Page 79 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice slid her arm through Amos’s. This was it, the final ball of the season. There were some smaller events happening later in the week, but she finally made it the last official ball of the season.

Beatrice looked up to Amos who was sporting a confident grin as he walked her to the middle of the ballroom.

“Careful, Lady Beatrice,” Amos whispered. “Your mother might get the wrong impression about your intentions following this season if she sees you smiling that big.”

Beatrice bumped his shoulder as she giggled. It was true, she was smiling and she had to admit she was having a grand time with Amos. He was intelligent, funny, and loved mystery novels almost as much as she did.

The music began just as Amos placed his hand on her waist. It was no wonder her mother always saw him dancing, he started their movement with such grace and elegance.

“Have you given any thought to our last conversation?” Amos asked breezily as he twirled her around to the outside of the circle. The ease in which he did so was astonishing. She had never danced with such a skilled dancer before. Most of the men clopped around, she was lucky to leave a ball with only pained toes.

He isn’t the only good dancer I’ve danced with.

With the thought the movement around her slowed as the air around her changed. It felt charged, somehow, as if the whole room began to hum with electricity. The hairs on her neck rose as she felt eyes descend on her. Eyes she thought she’d never see again.

Beatrice tried to shake off the sensation and focus on the man moving her back towards the inside circle. She didn’t even know if he was there.

“Um, yes, I did. Well, I mean, briefly. There is a lot to consider when you have planned your life to be one way and now there is tempting offer.” She said with a smile.

Amos considered her words. “I understand. I am in no rush, but I know you have a deadline with your mother.”

Beatrice cocked her head. “How do you know about that?”

Amos lifted a shoulder.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What did my mother bribe you with this time?”

Amos threw his head back and laughed. “She is a brazen thing, isn’t she? No. No bribery, or hostage situation, she just mentioned if I could try a bit harder to convince you to take my offer she would appreciate it.”

Beatrice turned towards where she last saw her mother. She was still there, speaking with a friend and throwing happy glances their way.

“Does she know… about you?” Beatrice whispered.

Amos lightly shook his head and dropped his voice. “I only tell those I need to.”

Beatrice looked back up to him. “But you barely knew me when you told me.”

Amos shrugged again. “I told you I am a good judge of character. Was I right to trust you?”

Beatrice shook her head quickly. “Yes.”

Amos gestured to her mother. “Am I wrong not to trust her?”

Beatrice followed his line of sight and saw her mother and another woman flitting their fans in front of their faces, the tell-tale-sign of spreading gossip.

Beatrice grimaced. “I love my mother dearly. But, no, you were not wrong not to trust her.”

Amos gave a small smile. “But I trust you.”

Beatrice looked back up to him and felt some relief. Her grief has subsided in some manner, she no longer spent more time crying than not and she owed that to Amos. He bought her favorite chocolates, gifted her with a new book, and had been pleasant company throughout all of this.

“I am humbled by your trust, my Lord.”

Amos smiled as the music reached it final notes. “I think you can call me Amos if you’d like.”

Beatrice’s smile warmed. “That would be lovely… Amos.”

Amos brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a chaste kiss on her wrist.

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