Page 4 of Her Lion of a Duke
Lord Pember looked at both of them, his eyes lighting up at once. He approached them as the music came to an end and introduced himself to Beatrice.
“It would be an honor to dance with you,” he said gently.
In an instant, Beatrice’s face brightened. She took his arm, and they disappeared into the crowd.
“That was rather easy for you, was it not?” Cecilia asked.
“It is as you said; your friend is pretty. We gentlemen are not as vain as you might think, and I shall have you know that we do not always appreciate a challenge.”
“But you do, do you not?”
“At times, yes. They can provide some entertainment.”
“Ah, is that why you find yourself by my side at these events?”
“Well, it is not as though either of us has much of a choice. All of our friends seem to find themselves married, and your friend seems to be next.”
Cecilia sighed, watching Beatrice dance with Lord Pember.
Beatrice seemed to be enjoying herself, and though it was precisely what Cecilia wanted for her, she could not help but feel a twinge of fear that she would indeed soon be left alone.
“If you are reconsidering your position,” Leonard said after a moment, more sincerely, “I would be more than happy to dance with you. It might do your reputation some good if they see you are not as fearsome as you wish to be.”
She laughed gently, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.
“That is very kind, but I do not need your pity. I have the sharpest tongue in London, and the last thing I need is to be seen as a lady who needs anything from a gentleman.”
“And yet—not that it is a need, by any means—you might find yourself in want.”
“And if I did, I would be entitled to keep that to myself. Every lady has secrets, Your Grace.”
Cecilia’s eyes fell on her aunt, who was watching as Clara danced a second time, but then she noticed those around her, none able to look at her.
They were whispering.
CHAPTER 2
It was precisely as Miss Punton had said; all ladies had secrets.
And she was no exception. There was so much about Cecilia Punton that Leonard did not know. But more than anything, he wondered if she remembered him.
He had never forgotten her after the night they met, and though she had changed after their first encounter and sharpened her wit and sworn off men altogether, she had never had an unkind thing to say to him, despite the rumors.
As he had expected, they had spread from the night his brother died. Leonard had killed him in order to take his title, done it in cold blood and without mercy, envious of his perfect older brother, who had everything he wanted.
It did not matter that Leonard had never been seen anywhere near where it happened, and even years later, he did not knowprecisely what had happened to Henry. It was more interesting if he was seen as the guilty party, so the ton never changed their mind.
Fortunately, the scandal was forgotten. Over time, he became known as the Duke who hosted wonderful parties, flirted with ladies, and was an excellent gentleman to befriend, even if he was not the most trustworthy.
“Have you seen this?” Mrs. Herrington asked as she bustled into the breakfast room. “I do not know how these writers invent such things so quickly.”
His housekeeper slid a scandal sheet across to him, and he looked at her incredulously.
“Mrs. Herrington, I have told you before that I do not care for idle gossip.”
“And I have told you that I would not show it to you unless I deemed it necessary.”
Leonard looked down at the words, scanning them quickly.
