Page 7 of The Wrong Duke

There was only one thing that Evan could do. He didn’t want to. Oh, how he didn’t. But if he didn’t intervene, and quickly, Miss Baker would be introduced to his best friend, she would play the same tricks on him as she had outside, and that would be the end of David as he knew it.

As such, there was but one option, so he took it.

“Lord Lindstone!” Evan called, parting from his friend and intercepting Miss Baker and her father before they were too near. “Lovely to see you again.”

“Your Grace...” Lord Lindstone’s nose curled, but he forced a smile, nonetheless. “How is your evening?”

“All the better for seeing you.” He flashed a smile that he knew would grate on the repugnant lord. “And this?” He turned to Miss Baker. “This resplendent creature must be your daughter?”

“I —” Lord Lindstone balked. “Ye — yes. This is Miss Baker.”

“I hesitate to be too forward but...” He reached out and took Miss Baker’s hand. She frowned as she offered it, eyeing Evan in a way that suggested she knew who he was but wasn’t quite sure. “Would it be too bold of me to ask for a dance?”

“Wh — what?” he stammered disbelievingly.

“A dance. That is if Miss Baker doesn’t mind?”

There were some advantages to being a duke. Namely, that few were willing to deny him much of anything. Lord Lindstone did not like Evan, and Evan did not like Lord Lindstone. But with the request made, with thetonwatching on, with reputations at stake, there was little he could do but nod and grumble a disapproving yes.

Or at least Evan assumed he did. Before even Miss Baker or Lord Lindstone were able to say much of anything, he was pulling the young lady through the crowd and toward the dance floor.

Honestly, the things he did for his best friend... Evan hoped that one day. David might appreciate it.

CHAPTERTHREE

“What is it that you think you’re doing?” Evan whispered in Miss Baker’s ear the moment they were together on the dance floor.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He rested a hand on her waist and pulled her in closely. A brief flash ran through his mind, memories of their bodies pressed together outside earlier, but he dispelled them.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Evan smiled at her. “Whatever you say.”

He might have pressed the conversation further, but before he got the chance, the music started, and he was forced to concentrate as he began to lead Miss Baker in their waltz. It was orchestral music playing, the musicians set up in the corner and out of the way, the acoustics of the Grand Hall designed specifically to amplify the stringed instruments melody without it being overbearing. A gentle pace was set, Evan holding Miss Baker by the hand while his other hand guided her by the waist.

They weren’t alone on the dance floor with another dozen couples moving to and fro between and around them, all in perfect synchronicity. A mirage of colors swirled about, laughter and merriment on the faces of those around them, cheerful banter and eyes watching from the edges of the floor. Evan was only too aware of the fact that he and Miss Baker were being watched closely, and so he had to be careful about what he said and how she might react.

“I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised,” Evan continued, wearing a false smile so that anyone watching would think they were engaged in the most pleasant of conversations. “You don’t exactly strike me as the type of follow rules.”

She eyed him curiously... and confusedly. “Your Grace, forgive me, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. It was you who asked me to dance.”

“And for good reason,” he continued as they moved to their right, their feet ably stepping between their legs, not a beat missed because they were of thetonand dancing was very much a part of their education. “If you thought I was going to stand by and watch as you threw yourself at my friend, then you were mistaken.”

Her brow creased, and she met his eyes. Studied them. Looked through them until her own widened with realization. For a moment, it felt as if she might pull away, such was her shock. But to her credit, she stayed composed... well enough.

“That was you!” she gasped, missing a step, but Evan held her tight and lifted her gently so that nobody would notice. “You were the one who —”

“Who you forced yourself on earlier, yes.”

“That was not... I didn’t... what happened —”

“What’s the matter?” Evan chided, feeling a little too proud of how easily he had disarmed her. “Cat got your tongue? Perhaps that’s for the best — save you using it in a way that I know you’re likely accustomed to.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s not funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be,” he said shortly. “You ambushed me earlier, thinking me to be Lord Malnor — don’t deny it. I know what you intended.”

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