Page 55 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“I thought we would start with a waltz,” she announced.

“That will be just fine,” Elizabeth said.

“Can you play us a waltz, please?” Beatrice asked.

“Of course, Your Grace,” the musician replied.

“Who am I to dance with?” Elizabeth asked.

“Me,” Beatrice replied. “I shall do my best to lead.”

Elizabeth found it funny to dance with another woman, and they both looked ridiculous in their dresses, with Beatrice doing her best to act like a man.

The musician began to play, and Beatrice led the dance. She had no experience in leading, but she had danced with many men at balls, and she tried to remember how they had led the dances. It translated reasonably well, though she did almost trip over her feet at some point. Elizabeth giggled when she did.

On the whole, though, Beatrice felt that she did well. She was even able to stop at one point to correct the position of Elizabeth’s hand. When they were done, loud clapping came from the door.

Beatrice looked over and smiled when she saw the Duke standing there. She turned back and took Elizabeth’s hand, and then both of them curtseyed politely.

“One of the finest dances I have ever witnessed,” Edwin praised.

“Did you watch it all?” Beatrice asked.

“I did, indeed,” he replied. “Including when you almost somersaulted.”

Beatrice smiled again.

“My favorite dance was always the quadrille. It is done with more people, of course, but it can still be done with a couple.” The Duke stepped toward the middle of the dance floor with an outstretched hand. “You did extremely well, but my sister should see how a dance goes with a man leading.”

“Go on,” Beatrice urged.

“I was speaking about dancing with you, Beatrice. Perhaps Elizabeth can sit this one out and watch.”

Beatrice found herself stepping forward before she could say anything. The thought of dancing with her husband made her stomach flutter. They had not had time to make love again, and it would be the closest they would get to touching each other since then.

Beatrice took the Duke’s hand, and he pulled her closer to him, taking her waist. He gestured for the musician to start playing. Beatrice let out an excited gasp and quickly put her hand on his shoulder.

They moved backward and forward, turning together and holding hands for the Allemande. When they faced each other, the Duke made sure to hold her closer to him than was usually acceptable.

Beatrice knew she should have put some distance between them, especially when Elizabeth was watching and might repeat the intimacy at a ball, but she did not want to halt the dance. She could tell her it was inappropriate later and pass it off as a dance between a married couple.

She looked into his emerald eyes, and all her thoughts drifted to how he could make her feel with his hands. Holding his hand or having his hand on her waist was one thing, but having his hands all over her naked body was another entirely.

Since they had to leave the house to avoid learning to paint, there had been unfinished business. The Duke might have pleasured her multiple times over one night, but it was not enough.

Beatrice needed more and more and more.

It would be another thing that would take her mind off the new scandal.

Dancing with the Duke was a good distraction, but it was becoming too much of a distraction. Her eyes flicked to his lips, and she wanted to kiss him as they flowed around the room like water, but she would have to wait. The Duke smirked as if he could read her mind.

He spun her, and she let out another happy gasp. When he pulled her back in, she started giggling, and when he ditched the conventional steps and danced his own dance, she giggled even more. By the time the music came to an end, Beatrice felt on top of the world.

Clapping came from the door again, but it was from Elizabeth this time.

“That was wonderful!” she gushed. “My goodness! If I am to dance with a man like that at a ball, then I will be as joyous as I could be. The way the two of you moved around the room was magical. When did you have the time to practice your dancing? I have not heard music in the manor.”

“Perhaps we are naturally talented,” Edwin suggested.

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