Page 9 of A Lady Never Tells
“I intend to take her out for the next waltz.” Wyndam grinned. “She doesn’t have a dance card. They all belong to me.”
Claudine laughed. “He can be possessive.”
“As I should be,” he said in a reverent tone. “You are mine.”
“The waltz is the next dance,” she told them. Eden tried to ignore her own dance card, but it was like a brand on her wrist. His name was there. Only his name. She hadn’t been asked by anyone else, hell he hadn’t even asked her. Would he have asked if Roslyn hadn’t insisted? She didn’t think he would have. He had seemed far more interested in Roslyn than Eden. Her heart lurched at that thought. Her night with him had clearly meant more to her than it had to him.
“Wonderful,” Lord Wyndam said. “I can’t wait to have you in my arms again.” He stared at Claudine adoringly, and then he turned his attention to Eden. “Are you going to dance tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned to,” she admitted.
“Eden doesn’t like to dance,” Claudine said.
“I don’t,” she agreed. She was a terrible dancer. “I have had little opportunity to dance. I never had a season.” Which she was grateful for most of the time. “My marriage had been arranged.”
Wyndam wrinkled his nose. “An archaic practice. I would never do that to one of my children.”
“I’m glad we agree on that,” Claudine said, then laughed. “The quadrille is ending. Should we head to the floor?”
Where was the duke? Had he decided he didn’t want to dance with her after all? “Go,” Eden said. “Have fun. We will talk later.”
Claudine nodded as Lord Wyndam led her to the floor. The strands of the waltz were starting and Eden turned to check with the servants, only to run right into a hard male chest. He wrapped his arms around her to prevent her from falling. “Easy,” he said. “I have you.”
Hell…it was the duke. His nearness, his scent, brought back so many memories. She almost panicked at the feel of his arms around her again. Eden wanted to be all alone with him and strip off his clothes. His hands, god he wanted him to touch her everywhere. This was not her lover from that long ago night. He had not been dressed so finely, and he’d been far cruder in his speech to her. “Thank you, your grace,” she said in a demure tone.
“Were you going somewhere?” he asked. He still had his hands around her waist. Why hadn’t he let her go?
“I didn’t think you truly wished to dance with me,” she told him and pulled back. He didn’t let her go far. “I was going to check with the servants.”
“You can after our waltz,” he told her. “Shall we?” The duke lifted a brow as if telling her she had no choice. She didn’t. Not really.
“Yes,” she said, her voice wobbled a little as she spoke. Eden had to get herself under control. It wouldn’t do for her to fall apart in the middle of the dance floor. That would surely create the scandal that everyone had hoped for.
The duke led her to the floor. He placed one hand at her waist and then the other in her hand. She rested her hand on his shoulder and prayed she didn’t embarrass herself in this dance. He didn’t speak to her again. They started moving, and she was swirling around the floor with ease, almost as if they did this every day. He led her expertly around the floor, and all the while kept his gaze firmly on hers. It was unnerving.
“Tell me something, Lady Moreland,” he demanded. “Do you attend many ton functions?”
She panicked for a moment. Had he realized she’d been his lover at Sinbrough’s masquerade? “No.” Somehow she said that one word without letting her anxiety shine through.
“Is that why you didn’t wish to dance with me?”
“It has nothing to do with you, your grace.” It did have something to do with him. If she had to dance…she both wanted and didn’t want it to be him. He was the only one that had any effect on her. “This ball is too important for Roslyn. I want it to be perfect for her.”
“But not for you?” He lifted that brow of his again. “You’re young enough. Don’t you wish to marry again?”
“I have no need to tie myself to a man again,” she said in a bitter tone. “One marriage is enough to cure me of that notion.”
He frowned. “You surprise me.”
“Is that so terrible?” She smiled. “Not every woman wants to marry, your grace, even if you are a duke. You needn’t worry about my intentions. I’d never compromise you in the hope of being your duchess.” If that were the case, she would already have done so.
“A pity then.” His lips quirked into a half smile. “I’d like to see you try.”
Was he flirting with her? “Then perhaps I’ll surprise you again one day.” Eden was unlikely to do that. “But for now our dance has come to an end. Enjoy your evening, your grace.” They came to a stop. Eden curtsied before him. “Thank you for the dance.” She turned and left, and didn’t glance back at him. Even though she wanted to. Oh, she wanted to. He wasn’t hers and never would be. He didn’t even know who she was to him, and that was for the best.
If only her heart understood that…
Four
