Page 14 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
“What are you doing? You know that I cannot dance with you again tonight!” she hissed, confused and further angered by the smirk on his face.
I would do anything to remove it from his face if I could. He must really have it out for me.
He reached for her wrist again, and she attempted to pull away, but he was quicker. The Duke spun her around, her back resting against his chest as he lowered his head to her ear and whispered, “Look.”
Her breath hitched at his blatant manhandling. She had not been this close to a gentleman, even when dancing, and a hot blush crept onto her face as she noticed the warmth of his body against hers.
She caught her mind before it wandered too far, and did as he told her, noticing through the crack in the door that the Earl was coming out of the sitting room, looking upset. He marched toward the ballroom down the hall, and suddenly it all made sense.
“So, that was the almighty plan. You almost threw away my evening so that he would try and catch up and steal the dance from you? Was there not a more gentlemanly way to cause that reaction?” Alice stepped away from him, the absence of his heat now sending a chill through her body.
She hugged herself, suddenly feeling like the air had been sucked out of the room.
He had a look on his face she could not quite place, but she thought she saw a tinge of jealousy.
No, that could not be.
“Men are simple creatures. I could see the way he was looking at you, like you were just another pretty girl in a gown. He would not have danced with you tonight. He is clearly only here for business. I simply added more allure to your already dazzling personality. You are welcome. Go after your gentleman,” he said, turning around and gripping the back of the dining room chair.
“Your Grace?—”
“Miss Snow, go.”
He would not look at her, and she decided that listening to him would be in her best interest, so, although he could not see her, she curtseyed and exited the room, heading toward the ballroom, where she caught the Earl of Eaton in the hall.
“Miss Snow, I am glad I found you. Will you join me for a dance?” He grinned, looking excited to see her.
It was the first time she had seen him look so eager, and she would not take it for granted.
“That would be lovely.” She smiled, a blush rising to her cheeks.
As she stepped into the ballroom, she looked over her shoulder, expecting the Duke to be following behind her for some odd reason.
What are you doing? He is not coming after you.
She came back to her senses and began to dance with the Earl, asking him questions about his family and life.
“My life consists of work and taking care of my mother and siblings. I heard that your parents passed when you were young. My condolences. My father passed several years ago, as well,” Lord Eaton confessed, looking away from her, seemingly very emotional.
She was not sure what to say to such an awkward icebreaker, but she attempted to lighten the mood.
“I am so sorry. Your family is very important to you, it seems,” Alice replied. “It is an honorable trait.”
“Indeed. I am seeking matrimony to solidify the family name. Having a wife and children would strengthen the name.”
She gave him a small smile. “I entirely agree. Family legacy is a wonderful thing, and finding a life companion is so important. Happiness is what life is all about, after all.”
Lord Eaton furrowed his brow, chuckling. “Miss Snow, you have a curious personality.”
Finally, the Earl is giving me the attention I have wanted all along. I just need to keep this up, and I will be away from Richard for good.
After an upbeat dance, they were worn out, but enjoying their time together. They stepped off the dancefloor just in time for Alice to catch the Duke’s shadowed gaze from across the floor before he ducked out of the room.
ChapterSix
Rowan had to escape the stifling estate as quickly as possible, as he was beginning to feel agitated once again and figured that he had made the event beneficial as much as he could.
I felt like I could not breathe properly in there. It was probably just the lack of oxygen. Miss Snow should not mind that I left early. She has her suitor in her arms, after all. She should not expect anything else from me tonight.
