Page 3 of The Duke's Spinster

Wesley, the Duke of Baskim, had just finished dancing with a diamond of the first water. And he had already forgotten her name. To be honest, he wasn’t paying attention to much of the ballroom either. It looked like every other one he’d been to. Candle lights in sconces. Fresh flowers—roses, he could see that much—in enormous bouquets. Footmen hurrying trays about. It was just another ball. And it was nice. But nothing to notice.

“What was wrong with that one?” Samuel eyed the blonde he had just danced with. At least, he thought it was the same woman.

“She had nothing to say.”

“And that’s a problem because…?”

“You may not need conversation in your future, but I’d like to have some kind of stimulation. I think Chris and James would back me up on that one. No?”

“I want conversation. Actually, I even think it’d be ideal to marry my best friend.” Chris murmured the last phrase, “If that were possible.”

“Conversation sounds great. Not as great as some other things though.” James grinned.

“Thank you, Chris.” Wesley tilted his head at one of his friends.

“All I’m saying is that you find something wrong with every woman you meet. You just need to pick one, and get an heir. Society may think you’re Adonis incarnate, but you’re the oldest of all of us.” Samuel rocked back and forth on his heels.

“I’m not even halfway through my thirties. I have time.”

“Hardly.”

But truth be told, Wesley was starting to feel slight tremors of desperation. Of all the ladies he had met, not a single one had captured his attention for more than a dance. Perhaps it was time to just make a choice. He had had enough of women flocking to his good locks and deep pockets.

“If you know the ladies so well, why don’t you just choose one for me?” It was an impulsive thing to say, but Wesley said it anyway.

Samuel rubbed his hands together. “Now, there’s the best idea you’ve had all night. Indeed, quite possibly the best idea you’ve ever had. You’re too damn picky. If my recollection serves, you haven’t given a single lady a second chance. The three of us can most certainly do a better job on your love life than you.”

“Not my love life, just my married life.” Wesley was irritated. Samuelwouldmake this a competition. Everything was a competition with him. Often Wesley won. Then again, often Samuel won. So really, it was an ongoing, never-ending battle between them.

Wesley watched as Samuel’s eyes scanned the ballroom. And he watched as they landed on another diamond in the water a few feet away from him. A brunette. This time, although he didn’t remember the name, he remembered that she was secretly promised to another duke. He hadn’t inquired so much as she had told him. With the obvious intent to (unnecessarily) ward off any further advances from him. Amused at the memory, Wesley felt his spirits lift.

Knowing any initiatives with her wouldn’t last, he felt pity (or was it glee), and figured he may as well give his opponent a shot.

“You have to propose to the next lady you bump into.”

“I’m not going to propose to some random lady of your choosing tonight.”

Samuel hadn’t taken his eyes off of the brunette. “Not tonight. Tonight you dance. Then you finally give a woman a second chance: you court. Then you propose. If she refuses you…then…”

“Then what?”

“I guess you win this one.”

“Those stakes are awfully high. And one-sided. What do I get if I win?”

Samuel lowered his voice and stated his stakes.

Chris and James, who had otherwise only been listening, gasped. “What? Why would you do that?”

“I like a good bet. And I like to win,” Samuel shrugged.

The bet was preposterous. There was no good reason Samuel would betthat. Was there?

It also seemed too easy. Wesley weighed the risks in his mind. He knew the brunette would say no. He knew he would win. Really, he had nothing to lose.

So, with the odds obviously in his favor, Wesley shook Samuel’s hand.

Chapter Two

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