Page 23 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
“Pardon me, Your Grace,” she said quietly, pausing to politely bow her head to the doormen as they went inside. “How exactly will this earn me a proposal?”
“Do you not trust me?” He gave her an intense gaze, and he watched in amusement as a slight blush grew on her cheeks.
“I suppose I must trust you,” she finally said with a sigh, making him laugh. “And what is so funny?”
“You make it seem so dreadful to put your trust in me.” Rowan chuckled, leading her inside. “You will be wed, Miss Snow. I will personally see to your happiness and ensure that you escape your brother. I owe you an apology for misunderstanding your situation.”
I never would have even let her go back there if I had known. I am not sure why, but a part of me feels obligated to protect her now. Her kindness has proven that she deserves nothing less.
“Your Grace, I hardly expected you to know of matters that I spent my life attempting to hide behind closed doors. It is awful enough that practically half of the ton is aware of the horrid nature of the Baron. If it were up to me, you never would have had to see what you did.”
“If it were up to me, you never would have had to go through it in the first place,” he said, feeling a sudden protectiveness in his chest.
He was unsure of what it meant, but he knew that, from now on, he would be there to keep Alice safe until she found a husband.
She went to speak again when a group of gentlemen came into the hallway, chattering loudly with drinks in their hands and pipes balanced on their lips. Rowan watched them intently as their eyes wandered to Alice, before darting up to him, giving him a smile and a bow. He returned the gesture, knowing that the men respected him and the woman he managed to have on his arm.
I knew that having her by my side would prove beneficial, but it is working more to my advantage than I thought. The hard part will be convincing that pack of wolves that they should invest.
“Are not you going to speak with them?” Alice asked suddenly, looking up at him.
“I am not sure,” he finally said, feeling a bit vulnerable.
Rehearsing in his bedroom with Maxwell was a task in itself, but putting himself out there would be much more difficult.
“Are you nervous, Your Grace?” She suddenly smiled.
Rowan went to contest the claim but had nothing to even reply with. He was indeed nervous. He had never felt like this before, but he could not lose his father’s business.
He ran his free hand through his hair, and she spoke again. “I will help you.”
“Pardon?” He looked down at the lady on his arm, scanning her expression for humor or malice, but she had the same simple, kind smile on her face.
“Let us go speak with them.”
“I suppose there is no time like the present.” He held his breath, and she gave him that perfect encouraging smile she always wore.
How does she do that? This woman makes me feel like the world has melted away, despite all of the stress and uncertainty of reality.
* * *
Alice watched the Duke’s expression change from the surprisingly vulnerable state she just caught him in back into his usual, suave attitude as they walked down the hall in the direction of the gentlemen of the ton. The pair headed out onto the patio, and she idly wished she had the warmth of alcohol in her like the men so that she could bear the cold evening breeze that was picking up in the garden.
The sun was just beginning to disappear below the horizon, reminding her of the events of the day and how she managed to make it to the party, even if it was hours later.
“I do not understand the importance of it, is all,” one of the men mumbled against his glass of bourbon as they approached.
She looked around, noticing a few other ladies in the garden, giggling relentlessly. She figured they had one too many glasses of champagne with their teacakes, and she could not help the small giggle that escaped her lips.
“Your Grace, we are delighted to finally find you. I assume your quick escape earlier was not to avoid us.” A pudgy, older man chuckled, his pipe spitting ash into the grass as he sat up in his chair.
“Certainly not, gentlemen. I do hope you are having a pleasant evening,” Rowan started.
“As pleasant as a ladies’ event like this can be for a group like us,” another man said, whom Alice recognized as the father of one of her acquaintances, Baron Bray. “Pardon our manners, Miss Snow. It is lovely to see you again.”
“You as well, My Lord.” She bowed her head.
“Your Grace, I’m glad to finally speak with you! I meant to get in contact about the shipments, but it has been a busy time.” He gestured to the party with a hearty chuckle, and Alice watched as the Duke shared a similar laugh, unlike the one he usually shared with her. “I see that you are getting your foot in the door with this one. The ton will enjoy this match, indeed.”
