Page 52 of His Stolen Duchess
She did feel some pride in being at the ball. The Duke was pristine in his jet-black tuxedo and dark green cravat, and it appeared that his attire was a deeper shade of black than everyone else’s. It was easy to admit that he was the most handsome man at the ball; being on his arm boosted her confidence.
Her self-assurance was further supplemented by the dark green velvet dress she wore, which matched the Duke’s cravat. The Duke had paid for the dress, and she didn’t know how much it cost, only that it was expensive.
She loved the way it hugged her figure and showed off her curves. She had felt good upon leaving the townhouse, but now that they were at the ball, she was nervous. As the guests looked at them, she wondered how many of them knew her story and judged her because of it.
Lord and Lady Smithers approached them at the bottom of the stairs to welcome them.
“Thank you for having us,” the Duke said. “I’ve always been told that your ball is one of the best in London.”
“Oh, you flatter us,” Lord Smithers said. “But we do try our best. It’s a blessing to have you here, Your Grace.”
“Might I introduce you to a friend of mine?” Lady Smithers asked. “She has only recently joined society, and I consider her to be a good friend.”
“Of course,” the Duke said agreeably.
“Your Graces, might I introduce Imogen Lockridge, the Marchioness of Eastbeck?”
Lysander shook her hand, introducing himself and Georgina in turn.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Georgina said.
“Excuse us,” Lord Smithers said. “We have more guests to greet.”
Lysander nodded to the couple as they left.
“I must congratulate you on your marriage, Your Grace,” Lady Eastbeck said. “You’ve been married for a month, haven’t you?”
The lady was in her mid-thirties, tall, elegant, and moderately handsome.
“Yes, almost a month to the day,” Georgina said. “The time has flown since then.”
Lysander stood by, but he wasn’t a part of the conversation. He surveyed the great hall.
“I hear you’ve settled in quite well, Your Grace.” Lady Eastbeck’s words didn’t sound entirely sincere, as though she were jealous of Georgina. “I do hope your new husband has been treating you… kindly.”
Georgina felt her nostrils flare and did her best not to scowl at the woman. “Yes, thank you. We’ve both adjusted to this new life.”
Lysander placed a hand on Georgina’s waist, and it helped to ground her, to calm her. She let out a breath through her nose, and it released the tension she had been holding.
“Come, my love,” Lysander said. “I have someone I would like you to meet.”
“Of course.” Georgina turned to Lady Eastbeck. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure was mine, Your Grace,” the Marchioness drawled.
Lysander led her away from the woman and around the outskirts of the grand hall, where he took two glasses of champagne from the server’s tray and passed one to Georgina.
Georgina took the glass, still in a daze.
He called me his love! I know it was only for show in front of the Marchioness, but how good it felt to be called that. I was almost able to feel like myself for a moment.
Georgina shook her head and got hold of herself. She took a sip of the champagne, enjoying the bubbles.
“Who is it you would like me to meet?” she asked Lysander.
“No one,” he replied. “I didn’t much like that woman, and I don’t think you did either, so I thought we would extricate ourselves from the situation.”
Georgina smiled.
