Page 57 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

She opened her eyes at the concern in Harry’s voice. She nodded quickly. “I am, Your Grace. I must say, your dancing skills have improved from just adequate.”

Harry beamed. “It’s all a credit to my dance partner, I assure you.” His eyes darkened with his words.

Jenny knew that look. She knew how to flirt, thanks to David, but whenever Harry’s body language or words became suggestive, she always found a way to change the subject.

However, after her little pep talk about fully committing to the relationship, she knew she had to play the game.

She tilted her head coyly and fluttered her eyelashes. “I wonder what else I can help with?”

Harry’s eyes went wide with shock.

Jenny’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

Oh goodness, that sounded horrible.

Harry barked out a laugh that had her embarrassment reach a whole new level. She felt herself pulling away from him.

“Oh, Miss Bennett, what has gotten into you?” he said with a smile.

Jenny just shrugged, not understanding what was so funny. Sure, what she said may have been a bit forward, but she was new to this. New tohim.

“We shall have a wonderful life together with your sense of humor.” He leaned in to whisper in her ear, “However, we must be careful. We don’t need to rush anything now, do we?”

Jenny let a smile settle on her lips. Of course, he was the perfect gentleman. He made sure there was always a chaperone present, he said the right things, and he never let either one of them get carried away. Not that they had to worry about her. Apparently, they didn’t have to worry about him either.

Harry continued to twirl them around the dance floor when her eyes landed on the bottle green ones that had been haunting her dreams. The dance pattern changed, and she was thankful when she lost sight of David.

Harry was prattling on about some sort of goose hunt happening in a few days, but Jenny couldn’t concentrate. Every move they made, she felt those eyes on her. She knew David was watching every one of her movements as if she were his target in a hunt.

The song ended, and everyone clapped.

“Shall we go again? I could dance with you all night, Miss Bennett.”

Jenny scrunched up her nose. “I think I need some air. I feel it is too warm in here all of a sudden.”

“Do you need any assistance?” Harry reached a hand out to her arm. He looked genuinely concerned for her health.

She patted his hand. “No, thank you. I shall be fine. Plus, I think the Earl is headed your way. I’m sure he wants to talk about your upcoming hunt.”

Harry sighed, taking her in, uncertain if he should let her go.

Jenny nudged him towards the Earl. “Go, I’ll be fine. Once I get some fresh air, I will be right as rain. I promise.”

Harry nodded and gave a slight bow. “I will find you after I speak with the Earl.”

Jenny tilted her head in acknowledgment and made her way out to the garden.

The cool night breeze felt good on her hot cheeks. The truth was, the air in the ballroom was a bit stuffy. She really did need the fresh air. She had come out here for that, not to get away from a certain man’s stare.

At least that was what she told herself.

She found a bench not too far from the garden’s entrance and the door to the ballroom. The light from the room reached just beyond the bench, allowing her to take in some of the elegant array of flowers around her.

“Why must I always find you in a darkened area by yourself?”

Thatvoice. The voice that visited her in her dreams was directly behind her.

Jenny sighed deeply and looked straight ahead, refusing to turn around. “No one asked you to come outside. If you don’t want to find people in places, stop going places.”

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