didn’t expect. The magnetic pull was beyond description. The more they danced, the more she felt herself drawn to him, captivated by the intangible quality that made the duke so uniquely handsome.
Despite the initial reservation caused by her slight limp, she gracefully navigated the dance floor with confidence. The music provided the perfect backdrop for her to showcase not only her elegant movements but also her ability to transcend the physical challenges she faced.
She could not have imagined him to be such an attentive dancing partner, but he was. He guided her with a gentle touch, and she could see in his eyes that he appreciated the subtle strength and determination she exuded. As they moved in harmony with the music, a radiant smile adorned her face, reflecting her joy at that moment.
A newfound pride rose inside of her. Her steps were fueled by the triumph of overcoming her own insecurities. She had already managed to do that before, but it seemed she had to do it all over again, this time in front of him. The dance had become a testament to her resilience, transforming a potential source of discomfort into a moment of sheer enjoyment.
“You dance beautifully,” he said as she swirled back into his arms, facing him again.
“Did that surprise you?” she asked him boldly.
There was a flicker of shock and surprise in his eyes. “Not in the least bit,” she heard him reply. Once again, she fought off a smile and instead remained serious.
“Then, you are not a man easily surprised?” she wondered.
“Not in the least bit,” he echoed, and this time, they both smiled. It was impossible not to do so. “I know what to expect. When you are in possession of that knowledge, few things can surprise you.”
She had to admit that he was right. Her own life had been a series of surprises, which had left her where she was now, destitute and despairing. But she refused to give up. She refused to succumb to this feeling of helplessness. Her life had never been under her control until now. Only now, she had to rectify the mistakes of other people, which had left her in these dire circumstances.
The final strains of the music floated into the air as the dance came to an end. Alexander, still holding Anna’s hand in the last lingering moments, gazed at her. She had no idea the meaning behind this, but she acknowledged it.
As the last notes faded away into oblivion, he guided her back to the vicinity of Lady Pentor. The sensation of their dance lingered on, leaving her with a heightened awareness of the magnetic pull that had woven its way between them while they were dancing.
Lady Pentor, ever the observant hostess, greeted them with a knowing smile. “Goodness me, you two looked breathtaking out there!” Her eyes flitted between Alexander and Anna as she spoke. Anna wondered if this keen lady could sense the same thing she could—a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a sign that something had been unraveling.
“If you will excuse me, ladies,” Alexander said, bowing before them, much to Anna’s disappointment. Although she knew very well that he could not spend the entire evening with her. She watched him disappear in the crowd of other people as the echo of their shared dance lingered in the air.
She hoped it would be a prelude to the unfolding chapters of a story she was yet to read.
Chapter 4
Alexander sought refuge from prying eyes in a secluded corner of the ballroom, where he was able to reflect on the unexpected passion that had stirred within him during the dance with Anna.
Her graceful movements, her sharp intellect, and her quick wit had ignited a spark within him, a flame of desire that burned with an intensity he had not anticipated. Her captivating smile, the way she moved with such refined grace despite her slight limp only seemed to fuel his curiosity about her even more.
He tried to keep to himself, not to search for her face in the crowd of other nameless and faceless people, but it was impossible not to think about her. His fingers absentmindedly traced the rim of his glass as he considered the implications of what had just transpired. For Anna was no ordinary lady. She was the widow of Lord Ravenscroft, and that made all the difference.
No matter how hard he tried not to delve into that, it was impossible not to ponder the financial matters at hand. The Ravenscroft estate owed him a substantial sum, won in a fateful night of gambling against several other gentlemen, among whom was Anna’s late husband. The land titles and coins won during that game remained uncollected still, a weight on Alexanders conscience that he had not been able to shake.
As he stared at the people before him, looking through them and not at them, his mind brought back the numbers of Lord Ravenscroft’s outstanding debts. The dance with Anna had ignited a flame of desire within him, but it had at the same time stirred a moral dilemma. A connection had undeniable been established, and now, the financial ties between their two families loomed large.
Alexander took a sip, and just as he did so, someone’s hand patted him on the back a little too heartily, almost making him spill his drink.
“Alexander, old boy!”
He turned around only to lock eyes with one of his acquaintances, a young man by the name John Willoughby, yet another debtor in Alexander’s endless list.
“John,.” Alexander nodded cordially, without much desire for the usual small talk that was a necessity during balls.
“Splendid evening, is it not?” John grinned, and by the redness of his cheeks, Alexander could conclude that the man had already partaken in a few drinks, and perhaps a few card games. His grin further proved delight, which hinted at wins.
