Page 47 of My Secret Duke
They were being careful though. A conversation in a quiet corner, or a dance where they could chat. He made her laugh and poked fun at some of the other guests, and she found herself doing the same. And if she sometimes worried they were being rude, she reminded herself thatplenty of them had spoken cruelly about her, so why not return the favor?
During one of their dances, she told him about the ancient gentleman’s proposal. Ivo was amused. “If he had married every lady he ever asked, then he would have a harem by now,” he’d said.
Olivia knew what a harem was. “I’d prefer to be the only wife in my husband’s life,” she said dryly. A memory popped into her head, and she remembered how, when she was twelve, she had planned to run away to London and become a courtesan.
When she told Ivo, he had sputtered with laughter.
“I didn’t know what a… a courtesan was of course,” she admitted. “I had overheard my parents talking, and it sounded like it was an exciting thing to be.”
“But they stopped you?” Ivo’s green eyes were dancing.
“Yes. They found out from one of my sisters, and I was sent to my room without supper.”
There was a comfortable silence before he asked, “Has Lord Hollingsworth called?”
“No. Sadly, I didn’t come up to scratch in his mother’s eyes.”
“Poor Lord Hollingsworth,” he replied, mock-seriously. “Is he doomed to be single forever?”
“Surely she will find him someone who comes up to the mark?” she said, aware that her cheeks were warm. She was enjoying herself, and Ivo’s eyes were sparkling.
“Only if she can do the choosing.”
“You mean like soldiers on parade? Would she line them all up and then inspect them?” She made her voice sound like Lady Hollingsworth’s. “Too short, too tall, too forward, smiles too much…”
He fought his laughter, his chest shaking. “I thought I was the mimic,” he managed at last.
“Are you coming to Justina’s debut?” Olivia changed the subject once more as their dance finished.
“Yes, we are all coming. As long as you promise there will be some juicy scandal.”
Olivia grimaced. “I hope not. I want her to enjoy herself. It will be a small affair, but she doesn’t mind. Gabriel cannot afford—” She bit her lip.
“Olivia,” he said softly, leading her away from the dancers. “None of us are flush with the readies.”
She nodded and then sighed. “I know. Why did my father have to be such a spendthrift? Things would be so much more comfortable if we were wealthy.”
“I do not plan to always be poor,” he said quietly.
There was something meaningful in his expression, which Olivia chose to ignore. Instead, she smiled at him. “Do you have a dare for me? I am bored with polite chitchat.”
“A dare?” He met her gaze, and she could see the thoughts turning in his head. And then he said, “I think it’s your turn. What dare will you give me?”
Instantly, her mind flooded with possibilities, most of them completely out of the question.Take me into the garden and kiss me. Dance with me again and again. Hold me close and tell me…But no, none of them were doable, even though she wanted them to be. She was aware of those old, foolish urges rising up inside her, the longing to do something completely wild and unacceptable despite all of the very good reasons she knew she should not.Couldnot.
She looked about for inspiration, and her eye fell on a young girl she had noticed earlier. She sat against thewall, shoulders a little hunched, looking completely miserable. A stern, matronly woman sat beside her, glowering at anyone who passed in a protective but unhelpful manner. Olivia turned to Ivo with a wicked grin.
“Ask her to dance.”
“Her? Who?” He was looking about.
“Her.You will make her evening, Ivo. She will go to sleep tonight remembering every moment of the dance, every word you say, every smile you give her.” She knew that, because that was how Olivia had felt the first time Ivo had askedherto dance.
He gave her a dubious look but set off as instructed. Olivia watched as he approached the girl, smiling at the matron and then bowing. There was a brief conversation, and then the older woman nodded regally, as if she was bestowing something very precious upon him, and the girl stood up. She was smiling, blushing, wondering if this was really happening. That the handsomest gentleman in the room—and a duke to boot—was asking her to stand up with him.
Olivia couldn’t help smiling too as the music swelled and the dance began. She might have watched the whole thing, but she was aware of the way in which people gossiped, and her face must be food for plenty of speculation right now. She made her way back to the dowager, and found Adelina and Lexy there with Ivo’s mother. They were making stilted conversation and looked relieved to see her.
When the polite greetings had been made, Adelina leaned in close and said, “Ivo is dancing with a wallflower. Do you see? That is very kind of him.”
