Page 25 of Ironvine

The squall in the sea inside him churned and grew into a veritable gale. A fierce thunderstorm of thick black clouds fulminated directly overhead, rumbled, threatened.

Imminent doom.

A handsome, striking man, the Duke of Oakley was over a decade older than his wife, although you would never guess by looking at him. Unlike many of his peers, His Grace was fit, hardy, and robust. And like many of his peers, he was a commanding, imperious sort.

The Duchess, who was but a few years older than Hugh, was an elegant specimen of womanhood. Tastefully dressed and adorned with diamonds at her ears and a double strand of long pearls and diamonds flecked with rubies at her neck, she was every inch the grand noblewoman amongst them. She could have been wearing the plainest of muslins and a straw hat, and yet you would know that she was of noble birth.

The music came to a rousing finish. The dancers applauded loudly, their enthusiasm filling the room. His head ached with the noise. Georgina, her eyes shining, her cheeks flushed, hands clasped before her, spoke with the Duchess. Hugh gulped at his wine.

Oakley turned and caught Hugh’s eye. He lifted his chin, a slight smile on those chiseled lips of his. The hairs on the back of Charles’s neck stood at attention. Hugh acknowledged the greeting with a discreet bow of his head, and a cold potion seeped through Charles’s veins.

Oakley guided Georgina from the dance floor as they spoke. Behind them, his wife conversed with Georgina’s brother-in-law.

Charles’s instincts never let him down. They twisted and churned inside him now, blaring. “You haven’t truly broken with her, have you? You got his approval for Georgina, is that it?”

Hugh did not reply. He only drained his glass.

“Why? Have you already planned the virgin sacrifice?”

“No sacrifice.” He swiped at his lip. “A feast.”

“You must find another,” he said through gritted teeth.

His brother met his gaze. “I don’t want another. She’s perfect.”

“You must.” Charles leaned in closer to his brother, a hand at his broad chest. “Do this for me.”

Hugh shoved his hand away. “I will not.”

“Please, Hugh. You’ve put her in a risky position this evening with all the lavish attention you’ve bestowed on her.”

“Miss Georgina has deeply enjoyed my brand of lavish, or haven’t you noticed?”

“We’ve all noticed. But her family has arranged to formally engage her tomorrow.”

He stilled. “Tomorrow?”

“That’s what she told me.”

“I shall act quickly then. Nothing shall get in the way of my plans for her.”

ChapterNine

Georgina

She and Hugh danced a third,then a fourth. It was most reckless of them, and with each step they took on the floor, she could feel her pulse beat in time with the music, with the stunned gawking of everyone. Destiny herself gawked.

With each step and turn, she and the Earl of Ryvves declared themselves to the world and they both knew it.

She declared her independence from her family and their plans for her.

Her feet flew over the polished floor. Somewhere down the line, she noticed Matthew who, when she caught his gaze, only glared at her coldly. Next to him, her brother’s face was drawn as he danced with their sister. And Philippa’s small mouth was now unusually pursed ever so tightly, giving her the look of a perpetually irritated fishwife. Discontent and reproach in one.

John and Sir Reginald, although engaged in conversation with a number of other gentlemen as they enjoyed their wine, seemed stony-faced.

She was making her point.

Her chest puffed up as she took the turn to her left. She re-connected with Hugh in the center, where he met her with a smile, her hand slipping easily into his. All eyes were on them.

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