Page 36 of A Marquess to Save Her
Aunt Theodora smiled. “Most certainly, Your Grace. I thought you would never ask.”
“You know that if it were possible, I would sign off all of the available slots on your dance card,” the Duke responded.
“That would be quite the scandal, Your Grace,” Aunt Theodora responded, even though her eyes twinkled maliciously at the thought.
“For you, I am ready to weather any scandal,” the Duke pronounced.
Aunt Theodora blushed, and Louise could understand why she was so elated. Men like the Duke were firmly rooted in traditions and propriety. Therefore, for the Duke to say that he would weather any scandal for her sake, he must be deeply enamored by her.
“Lady Louise, I can see that you have had much success this evening,” the Duke said, turning to Louise. Louise smiled.
“Indeed, Your Grace,” Louise smiled, “I have been lucky.”
“I suppose my grandson is one of those men who signed your dance card,” the Duke asked.
“Yes, Your Grace. In fact, he was the first person who signed my dance card.”
“That is lovely, indeed. I suppose you understand that our bloodline is a pure and untainted one,” the Duke asked, peering closely at Louise.
“I…I do not quite understand what this has to do with my dance card, Your Grace,” Louise was confused at the sudden proclamation to her.
“Callum would be the next Duke and whenever he decides to take a Duchess for himself, the most important thing would be that he takes a woman who is also from a pure and affluent family,” the Duke said.
There was a moment of silence during which Louise pondered on the Duke's words and why he was saying them to her specifically. She soon figured that the old man was warning her that she was not good enough for his grandson or to become the next Duchess.
“I appreciate the information, Your Grace,” Louise said to the Duke, “kindly excuse me.” With that, she walked away, her mind reeling from what had just happened.
Louise knew that the Duke could be quite a rigid man, but she did not expect that he would be so brazenly against whatever it was that she had shared with Callum. And in front of her aunt, too! Her heart broke slightly at the fact that she would never be with Callum in the way that she wanted.
Of course, Louise knew that she should not even be nursing any expectations with Callum, but she could not help herself. He was a thoughtful and handsome man who treated her with nothing but kindness. It would be difficult for her not to nurse feelings for him; it did not matter if it was not mutual.
But now, seeing that his grandfather did not approve of her, Louise knew she could never be with him. It was inconceivable that a child would disobey their parent, even more so their grandparent. Therefore, Louise knew that Callum would have to do as his grandfather wanted, even if he really wanted to be with her.
“You make me laugh so hard, Lord Langton,” a voice said, and Louise looked back instinctively.
There Callum was, standing with Felington, Emily, and Catherine. Catherine stood awfully close to Callum, and with how she looked at him, Louise could tell she was flirting with him.
“I have a dreadful fear of spiders myself, My Lord,” Catherine said as she pressed her necklace to her chest with her hand, subtly calling attention to her bosom. Louise saw Callum's eyes wander to her bosom, and Louise seethed.
How dare she flirt with him so brazenly? Does she not know that he is courting me?Louise looked away from them, trying to get her emotions back in order.Our courtship is fake; therefore, Callum is allowed to do whatever he wants.Louise turned on her heel, eager to put the thought of Catherine flirting with Callum behind her.
As Louise wandered around the hall throughout the night to get them off her mind, she could not help but steal glances at Callum and Catherine. She caught Catherine using her fan in such a way that it drew attention to her bosom twice when Callum's eyes were no longer on her body. Louise could not help but feel mad and betrayed at what was happening before her eyes.
When the dance finally started, Callum found his way toward her.
“May I?” Callum asked, giving her a bow.
Louise smiled beside herself. She gave him her hand, and he led her to the middle of the ballroom, where others were already taking their position to dance. As Callum took her in his arms and they both danced in silence, Louise could not help the feeling of peace wash over her.
She closed her eyes momentarily as she took the feeling in. As a maiden, Louise had danced with a lot of bachelors. However, it was different with Callum. With him, it felt natural, and it was as though they were both in a synergy of some sort.
“Have I told you already you look absolutely radiant tonight?” Callum asked.
Louise blushed, and she looked away. “Well, thank you. You look dashing yourself, especially as a certain lady has stayed glued to your side for most of the evening.”
“Is that jealousy I sense,” he said before peering at a spot behind her, “isn't it quite something that my grandfather is enamored with your Aunt?”
Louise looked in the direction that Callum was staring at. There the Duke was, dancing with Aunt Theodora, the both of them looking like they were having the absolute best time.
