“The rift between our families has been there for too long to be sorted by a marriage. I do not believe you to be naïve, Lady Helena, so do not act that way now.”
“Oh! If we are to start with the insults, then pray, let me join in.” She jerked her chin high. “I am not overwhelmed or overjoyed with the prospect of calling you a brother-in-law. Why should I wish to have a trickster for a brother? A thief too!”
“Thief!?” he spluttered.
“I’ve heard enough of your business practices to know the truth,” she muttered in a rush.
A couple looked at them, their eyes narrowing.
“You’re drawing attention to us.” The Duke drew her away from the couple, further into the middle of the floor. She was so swept up in his arms that she could hardly push against him.
“It’s shocking how easy you can put me places.”
“I am taking the lead, after all,” he whispered with a wicked grin. “Well, if we are being plain on matters, then I will speak plainly too. I am not, to use your words, overwhelmed or overjoyed to have you for a sister-in-law. Why would I wish for someone so heartless or superficial in my family?”
The words cut deep. Helena knew she shouldn’t have been affected by them, yet she was. She’d never been warm to the Duke, not once, but his supposition she was like that with everyone ground against her heart. She tried to release him, to step away and abandon the floor, but he gripped her a little tighter.
“Release me,” she begged.
“Let us finish the dance,” he pleaded in a low tone. “Unless you want everyone to see you storming away from me on the dance floor. What fuel that would be to the fire of gossip!”
She felt trapped as she returned her hand to his shoulder. She was both heated and cold standing with him. The conflicting feeling left her restless, chewing the inside of her mouth.
“I take your point, Lady Helena,” the Duke said after a minute of silent dancing where they merely moved from side to side in time to the music. “You wish to ease the pain between our families.”
“I do,” she whispered.
“I would like the same.” The Duke pulled her toward him a little. She angled her head down, so his lips were close to her ear again. The floor was now so crowded that they had no choice but to dance this close together for fear of colliding with others. “For my brother, I wish for my family to be at peace. Perhaps with a little work, we can help each family see the good in one another.”
“Perhaps,” she whispered. “Though I admit, seeing the good will be a great challenge.”
“Ha! I had a feeling you were going to say that,” he chuckled. The sound was so close to her ear, it felt, pleasantly, as if it vibrated through her. “Despite your argument, I am beginning to think that you do not dislike me as much as you pretend to.”
Her hand loosened through his, for she feared what he would say next.
“Why?”
“For what else could cause that blush on your cheeks other than our proximity.” The audacity had her sharply looking up at him. “You rather suit a blush, Lady Helena.”
“You are insufferable,” she muttered aloud. “It is simply a warm room.”
“Is that all it is?”
“Oh, I am also dancing with a man who dislikes me intently, who has just called me heartless and superficial. Could anyone keep a calm enough temper to have a pale face at this moment?”
“I have offended you,” he spoke with curiosity, his hand softening in hers.
“It is nothing.” She looked away from him, wishing her blush would calm itself. “Our families have been offending one another for generations, so what should our bickering matter in the grand scheme of things. Suffice it to say, you and I will never be the greatest of friends, but I wish for your help. I wish you to help me in at least making the two families civil to one another — for Julia’s and Lord Robert’s sake.”
“For their sake, yes, I can agree to that.” At his words, she sighed with relief. The end of the music came, and all the couples stepped apart, bowing and curtseying. She was so shocked he had readily agreed that she didn’t step back at first. “Time to release me, My Lady.”
She hastened back from him, and they curtseyed and bowed. Before she could walk away, he snatched up her hand and escorted her from the floor, moving so slowly that she could not accomplish her desire to run from him.
“We will be the peacemakers between the two families,” the Duke spoke with a practical tone. “When our siblings meet, one of us should be a chaperone to ensure that any family who is with them will be nice. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” she nodded.
“It will be no easy feat,” he said, stopping at the side of the dance floor and turning her to face him.