Page 27 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
He could not lie to himself and pretend as if he did not want to see Miss Snow again. He enjoyed their time together, and she had a way about her that made him feel at ease. He wanted her to accompany him to Xander Yarros’s party, but he would not mention it now. They were enjoying the night, and he did not want her to think about anything else.
The dance was celebratory, as he had received several offers to meet with him about investments. He could not fathom that his plan was working.
“How can I ever repay you for what you have done? My brother is a terribly stubborn man,” she said suddenly as they stood to the side of the ballroom, her expression etched with anxiety.
“Do not fret about it.” He grasped two flutes of champagne from a passing tray and handed one to her.
He wondered if now would be a proper time to ask her to join him at his friend’s home for a party, but a sudden nervousness grabbed hold of him.
What is happening to me?
“Your Grace, I must admit. I have no way of compensating you for standing up for me,” she said. “I am forever grateful. Though, I am unsure how long Richard’s temper will stay subdued.”
“I have some ideas.” He winked, watching her face contort into one of apprehension before he chuckled. “Nothing to be frightened of, Miss Snow. I will think about what you can assist me with if it will put your mind at ease.”
“It will.”
They chatted with several pairs of people before the night came to an end, and the crowds of ladies with flushed cheeks and men who stumbled along with smoking pipes made their way outside, into the frosty night air.
Alice and Rowan walked together, hearing passing remarks of jealousy and envy, as well as some people bumping into them, giggling, and exiting through the emptying hallways of the estate.
“Bloody hell, Damon!” a woman who was slightly drunk slurred as she passed them, making her way to her carriage as her mother attempted to hide her drunken stupor with a polite, embarrassed smile before scolding her.
The two shared an amused look as they finally made it to their carriages. Alice’s maid followed behind, having a quiet talk with Maxwell, and Rowan wondered idly what they were talking about as he helped Alice into the carriage.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening, Your Grace.” Alice gave a sweet smile. “Thankfully, nothing so scandalous as that happened to us.”
He turned and looked back at the girl who was being scolded for acting so unladylike, and he chuckled. “Indeed. You deserve nothing less than a perfect evening.”
Though, I cannot help but wonder what Miss Snow would be like, cheeks pinkened by champagne and thoughts unfiltered. Surely, I would not be able to keep my hands off her if I were in the same position… Simply gazing at her body is driving me mad. The way she is biting her lip to suppress her smile, and the perfect way her eyelashes flutter at me is nothing less than tempting. I suppose she is right to be thankful for our sobriety tonight.
Once Alice’s chaperone arrived, Maxwell and Rowan climbed into the carriage, sitting across from the ladies. His knees hardly brushed against Alice’s, and even with the fabric of their attire between them, they both looked up at one another.
Rowan watched diligently, studying the quickening of her breaths before she could not hold his gaze any longer. She pretended to be interested in Maxwell’s mundane conversation with her lady’s maid, and Rowan shuffled in his seat, looking out the window to calm the tension building in his core.
The rest of the carriage ride was quiet, and Rowan was relieved to see his coach in front of her estate, waiting to rescue him from the cloud of attraction that had grown between them.
They all got out of the carriage, and Alice took Rowan’s hand as she climbed out.
“Are you planning on letting go of my hand, Your Grace?” she whispered.
He had not realized that he was holding onto her, and he released her, bowing deeply. “Although I’d love for my answer to be ‘no,’ I must return you to your home.” He leaned in, watching her eyes widen. “I hope you enjoyed your evening. Oh, and before it slips my mind, I have thought of something you can do for me.”
“Anything, Your Grace,” she said without hesitation, her demeanor changing to one of accommodation, clearly wanting to pay him back somehow.
He idly wondered how this girl had made it this far in life while staying so selfless.
“You will receive an invitation for an event in several days. Everything will be arranged. All you must do is accept.”
“An invitation?” She sounded perplexed, and he smiled, knowing that if he was any less cryptic, she would not accept his invitation to a party as a proper repayment. “What kind of an event will it be?”
“It is a surprise.”
“I do not like surprises,” she replied, furrowing her brow, making him laugh.
“Miss Snow.” He leaned down to look into her gorgeous icy blue eyes. He could stare into them for ages, he realized, and had to be sure not to get lost in them. “I promise you that you will like this surprise.”
“How can you be so sure?” she whispered, her gaze dropping to his lips for a moment before darting back up to his eyes.
