Page 29 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Imogene returned his smile, knowing she should not encourage him.Between Norgrave and Blackbern, she could not decide which gentleman was more arrogant.She was certain if she asked her companion for his opinion, he would view her complaint as a compliment.
“Do you often spend your evenings observing people?”
“You would be amazed what some people will do when they think they are not being observed,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows in an exaggerated manner.
Imogene laughed, and continued down the gallery that circled the ballroom.They were not the only spectators.She stopped from time to time, and took a moment to view the guests below.Norgrave was correct.It was amusing to watch the awkward introductions, the groups of matrons sharing gossip as they observed their daughters from a distance, the fortune hunters seeking out potential heiresses, and the young couples stealing a few minutes of privacy in the alcove.
“You are quite brilliant, my lord.This is more entertaining than the theater,” she declared.
“I have always thought so,” he said, staring at her with an indulgent expression on his handsome face.
They had moved away from the dancers, and were positioned above the open doors that led to the back terrace.Imogene glanced across the ballroom and casually noticed a man and woman.A potted tree obscured the couple, but they appeared to be engaged in an intimate conversation.She braced her gloved hands on the railing to see what would happen next.
Any amusement she was feeling slipped away when the gentleman turned his head to reveal that she was staring at the Duke of Blackbern.The marquess stepped closer until her body was caged by his.
“Ah, I had wondered where Blackbern had gone,” he said, tilting his head as if he was attempting to discern the identity of the duke’s companion.He did not seem particularly surprised that his friend had lured his female companion into one of the alcoves.“I had not realized—” He broke off as if he was reluctant to finish his thoughts.
“Realized what, Lord Norgrave?”
“Norgrave will suffice, my dear lady,” he said absently, his hand covering hers.The marquess nodded in the couple’s direction.“Blackbern and Lady Flosham.It appears our mutual friend is keeping secrets.”
“Secrets?”she echoed weakly.Imogene watched as the duke lowered his head.It was impossible to discern if he was kissing the lady or merely speaking to her.
“The Countess of Flosham,” Norgrave said, oblivious to Imogene’s growing disquiet.“She and Blackbern shared a very close friendship five years ago.Although their liaison lasted only a few months, our friend was quite smitten with her.She was the one to break their connection out of respect for her husband.There was some speculation a few years ago when her husband perished in an accident that the duke would renew his acquaintance with his former love.I suppose he was giving her time to mourn the loss of her husband.”
“I see,” Imogene said, not understanding the grief and disappointment welling up within her.She had no claim on the Duke of Blackbern.He had flirted and kissed her, but it had been her misfortune to assume he had been developing feelings for her.When he had kissed her earlier to make Norgrave envious, she had naively assumed his devotion had been genuine.
“It is quite admirable of the duke to take into account the countess’s feelings for her husband,” she said, striving not to reveal her own feelings on the matter.“She is a fortunate lady to find two good gentlemen in her life.”
The curious look Norgrave sent her hinted that he was not entirely convinced that she was as unmoved by Blackbern’s fickle affections as she appeared.
“You know, when I first saw you, I thought you superficially resembled Lady Flosham.You are both blondes and close in stature and looks,” he said, his keen perusal studying her from head to toe.“When Blackbern expressed an interest in meeting you, I had wondered if he was thinking of his countess.”
His countess.
The thought of their earlier kiss sickened her.Had he been thinking of Lady Flosham all along?
“I can see that I have been thoughtless,” Norgrave murmured, drawing her away from the railing and blocking her view of the couple.“Until I saw your face, I had no idea that you had developed feelings for Blackbern.”
“No,” Imogene denied, appalled that her affection for the duke was so apparent.“I do not love him.”
The marquess nodded at her fierce declaration.“Very wise of you.Blackbern is a decent fellow, but he is unable to resist a fair face.I do what I can to shield young ladies from my friend’s flawed nature, but there is little I can do for a bruised heart.”
“You are a good friend, Norgrave,” she said, her throat feeling scratchy and raw.“I appreciate the warning, but I see Blackbern for the scoundrel he is.I do not have a bruised heart,” she lied, desperately wanting to believe it.
Norgrave nodded with approval.“You are a sweet, clever girl, Imogene.I realize Blackbern saw you first, but it is my fondest wish that you might consider me a worthy substitute when it comes to matters of the heart.”
“My lord, I do not know what to say,” Imogene whispered, wondering if she might have felt differently if Norgrave had been the gentleman she had crashed into the night of the Kingabys’ ball.“I do not view you as any man’s substitute.”
His grin widened.“Then I am a fortunate man.”
Before she could guess his intentions, the marquess kissed her.With the image of Blackbern and his ladylove burned into her brain, Imogene eagerly tipped her chin up so their mouths met in hopes Norgrave could wipe away the lingering trace of the duke’s kisses.
For a few minutes, the marquess actually succeeded.
When Norgrave stepped away and her head cleared, Imogene realized how far she had fallen for Blackbern—and she did not know what she was going to do about it.
Chapter Nine
