Page 58 of A Duchess Bound
“Lord Coatney,” Gerard said. “It is a pleasure to join you tonight.”
He had too much dignity to ask if the Leedways had arrived.
“It looks as though it will be a splendid evening,” Gerard added, gesturing to the row of carriages which had arrived behind him.
“Indeed,” Lord Coatney said.
Gerard entered the house. He did not need to ask where the ballroom was, for a legion of footmen stood ready to guide him. Once he reached it, he paused in the doorway. A spirited waltz already rang in the air, and the ton danced together. Ladies’ skirts bloomed like flower petals as they twirled, and the gentlemen’s dark jackets—mostly black, navy, and charcoal—cut sharply through the brightness.
Where was his favorite lady? Gerard’s eyes swept over the crowd. He did not find Lady Dorothy, but Lady Bridget was easily distinguishable. She wore a pale pink gown and danced with a gentleman—Lord Eldridge, if he was not mistaken. He looked besotted with her.
Well, if Lady Bridget was dancing, Lady Dorothy must be nearby. Gerard doubted anything could cause her to abandon her beloved sister. At last, the dance ended, and Gerard stepped forward.
“Lady Bridget,” he said.
The lady spun around, her eyes wide with surprise. “Your Grace!” she exclaimed, dipping into a flawless curtsey.
She was so nubile and innocent, quite unlike the elder sister. “Is your dance card full?” Gerard asked.
The ball had only just begun, but he had seen the young lady’s popularity.
She fumbled for a moment, her fingers struggling to grasp the card. When she did, her eyes quickly searched the names. “There is one dance left, Your Grace. I should?—”
“What are you doing?” Lady Dorothy’s voice cut through him like a dagger, and Gerard withheld a grin.
He glanced at the elder Leedway sister, a beautiful, rosy color rising to her cheeks. “I was asking Lady Bridget if she might like to dance with me,” Gerard said, forcing his face into the very picture of innocence. “Do you have some reason for interfering?”
“I would prefer that my sister dance only withrespectablegentlemen.”
Gerard inhaled sharply, letting his eyes deliberately linger on Lady Dorothy’s full bosom, cradled gently by her blue gown. He hoped that she noticed. “My lady,” he said. “What a cruel accusation to make! I have only honorable designs towards your sister. It would be a pity to leave her dance card with an empty space.”
“It will not be empty by the night’s end,” Lady Dorothy said sharply.
“Do you have the powers to see into the far-flung future?” Gerard asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I do not need such powers to know that my sister is highly desirable. She will find a suitable partner.”
“Am I not suitable? I am wounded by your cruel words.”
“I doubt that.”
“Do you believe that I am unfeeling? That I shall take an insult without feeling the sting of it?” Gerard asked, arching an eyebrow. “Why, I am surprised by you, my lady.”
Lady Dorothy glanced at her sister. “Do not let this rogue persuade you to dance with him,” she said, taking Lady Bridget’s hand in hers. “You deserve a better man than he, and I feel no guilt in saying so.”
Gerard feigned a sharp, surprised inhale of breath. Was she jealous? Oh,thatwould be delicious!
“Lord Southampton!” Lady Bridget exclaimed in a transparent attempt to break the awkwardness between the three of them. “Shall we dance?”
Ever eager to please a lady, Lord Southampton swooped in and spared Lady Bridget from continuing the conversation. Gerard raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “That was cruel, Lady Dorothy. I wished to dance.”
“Not withmysister!” she hissed. “Youknowthat.”
He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and took a long, leisurely look at her. “I see,” he drawled. “I am suitable for you, but not for your sister. Or have you decided to keep me all to yourself?”
She tipped her chin up defiantly. “Do not speak so loudly,” she hissed beneath her breath. “Someone might hear you.”
“No one is paying us any mind,” he said, as the music swelled around them. “I promise.”
