Page 62 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
“I’m hoping your next dance is open,” he said.
“It just so happens that it is. Shall we be off?” She took a step for the doorway, and he placed his hand on her arm, staying her actions.
“Let’s dance up here. It’s less crowded.”
“It’ll draw attention.”
“I like attention.”
“Are you trying to make someone jealous?”
He lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “Wouldn’tyoulike to?”
Swallowing hard, she squeezed her hands together. “I’m certain I don’t know what you’re trying to imply.”
“I saw Ashe take you into the garden. I also know that the ladies aren’t going to let him be, and he’s too polite to turn them all away. Can’t be fun watching him dance.”
“They don’t usually let you be.”
“ ’Tis true. I have only the next dance.” He held out his gloved hand. “So shall we?”
“I suppose there’s no harm in it. Perhaps we’ll start a new tradition.”
The music for a waltz started up. She expected him to take advantage, to hold her more closely than necessary, but he kept the appropriate distance between them.
“He likes you,” Edward said.
“Pardon?”
“Ashe. He likes you.”
“Because he took me on a walk in the garden?”
“Because he looks at you as though you matter. I’ve seen him with a lot of women. We both tend to use them as distractions.” He shook his head. “Won’t go into that. He doesn’t see you that way. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we got here. Even now, he’s watching.”
She fought not to look out over the balcony to verify that he was.
“It might not look like he is, but he is aware of everything. It’s the reason he’s so dashed good at taking photographs.”
“Have you posed for him?”
“On numerous occasions.” He glanced around before leaning in, and whispering, “Once I posed nude.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I think you’re embellishing.”
“Well, I was nude beneath my clothes.”
She laughed. “You’re awful.”
He smiled broadly. “Well, I am that. And our dance has come to an end.”
Only then was she aware of the strains floating away.
He took her hand, kissed the back of her knuckles. “Thank you for the waltz, Miss Dodger.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He released his hold, took a step away, turned back, his eyes somber. “He’s a good man. Don’t hold it against him because he’s my friend.”
