Page 109 of She Tempts the Duke
His tone was light and teasing and it lifted her spirits.
He extended his arm. “Shall we?”
She wound her arm through his. “Your arm has healed?”
“Almost completely,” he said as they descended the stairs. “A few twinges here and there.”
“I thought we might have your brothers here for Christmas.”
“I would like that. Perhaps while they are here we shall have a portrait done.”
“I am not having a portrait done with Tristan.”
“I want one of you and me,” he said quietly. “And one of my brothers. They will not be us as boys. Those portraits are gone forever I fear, but Tristan has heard of a rather good artist who goes by the name of Leo. Word is that he has a talent for capturing on canvas a person’s heart. Perhaps he can portray me with kindness.”
“If he is half as good as claimed, and he sees what I see, I believe you will be most pleased.”
They reached the foyer and he escorted her down a hallway.
“This is not the way to the dining room,” she pointed out.
“I’m quite familiar with the layout of the residence.”
“Then why would you take a wrong turn?”
“Not a wrong turn. I have something in mind before dinner.”
He approached a set of double doors guarded by two liveried footmen. It led into the largest salon in the residence, where grand balls had once been held.
“Sebastian—”
“Shh.”
The footman opened the doors. When Mary and Sebastian stepped through, music began to play. Her eyes widened at the sight. A small orchestra sat in the balcony. A half dozen chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Every candle in every one was flickering. There had to have been over a hundred. The room was alight as no other in the residence had ever been. A mirrored wall reflected the polished floor and the flowers arranged around the outer edges. Nothing else was in the room. No furniture.
“Will you honor me with a dance, Mary Easton, Duchess of Keswick?”
Tears stung her eyes, but before she could answer he was sweeping her over the dance floor.
“However did you manage this?”
“With a good deal of help from my brothers and your father. The orchestra traveled from London and stayed with him until I was ready for them.”
“I love waltzing with you,” she told him. He was a marvelous dancer when he had the room in which to move.
“I thought if we practiced, by next Season I might not make such a mess of it.”
“We don’t have to go to London. We can stay here if you prefer.”
“I will have a seat in the House of Lords. I cannot shirk my responsibilities. Besides, my wife once told me that she loves the glitz and glitter that is London.”
He swirled her from one side of the room to the other. She caught their reflection and thought she’d never seen a happier couple.
“And the timing will work out well,” he continued. “I’m having this residence razed come spring.”
He had mentioned doing so before but she’d thought it was only the emotion of the moment. “I told you it’s not necessary.”
The final strains of the melody faded and another began before they could even take a breath.
