Page 73 of Dueling with the Duke
The Duke took Bridget’s hands. She had been expecting it, but the touch still made her legs quiver. She had to concentrate on keeping her balance, now that she was back with him.
I am back with him! We were driven apart, but we are back together, and it shall only make us stronger.
The song started, and four beats passed before Margaret crossed the space between the dancers to face the Duke and step lightly before him. He responded with some steps of his own. When Margaret moved back to her partner, it was Bridget’s turn. She moved forward and danced before Lord Michael, with him making a response this time. Then, the cousins did the same.
The partners clasped hands again. The Duke placed his right arm across Bridget’s back and shoulders, extending his hand and taking her right hand and then took her left hand in his, standing slightly behind her. The other three couples did the same, and they all moved into the center of the square and danced together in a circle.
Bridget caught her sister’s eyes, and she could not help but smile. Margaret looked so happy, content with the world.
Bridget had started the day feeling the complete opposite, but her emotions had flipped completely in the past hour. She had never imagined herself with a life like Margaret’s until that moment, when they danced the quadrille together.
The couples spread out into a larger square as the music came to a crescendo. They promenaded around in a larger circle, each couple stepping in time. There was a flourish as the music quickened, and the dancers improvised some steps in time with the music.
When the music stopped, everyone in the hall applauded the married couple, and they took center stage between the other three couples. Bridget and the Duke, and the cousins and their partners joined in the celebratory applause.
Bridget did not want the Duke to let go of her, but he did before going over to his brother to clap him on the back. She took the opportunity to embrace her sister.
“I am so happy for you,” Bridget told her. “You found a good man, and I know you will have a happy life with him.”
“I am happy for you, too, sister. And I know we will talk about it later,” Margaret replied.
The musicians struck up a waltz this time. Michael took Margaret’s hand, and he motioned with his free hand for more couples to join them on the dance floor. The guests were quick to get to their feet and join the merriment.
Bridget looked at the Duke, and he raised his eyebrows in return. He walked over to her and offered her his hand.
“My waltzing lessons should not be wasted. I don’t have to hum the music this time.”
Bridget laughed. She gladly took his hand and allowed herself to be led to a part of the dance floor that was not too full. He had a beguiling look in his eyes that made her heart flutter, and she knew she could spend hours looking into his eyes.
When he came to a halt, she eagerly placed her hand on his shoulder. He was tall and strong, a man who could protect her. The Duke held up her hand to her right and placed his other hand on her waist, cupping her firmly. It was a welcome touch that sent a delicious shiver through her body.
Bridget looked at his lips, then back at his eyes. She swam in them as if they were deep pools of clear green water.
“You are so handsome,” she said without meaning to.
She firmly believed he was handsome, but she had not meant to say it out loud.
The Duke smiled at the compliment. “And you are beautiful,” he replied. “Certainly the most beautiful woman here, but I can’t say that too loud on your sister’s wedding day.”
“No, best not,” Bridget agreed with a giggle.
She took deep breaths as they waited for the music to start and stared into his wonderful eyes. They did not say anything to each other in the silence, but it felt like they communicated everything through their eyes.
The entire hall seemed to darken around them, blocking everything else and everyone else out. There was only a small spot illuminated on the dance floor, where Bridget and the Duke stood.
The music began, and they danced among shadows, with only eyes for each other. Bridget was glad the Duke was leading the dance, as she was unaware of her surroundings. She might have bumped into someone if she were leading the dance, but the Duke led her between shadowy figures as they glided around the dance floor.
Bridget was sure they were moving around the entire dance floor, even if she could not see anything but the dashing Duke’s haunting green eyes. She felt his hand pushing her gently, and they floated as if they were on a boat on a calm pond, gliding elegantly.
“I can see my lesson paid off,” the Duke noted.
Bridget smiled.
There were no stars above them as they danced, but Bridget only had to close her eyes to be transported back to the silence and serenity of the beach where they had first danced. She took a deep breath and could almost smell the salty air.
She opened her eyes again. “That was the moment I understood how deep my feelings for you were,” she confessed. “My goodness, how did you go from infuriating to so desirable in only a few short days?”
“I am very charming,” the Duke quipped. “The real question is how you went from incredibly annoying to so beguiling in the same amount of time.”
