Page 59 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“Oh, yes,” Adeline gushed, and Ciara could tell that there was obviously someone special who had caught her friend’s eye. “I just danced with a young gentleman who has swept me off my feet!” she exclaimed, only to look around, giggling, and press her hand to her lips.

Ciara loved seeing her like that, so happy and full of life. “Who is it?” she asked, curiously.

Ciara was grateful for the distraction that her friend’s own commotion offered, but before they could continue, a couple of young gentlemen approached them.

“Your Grace,” one of them greeted her. “I am Lord Prescott; you probably don’t remember me, but I am an acquaintance of your uncle.”

“Yes, Lord Prescott,” she smiled. She didn’t remember the man, but she didn’t want to make him uncomfortable over it. “How do you do? This is my friend, Miss Adeline Middleton.”

“A pleasure, Miss Middleton.” Lord Prescott bowed before Adeline as well, proceeding then to introduce his own friend. “And this is also a good friend of mine, Lord Matthew Kingsley.”

“Lord Kingsley,” Ciara curtsied, and Adeline did the same.

“I hope you won’t take it the wrong way,” Lord Prescott continued in a suave, charming manner, “but you look absolutely radiant this evening.”

He was smiling in a bright and inviting manner, and she couldn’t help but smile back, especially when she noticed, with the corner of her eye, that Jonathan had been watching the entire exchange from the opposite side of the ballroom.

A spark of defiance ignited within her. If he wanted to push her away, she would show him that she could also move on, just like him. She turned her full attention to Lord Prescott, her smile growing warmer.

Lord Prescott continued to flirt, his words filled with playful compliments. Ciara laughed at his remarks, the sound carrying through the room. She knew Jonathan was watching, and a part of her relished the idea of doing something to spite him.

“And how is your uncle?” the man inquired politely, glancing around. “Is he here?”

“Yes, he is fine, and he is here,” she responded cordially. “You should find him. I am certain that he will be happy to see you.”

“Perhaps you and I could find him together?” the man asked boldly. “I must say, I am not really keen on these crowds and elbowing my way through them. And you, as a beautiful lady, have an open path wherever you wish to go. It would be quite useful to have you on my arm during my search for your uncle.”

She knew that she had to tread cautiously. It was one thing to make her husband jealous by innocently talking to someone and flirting with her smile. But it was a completely different matter, leaving the ballroom with that man and putting herself in danger of gossip or something far worse.

“Yes, what you say is right.” She nodded, still careful not to agree with his suggestion. “But I do believe I saw him here a moment ago. He will appear shortly, I’m certain.”

He grinned with intention, obviously not particularly pleased with her response but adamant not to give up. “Well, while we are waiting, perhaps you would honor me with a dance?” he asked, extending his hand.

She hesitated only for a moment. But then, she remembered her husband’s cold demeanor and his even colder words with which he tried to push her away. It was obvious that he didn’t care about her at all. So, why should she care about him?

“Of course,” she replied, taking his hand with a graceful nod.

As they moved to the dance floor, Ciara felt Jonathan’s gaze burning into her. She ignored the pang of sadness in her heart and focused on the dance. She tried not to think about the factthat she could have been dancing with her husband now, staring longingly into his eyes and listening to the sound of his deep voice, forgetting about everything and everyone else. But no. All of this was her husband’s doing. It was all his own choice. Now, he had to deal with it.

Lord Prescott was an excellent dancer, and she found herself enjoying the moment despite the turmoil inside her.

“I must say, I was rather saddened by the news of your recent marriage,” Lord Prescott told her in a way that almost made her believe him.

“Saddened, My Lord?” she inquired, her smile unwavering but still remaining politely distanced.

“Well, yes,” he admitted. “When you returned to London, I noticed you and… I suppose I was too late to show my… interest.”

“That is most kind of you to say, Lord Prescott, but I suppose fate knows what it is doing,” she said, assuring him that she was grateful for his words but that she would not entertain them.

“I suppose so,” Lord Prescott smiled somehow sadly, but he was willing to agree with her which she appreciated.

The man danced beautifully although much differently than Jonathan. While Jonathan led her with confidence and determination, Lord Prescott was softer, allowing her momentsof her own independence in the dance. Still, she missed Jonathan’s guidance as she felt that it was exactly his presence, his guidance, and his affection that helped her grow out of the darkness she had found herself in, coming finally into the light. But she realized now that it was all a lie. The two months were almost coming to an end, and he couldn’t wait to tell her that.

They twirled and glided across the floor, and Ciara allowed herself to get lost in the music and the movement. She glanced over at Jonathan occasionally, noting the tense set of his jaw and the way his eyes followed her every move.You reap what you sow,she thought to herself, refusing to lock eyes with him every time he endeavored to do so.

When the dance ended, Lord Prescott bowed to her, his smile warm. “Thank you for the dance, Lady Ciara. It was truly a pleasure.”

“The pleasure was mine, Lord Prescott,” Ciara replied, her tone gracious.

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