Page 47 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

“The anticipation of our dance will be rewarding enough, I hope.”

Not bad for a jilted wallflower,Diana had to admit to herself as Lord Hexter led her to the middle of the ballroom. He was a poised and good dancer, but his movements lacked the same thing his conversation did—interest. He was…safe.

At least Lord Sherton was more entertaining. He danced confidently, and he pulled her close, teasing the bounds of propriety. He seemed thrilled and emboldened to see her not shocked but amused by his attention.

“Lady Diana, you have brought upon me the envy of every man here.”

“Is that so?”

“How can it be any other way? I am holding the most beautiful lady here.”

How transparently flirtatious, but Diana found herself amused rather than annoyed.

“So, you are under the impression that every gentleman is desperate for my attention?”

“I know they are.” Lord Sherton cast a daring look down her body. “How could they not?”

“Well, that remains to be seen, My Lord.”

The reality was that Lord Sherton was right. Men were vying for her attention. They lingered close for the opportunity to put their names on her dance card. Diana never thought that she would enjoy the attention. She who took pride in her steadfast indifference to such pursuits was now savoring the attention.

There was hardly any room anymore in her once empty dance card, and she doubted that the quartet had such a wide repertoire to accommodate all the gentlemen who wanted to dance with her.

She didn’t stop. She didn’t slip away. She forgot about the Italian pastry. She twirled around the dance floor. She laughed at slightly amusing comments. She held men’s gazes in a way that made them flush.

Diana was having fun. After so long, after years of unattainable dignity, she felt… powerful.

But even in her blissful state, she had not expected the most eligible bachelor of the ton to approach her. Lord Ainsley had never noticed her, and he had never called on her. Yet, now he bowed to her.

“Lady Diana, it would simply be a crime to allow such an evening to pass without the pleasure of dancing with you.”

The whole of the ton held their breaths. Even Selina joyously hummed next to her. Lord Ainsley was the most sought-after bachelor, the one mamas were throwing their daughters at. He was handsome and rich, well-mannered and reliable.

“Then I suppose I must do my part to prevent such a heinous crime, My Lord,” Diana said sweetly, placing her gloved hand in his.

She felt all eyes on them as he led her to the dance floor. The other couples were looking at them openly. Yet, one thought slipped through her triumphant moment.

Is he watching?

Lord Ainsley was a proper dancer. If she thought Richard was a stickler for rules, she quickly reconsidered. After all, he had married her sister. But Lord Ainsley painted inside the lines. Always. He held her at a respectable distance, their waltz smooth and measured.

“You are an excellent dancer, My Lord,” Diana remarked.

“That is the mark of a good partner, Lady Diana. A waltz should be effortless.”

“Do you find all things to be effortless, My Lord?”

He smiled a reserved smile. “Of course. A well-ordered life and a quiet marriage with comforts to enjoy.”

Diana maintained her smile while she fought the urge to check if he had a pulse. The way he said ‘quiet marriage’ and ‘comforts’… It made her skin crawl. And yet, not so long ago, she too had longed for quiet and comfortable. Now? Now, she was changed.

And she was under no illusion about who brought about that change. It was allhim. James had taught her this. Not just with his stolen kisses and wicked hands, but with his presence. With the way he saw her, the way he perceived her, the way he saw past her nickname. He had changed her, she had to admit as much. He had unlocked something inside her, and she had walked right through, emerging confident.

Thinking of him made her miss him. Before she could stop herself, she did what she deliberately didn’t do all night—seek him out.

She scanned the sea of faces and found him immediately. There was no way a man like him could fade in the background even if he tried. What she didn’t expect was to meet his gaze. She barely held her breath when his eyes locked onto hers.

Oh.

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