Page 114 of When Dashing Met Danger

“And I told you”—she poked a finger at him—“go to hell!” She turned on her heel and walked inside the ballroom.

The first people she saw were Lord Dewhurst and Sir Sebastian. They were watching the dancers and entertaining two young ladies. Lucia arrowed straight for them. Freddie saw her coming, nodded slightly, then dropped his jaw as he realized her intention.

“Lord Dewhurst!” she called sweetly, sounding exactly like her mother. “I believe it is time for our dance.”

“Dance, Miss Dashing?” he said, raising his eyebrows in confusion.

“My lord! You have not forgotten the dance you promised me, have you?” Her smile was plastered to her face, but her eyes were imploring him.

“Miss Dashing, I would be pleased to dance with you,” Middleton offered suavely. But Freddie was looking at something behind her and stepped forward.

“That won’t be necessary, old boy. I’ve promised to dance with Miss Dashing, and dance I shall.”

As she took Freddie’s arm, Lucia saw almost the entire room watching them. She winced, seeing her mother’s shocked face among the onlookers. She could hear the gossip now: Lucia Dashing attacked Lord Freddie Dewhurst, a notorious rake, and dragged him to the ballroom to dance. Her reputation was going to be torn to shreds.

“Lucia.” Alex’s voice carried across the room. Lucia and Freddie froze. Everyone around them turned to look at Alex. Everyone except Lucia and Freddie.

Lucia clutched Freddie’s arm. “Keep walking.”

“Ah—” Freddie stammered and didn’t move. “Lucia!” Alex yelled, and the room stilled, even the music of the orchestra died away. People began whispering.

“It’s the Earl of Selbourne.”

“He’s calling to Lucia Dashing.”

“Mamma mia!”

Lucia rolled her eyes. She dug her nails into Freddie’s arm but did not turn around. People were moving away from her, making a path for Alex, so she knew when he was behind her.

“Get your hands off my fiancée, Dewhurst,” Alex growled. There was a collective gasp as everyone digested this latest on-dit. All eyes swiveled to Freddie. He looked at Lucia. She released him, and he stepped gladly away.

Furious, she rounded on Alex, hands on hips. “You arrogant cad! I am not your fiancée.”

There was murmuring and whispering as the guests repeated her words then leaned closer for more. Lucia saw the dangerous glint in Alex’s eyes, but she didn’t care. “How dare you—”

He turned to the crowd. “I have an announcement to make,” he said loudly, his voice carrying to the farthest reaches of the room. Lucia stared at him, unbelieving. What was the man doing? He paused, made a wide circle around her, waiting until he was sure he had everyone’s attention. “I am in love with Lucia Dashing,” he said. “And I’m going to marry her.”

Lucia’s jaw dropped, and a wave of dizziness hit her. From the corner of her eye, she saw her mother stumble and her father grab hold of her. Lucia saw Ethan shaking his head and Francesca gaping.

“I know what you all are thinking,” he continued, meeting their eyes. “The Earl of Selbourne doesn’t fall in love. Many of you knew my father and have heard me pity the poor fool in love.” He looked at Freddie and Middleton. Then he turned to her, and what she saw in his eyes dispelled the dizziness.

“But love changes all of the rules we make for ourselves,” he said more quietly, and took her hand. He brought it to his lips, then got on one knee in front of her. “I cannot live without you, Lucia,” he said, gaze never leaving her. “I want you and only you—from now until forever.”

Everything and everyone in the room disappeared. There was nothing—no one—but Alex.

“You haunt me every moment—awake, asleep, it doesn’t matter.” His eyes burned into hers. “I can’t think of anyone but you, and I don’t want to.”

Lucia’s heart stopped beating. He meant it. He loved her, wanted her. Only her. She could see the truth of it in his eyes.

“I know I treated you badly.” He squeezed her hand. “I was afraid of appearing the fool. But now I see that the real foolishness was in ever letting you go.”

Lucia was lost in his eyes. There was only Alex, and he loved her.

“Marry me?” he asked. His face blurred as tears swam in her eyes, but she managed to nod her head. Then, a moment later, she was in his arms, laughing, crying, she didn’t know which. Alex was kissing her, and nothing else mattered. Later she’d read in the paper about the applause of the crowd and her mother’s scream as she fainted. But she remembered none of it. At that moment, everything but Alex was a blur.

ALEX SWEPT HER UP AND carried her through the crowd, up the stairs, and outside. Hodges had his carriage waiting, and Alex wanted her inside it before she could change her mind.

God, she was beautiful—the most beautiful woman in London, in the world. She’d taken his breath away in her gown of silvery satin and her amethyst jewels. And now she was in his arms, and he stared at her.

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