Page 12 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
A tall gentleman, hooded, and dressed in black, walked towards them. He held a long black scepter, jeweled with a large red stone at the handle. Emmeline almost dropped the punch goblet.
“Is there something stronger?” Emmeline’s voice was hoarse.
“Whatever is the matter, Em?” Ann demanded, then she caught sight of the gentleman walking towards them.
“I told you I would be in trouble if someone thought to dress as Hades!” Emmeline snapped.
“Calm yourself,” Ann said soothingly. “It will all be good fun.”
“Good evening, ladies,” the gentleman said.
Emmeline’s heart skipped a beat, but she controlled herself, “Good evening, Your Grace.”
Her mouth went a bit dry as Noah drew back his black hood, and placed his jeweled scepter in front of him. His clothes, black breeches, midnight shirt, and coal waistcoat with interlaced threads of blood red, seemed to suck in the light like a spirit from the true abyss. Emmeline barely heard Ann make her pleasantries.
The Duke’s eyes hadn’t left Emmeline’s face although he talked to her friend, which surprised her. She had gotten quite used to gentlemen giving Ann more attention.
“I must say you gave us quite a start, Your Grace,” Emmeline breathed, “Your costume is quite… sinister.”
“Did you wish to be Hades, Your Grace, or is it a matter of coincidence?” put in Ann.
“I admit to the second guess, Miss Benwick,” the Duke admitted. “My valet did not find a devil’s costume, for I believe that would have suited me more, wouldn’t you say, Lady Emmeline?”
Emmeline could not hold back her smile, “I believe so, Your Grace. You do have the wicked attitude of Old Nick down to a science.”
“I find it very fitting,” Ann said innocently. “Just as it is fitting for the two of you to be wearing costumes that are a historic match. Perhaps you should dance with her, Your Grace.”
Emmeline glared at her friend, whom, in turn, gave her an angelic smile.
The Duke noticed the exchange but only smiled. “I was going to ask her in spite of your suggestion, Miss Benwick. May I have the honor, Lady Emmeline?”
Emmeline swallowed. “Of course, but perhaps we should inform my aunt?”
“I have already asked her, My Lady,” the Duke informed her stately while holding out his hand.
Emmeline placed her hand into his, feeling breathless and invigorated at the same time. The Duke was ludicrously wonderful at dancing. He led her through the music, and she followed his silent instructions without a qualm, losing all her nervousness.
“You are quite silent this time, Lady Emmeline,” he remarked.
Emmeline had been avoiding looking at him, for the warmth in his eyes was a contrast to the mischief they usually held, and his unnerving look was evoking strange fluttery sensations inside of her.
“I am not generally a talkative person, Your Grace,” she informed him, “despite the heated riposte.”
His eyes gleamed, and Emmeline’s breath stuck in her chest.Dear Lord, he is handsome!
“Where is your fan, or pebble-loaded reticule now, My Lady?” he teased.
Emmeline smiled, remembering their conversation in the library and grateful that he had left out their meeting at Vauxhall. “I have left both behind, Your Grace.”
“Then how would you react if I make an inappropriate comment or gesture?” he asked, deep gray eyes lit with humor.
“I would stomp off and leave you gaping on the dance floor,” she replied while impishly elevating her nose.
The Duke laughed, his voice a deep rich timbre. “I am afraid I will not allow you to do that, Persephone. It will also do you well to remember that it was I who abducted you, not the reverse.”
Emmeline sighed dramatically. “I warned Ann that if someone who decided to be dressed as Hades was here at the ball, I would be in trouble.”
“Trouble is necessary sometimes,” he said.
