Page 67 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
“And you call me dramatic,” Emmeline groaned. “Off with it, Harcourt. Give us your permission.”
Harcourt looked between the two of them before throwing his hands in the air. “Fine, but on one condition.” He narrowed his eyes at Lord Torrington as he spoke. “The wedding must be arranged with haste. I shall not have any chance of someone ruining my sister’s reputation. Threatening Miss Durant will not long keep her silent, I assure you.”
“I shall go first thing in the morning and talk to the Archbishop to secure a special license.” Lord Torrington’s words surprised Emmeline and she turned her head toward him. He chuckled “Why do you look at me so? If you wish to have the banns read and wait weeks, then I shall simply obtain a common license.”
Emmeline shook her head. “Whatever you two think is best is fine. I simply wish to dance.”
“And dance you shall, with your brother’s permission, of course?” Lord Torrington looked over at Harcourt as he held his arm out to Emmeline. She slipped her arm around him and leaned into the dark-haired duke. There was always this spicy smell around him that she had never quite allowed herself to indulge in lest it brought on unwanted feelings.
Harcourt waved them away as if dismissing naughty children, much to Emmeline’s amusement.
Chapter 12
The music drifted out over the ballroom as Nash led Lady Callum onto the dance floor. He knew the announcement of their engagement would be very soon, but he wanted a dance first. With a smile he pulled her into a swirling waltz.
“I never understood why someone who danced so well did not like to dance,” Lady Callum admitted as she leaned into him, a bit too intimately, but Nash did not hold the display of affection against her.
For so long they had restrained themselves from showing much in the way of emotion that it was nice to freely display the affection that had built between them, even if it did cause some heads to turn. Nash put his arm around Lady Callum’s waist and indulged himself with finally finding out how the woman felt in his arms beyond the formality of dancing. She gave him a look of suspicion that was swiftly replaced with a smile of endearment.
“Dancing was something I had to learn in school. Like most subjects, one can be good at them and not actually enjoy what is being taught,” Nash replied as they danced around an elderly couple. Nash inclined his head to the aging duo, who were more than likely here for Harcourt as Nash did not know them.
Lady Callum lifted her fingers off of Nash’s hand and gave the elderly woman a wave. “Lovely to see you, Lady Henson!”
The woman bobbed her head and gave Lady Callum a serene smile before Nash led them away. “I do not know as many people here as I thought I would,” he admitted.
“Harcourt let me do the invitations,” Lady Callum said almost apologetically. “Many of these people are from the season or from Scotland. I let Harcourt invite his own friends and acquaintances, so there are some I do not know too.”
Nash leaned in and whispered, “Just wait until you see the party Mother is planning to throw in our honour.”
“You did not mention that.”
“We were not supposed to be still engaged, so I did not think it necessary to mention.”
Lady Callum laughed and tried her best to cover it by tucking her head against Nash’s shoulder, which probably caused more attention than the laughing would have. Nash laughed along with her.
After the dance Harcourt called for everyone’s attention before anyone could even move off the dance floor. Lady Callum gave Nash a look that was almost bashful.
“Tonight, I am filled with happiness to announce to all those gathered here the engagement of my sister, Lady Emmeline Callum, and Lord Torrington!” Harcourt raised his hand toward Nash and Lady Callum where they had stopped in the middle of the dance floor.
Nash was quite used to the attention, but he could tell that Lady Callum did not quite know where to look as the room applauded them. He felt a slap on his back as Lord Grayson came around to grasp his hand. “Well played, Lord Torrington. You have yourself a fine match in Lady Callum.”
“I could not agree more, Lord Grayson,” Nash replied.
Lady Callum bowed her head in embarrassment, but was soon enveloped in a small knot of ladies who tugged her away from Nash as they enthusiastically demanded to hear all about the announcement from Lady Callum herself. Nash shook his head and said to Lord Grayson, “I fear I have lost my betrothed before we can even begin our engagement properly.”
“Women have to be indulged in these things,” Lord Grayson said sagely. “Let us get a toast, shall we?”
Nash went along with him because he could use a stiff drink. After all was said and done, he still was being kept away from Lady Callum. He glanced over at her and found her looking back at him as well. He lifted his hand to her as he followed Lord Grayson.
Getting to the altar quickly seemed a very prudent idea to Nash in that moment. After all, if they married quickly then he would have to put up with this nonsense for less time. Dowager Randall came up to them as they made it to the refreshment table. “Lord Grayson, I see that you have managed to sequester Lord Torrington before the others could.”
“I have indeed,” Lord Grayson said with merriment. “How is your niece doing this season?”
Dowager Randall smiled in a demure way that Nash thought might have been a little disappointed. “She is making a fine first showing this year. But I fear she may not find a match the first time around.”
“I thought she had hit it off with that Lord Victor fellow,” Lord Grayson said with confusion.
Dowager Randall pursed her lips and folded her hands in front of her. “Yes, well. He seems to have flown the coop. There are even rumours that he got himself into some trouble and may have a knobstick wedding back home.”
