Page 28 of A Duchess Bound
The suggestion was so astonishing that Lady Dorothy halted abruptly, and he nearly collided with her. She whirled around, incandescent with fury. “You will not!” she hissed.
He laughed. “Why?”
“Youknowwhy.”
Gerard shrugged. “On the contrary, I am the best man to dance with your sister. You know that I have no ill intentions towards her, for my attentions are decidedly elsewhere.”
“For now.”
“Fornow?”
She stormed away from him. For a heartbeat, Gerard did not follow. Instead, he remained fixed in place, as if he were rooted there, and watched Lady Dorothy move. His eyes hungrily traced the shape of her body, provocatively hidden by the voluminous fabric of her gown. He sighed deeply.
Gerard must persuade her to agree. Could he possibly coax her into some darkened corner? Perhaps, a few kisses would be sufficient to remind the lady how much she enjoyed his company—but not so much as to push her away.
“Layton.” Leedway, positioned at the edge of the ballroom, gestured for him.
Gerard glanced again at Lady Dorothy, who had convened with Lady Bridget. Doubtlessly, Lady Bridget was recounting all the details of the dance, and Gerard imagined Lady Dorothy listening attentively and judging every word. Lady Bridget’s suitors ought to be vying for the attention of her elder sister, for it was clear that no man would win Lady Bridget’s heart without Lady Dorothy’s approval.
Reluctantly, Gerard crossed the room to join Leedway. “Good evening,” Gerard said.
Leedway nodded. “You seem to have considerable interest in my sister.”
Gerard hummed. “Am I so obvious?”
“Entirely,” Leedway said, taking a glass of champagne from the table behind him. “I want you to know that I expect Bridget to marry a good, respectable man.”
Lady Bridget! Gerard almost laughed. Was it truly so unthinkable that any man might fancy Lady Dorothy instead? Or perhaps, he was thinking too much of Leedway’s words. Lady Dorothy had always resolved not to wed, after all. It was reasonable that her brother might discount any potential romantic prospects for her.
“I imagine she will have no difficulties in securing a match with a good, respectable man,” Gerard said. “If you are implying that I am not that man, you are correct.”
Leedway’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “My sister will not be one of your conquests.”
“I understand.”
Gerard smiled, privately enjoying the irony of the situation. Oh, Leedway’s sister likelywouldbe one of his conquests, just not the sister he was concerned about.
“I know youunderstand,” Leedway said, “but I would like you to act on that understanding. Leave my sister be.”
“I shall not vex Lady Bridget,” Gerard said. “I promise.”
“Good. See that you do not.”
Gerard wondered if the notoriously rakish Leedway found any humor in asking another rake to resist the charms of his lovely and virginal sister. Probably not. Gerard had no siblings, but he knew that even the worst of rakes might be zealous protectors of their own sisters’ virtues.
“Excuse me,” Leedway said. “Sarsen wishes to speak to me.”
Gerard nodded. Leedway went to join the rather intimidating Duke of Sarsen and his wife, the third Leedway sister. He vaguely recalled the Duchess of Sarsen as being a wild woman, all fire and bluntness. It was a quality that had repelled most men, so her marriage had been met with considerable surprise from everyone, Gerard included. It seemed as though marriage had softened the lady’s edges.
Gerard’s eyes swept over the crowd, searching for Lady Dorothy. She stood near her sister, watching like a hawk. An inkling ofadmiration stirred within him. He had to admire the woman’s devotion to her charge.
CHAPTER 11
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends!” Elias declared.
“IsHenry Vreally the most appropriate reference here?” Bridget asked, arching an eyebrow. “I would prefer not to think of this lovely garden party as a battlefield.”
“And yet I have seldom seen a battle as fiercely fought as the one for your heart,” Dorothy said. “I am somewhat concerned that we may need to employ an additional parlor maid.”
