Page 40 of She Tempts the Duke
“Lady Hermione extended the invitation for tonight.”
“You deny that you had anything at all to do with his presence? That your meeting in the park was merely coincidence and not an attempt to lure him here?”
He’d heard? Of course he had. There was not an action taken in all of London that was not commented on—repeatedly. “I was there as a favor to Lady Hermione.”
“She wanted him here?”
“She wanted Lord Tristan here. But I knew he would only come if Keswick came.”
“You also no doubt have more sway over the duke than over his brother.”
“We were childhood friends. You know that. You also know that it is imperative he be seen at these functions in order to be accepted.”
“I still fail to see why you should care.”
“Because of our friendship. I would share the same concerns for any friend. Lady or gent.”
Taking her in his arms, holding her gaze, he swept her over the dance floor. “Never forget that you belong to me.”
Her eyes widened at that. “You’ve never been quite so possessive.”
“My apologies. I have a bit of a jealous streak, especially where you are concerned. I fear it does not flatter me.”
“And a competitive one. I suspect you didn’t fancy losing your money in the game room.”
“My only consolation is that I was not the only one. These brothers are hardly typical lords.”
“But then they’ve hardly had a typical upbringing or experiences.”
“Your heart is too soft, Mary. Take care or you might find it bruised.”
His warning came just a tad too late, because her heart was already aching for Sebastian and wondering how she could make him more comfortable with his surroundings. Life had thrown many an obstacle his way. It seemed it was not yet done.
Chapter 12
Sebastian reluctantly admitted that he wished Mary weren’t smiling quite so brightly as Fitzwilliam expertly twirled her over the dance floor. What a selfish bastard he was. Her relationship with Fitzwilliam was not a threat to their long-standing friendship.
“Lovely, isn’t she?”
Sebastian heard the soft voice on his left, and damned the woman for coming up on his blind side. How long had she been standing there observing him? It was difficult to hold back his irritation when he swung his head around to get a good view of whomever the deuce she was. Then regretted his irritation. “Lady Ivers.” He took her gloved hand, bowed over it, and kissed the tips of her fingers.
The countess blushed. “Why do you waste your charms on an old woman such as me? Why are you not out on the dance floor?”
“You are not so old.”
“Balderdash.” She turned her attention back to the crowded ballroom. While he wanted to do the same, if he did he would lose sight of her. “You avoided my question.”
“I have not danced in a good many years.”
“It is not something one forgets. They make an interesting couple, do they not? My niece and Fitzwilliam?”
He thought hers was a telling choice of words. “Do you not approve?”
“I donotdisapprove. Yet I watched the two of you during dinner the other night. There is something between you.”
“Friendship,” he said much too quickly.
“It makes for a good foundation for a marriage.”
