Page 67 of A Duchess Bound
Bridget laughed. “What secret could I possibly have?”
They were seated in the carriage together, Elias across from them. He had been gazing out the carriage window, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, but at Dorothy’s comment, he returned his gaze to his sisters. “You have been a little evasive,” Elias said. “You have received no less than four letters and hastened to your room with all of them.”
“Do you share all your correspondence with us?” Bridget asked. “It is natural for a lady to wish for some privacy.”
“You also have disappeared again,” Dorothy noted. “At Lord Kastan’s ball, I noticed that you missed at least two dances.”
“Am I expected to dance every single time?” Bridget asked. “I was tired and wished to have some lemonade.”
Dorothy furrowed her brow, certain that Bridget was lying, for Dorothy had spent most of Lord Kastan’s ball standing by the lemonade. She would have noticed if her sister had tarried there for so long. However, Dorothy’s attention had wavered a little, for Gerard had been all too eager to speak to her.
She must pay greater mind to her sister. As the carriage halted before Holloway House, the home of Lord and Lady Holloway, Dorothy resolved to avoid Gerard entirely. His comments had been one thing—frustrating, sharp, and amusing all at once—but now, she saw clearly that they were a harmful distraction from what Bridget might be engaged in.
“Shall we?” Elias asked.
As far as Dorothy could discern, her brother had already decided not to pursue the matter further. Likely, he believed that Bridget ought to make her own decisions and deserved some privacy, and Dorothy did not disagree. It was only that her poor, lovely sister was so innocent and naive. She did not really know the dangers that a distasteful man might present to a young lady!
“Yes,” Bridget said, sighing. “And I would appreciate it if you would both let me enjoy the ball in peace.”
“Of course,” Dorothy said.
Ifin peacemight be rationally adjusted to indicate, ‘with my watchful eye upon you, so I can see that you come to no harm.’ Dorothy knew how alluring rakes could be, after all. And how persistent.
Her face grew hot and remained so throughout the greetings with Lord and Lady Holloway. Dorothy knew that it was hypocritical of her to criticize Bridget, given everything that had transpired between herself and Gerard, but she told herself that Bridget’s situation was different. She was a young, proper miss with marital prospects.
Besides, Dorothy was notquiteruined yet. Gerard had not yet taken her maidenhood, although she had all but offered it to him. Certainly, she had indicated that he could properly bed her if she wished, and he kept denying her wishes. Dorothy, who stood in the back of the ballroom, fixed her gaze resolutely on Bridget. She must not think about Gerard.
“I see that you have once more resolved to be a wallflower.”
She cast her eyes heavenward, wondering what she might have done to deserve such divine punishment. It was Gerard, of course, who had spoken. Dorothy kept her eyes on Bridget.
“Shall we dance?” he asked.
Dorothy still did not look at him, but she heard the rustle of the man’s clothing and felt his presence beside her. There was a steadiness about him that she wished she had not noticed.
“No,” she said coolly. “I have been negligent in my duties in securing my sister a suitable match, and I need to focus. I have no time for dancing with you.”
“Then, I shall endeavor to help you improve your focus.”
He would leave, then. Dorothy’s chest tightened, for she did not quite want him to abandon her. Of course, that was irrational.
Ridiculous. Absurd.
“Good. That is very gentlemanly of you.”
“I know.”
She curled her fingers into her skirts. He did not leave, as she had assumed that he would.
“Do you find yourself distracted?” he asked, pitching his voice lower.
She clenched her jaw, recognizing the question for the trap it was. If she insisted that he was distracting, he would mock her. If she insisted that she was not distracted, the absurd man would doubtlessly resolve to distract her.
So Dorothy said nothing, only crossing her arms to express her displeasure.
“I must try harder, then,” he said. “The best way to improve your focus is if a man works to distract you, after all.”
The dance ended, and Bridget bowed to her partner. She did not wait so much as a heartbeat before reaching for her next partner. It was the same dark-haired man from whom Dorothy had advised Bridget to keep her distance. A shiver traced the path of Dorothy’s spine.
