Page 56 of Dueling with the Duke
The Duke spun slowly around as he moved away from Bridget, stepping lightly on his toes, his arms held out with his palms facing up. Bridget watched him move around, dancing the waltz by himself. She smiled a little at first but could not hold back as he thrust his hip to change direction. He moved back toward her and spun again before bowing.
Bridget burst into giggles. “I will admit that you are a fine dancer,” she said.
“Then let me help you,” the Duke urged. “We are doing nothing more than dancing together, so you are ready for the wedding.”
“First, it is meeting at night, then dancing. I shouldn’t…”
Bridget had sought him out, so she could not suggest he had taken advantage of her. But dancing? It was a much more intimate proposition.
“Would you feel more comfortable if we were dancing during the day in a room back at the house?” the Duke asked.
Bridget glanced out toward the sea before looking back at him. “Of course.”
“Yet, we will do the exact same thing. We shall practice some footwork, and there will always be space between us. I might have a reputation, but I have never taken advantage of a woman. I am offering my help and nothing more. If you wish to wait until tomorrow, then we shall wait, but I know your sister is already having thoughts about us.”
Bridget knew that was true.
“Alright,” she relented. “We can practice tonight under the moon and stars, and I will discover just how awful I am.”
“You shall not be awful,” the Duke maintained. “I can see the elegance in you.” He held out his hand again.
Bridget’s heart beat faster now that the prospect was becoming a reality. She took a step away from the wall and took the Duke’s hand. The warmth from his fingers ran up her arm, and it caused her heart to flutter. She should not have felt such things when they were only dancing together, but they had almost kissed, and now they were getting closer again.
Bridget knew she should wait until the next day and dance with the Duke back at the manor, but now that her hand was in his, she was unable to let him go.
The Duke was gentle but strong. He held her hand tight and pulled her from the wall toward himself.
“But we have no music,” Bridget protested. “How can we dance without music?”
Am I looking for an excuse to put an end to this folly? The most delightful folly I have ever been engaged in?
“Dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, dum dum-dum-dum-dum.” The Duke hummed a waltz as he pulled her closer to him.
She thought he might take her in his arms, but he stopped her just short. Bridget was so close that she could breathe in his sandalwood cologne and see the depth of his green eyes in the moonlight. She was close enough that it was hard to look away from him, so she studied his face, her eyes roaming over his strong chin and chiseled cheekbones. She had seen a sculpture of a Greek warrior once in a museum in London, and his handsomeness reminded her of that.
The Duke took her free hand and placed it on his shoulder. It broke her trance. There was nowhere else to look but his face, but she had still been staring. Now that her hand was on his shoulder, she was startled by the feel of his strong arms but relieved that they had overcome some barrier, and when she looked into his eyes again, she did not feel she was staring.
When the Duke placed his hand on her waist, it felt daring. A thrill of excitement ran through her body, but she felt safe and secure. She submitted to his grip, knowing she should not be in his embrace in the middle of the night but welcoming it.
“I presume you know how to dance a waltz?” the Duke asked.
“I do,” she replied. “Still, it has been some time.”
“Follow my lead,” the Duke instructed.
He began humming again, and on the eighth beat, he stepped to the side, bringing Bridget with him. They moved together, and she found it easy to know where to step, with the Duke leading. It had been some time since she had danced with anyone, but it felt like slipping into a warm bath—enjoyable and familiar.
Bridget had been looking down at her feet, and when she looked up, the Duke was smiling. She returned his smile. It was impossible not to.
“You are doing fine,” the Duke praised. “You know the steps, so trust yourself with them. Hold your body as you are doing now, but relax a little.”
Bridget nodded. She did not know how much she could relax while dancing alone with a man in the middle of the night, but she tried her best. She did not feel any change in her body, but the Duke nodded approvingly, so she must have done something right.
The Duke quickened his step and spun them around. Bridget let out a happy gasp.
“You were worrying about nothing,” the Duke said. “You are a wonderful dancer, Lady Bridget. You will make happy any man you dance with at the wedding.”
I want to dance with you at the wedding.
