Page 11 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
Bridget thought of his sharp gaze, and a powerful warmth coursed through her. It made no sense for her thoughts to linger so strongly on that man; she had only spoken to him once, and yet the Duke of Hamilton called to her just as the sirens had to Odysseus from the old myths. She rolled back her shoulders anddanced, feigning as though her partner were His Grace through every step.
Chapter 6
Despite the gulf of distance between them, Anthony had locked eyes with Lady Bridget. His gaze had taken her in as if she were a piece of fine art, each delicate curve of her body emphasized by her pale blue gown.
Anthony’s heart ached. Anastasia would have favored that color, and he remembered first seeing her during a ball at Hamilton House. Perhaps the likeness to Anastasia should have upset him, but he would not have quite said that he was hurt. Instead, he felt the urge to approach Lady Bridget and ask her to dance, to perform those same steps that had once won Anastasia’s heart.
Lady Bridget’s companion, a young woman who looked quite like her, whispered something, and color rose across Lady Bridget’s cheeks. It was a light, delicate flush. The sight of it made Anthony’s throat dry. How often had his coy insinuations achieved that same look from Anastasia?
“We do not want to be too eager,” the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton said beside him. “Let us walk the room first, Rose.”
The dowager duchess was a tall and stately woman. Like Lady Rose, she was fair-haired, her eyes a light hazel color that appeared gold in the flickering candlelight.
“Right,” Lady Rose said, smoothing her hands over her pink gown.
Anthony followed them as they began their circuit around the room. His eyes wandered toward where Lady Bridget had stood, but she was gone. The lady’s companion remained standing by the wall. Anthony glanced into the ring of dancers, searching for the sight of Lady Bridget’s blue gown. At last, he found her dancing with the Marquess of Thornton.
He grimaced. Anthony could not imagine a young lady like that having any interest in a man who was so old, so her acceptance was surely one born of polite duty rather than from any desire for the man. But then, Anthony was assuming that Lady Bridget knew anything about desire. Perhaps she did not.
They reached Lady Bridget’s companion. “Anna!” Lady Rose exclaimed. “It is so good to see you!”
Lady Anna smiled and lightly clasped Lady Rose’s hands. “Likewise. This is a lovely ball.”
“It is my aunt who deserves the praise for that,” Lady Rose said. “May I introduce my guardian, the Duke of Hamilton, and the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton?”
Lady Anna curtsied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Graces.”
“This is Lady Anna,” Lady Rose said. “Her father is the Duke of Norfolk.”
“I know His Grace well,” the dowager duchess said.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Anthony said. “I had the joy of meeting your sister just a few days ago.”
“She mentioned it,” Lady Anna said, her eyes bright and curious.
“She is dancing with the Marquess of Thornton,” Lady Rose put in, furrowing her brow.
“Indeed. He is a close friend of our father,” Lady Anna said. “I am sure that he sought to spare one of us the indignity of being a wallflower.”
Lady Rose opened her mouth as if she meant to say something, but she seemed to think better of it. Anthony archedan eyebrow. He wondered if Lady Rose knew something about the situation that he did not. Maybe Lady Bridget truly did favor the Marquess of Thornton and what he and Lady Anna perceived as a polite acceptance was something more. He found himself irrationally displeased at the thought of Lady Bridget desiring that man.
“What about your own prospects?” the dowager duchess asked. “You are too beautiful not to be asked to dance yourself.”
Lady Anna smiled politely. “I have been watching a gentleman throughout the evening, and I believe he has been watching me. Perhaps he will find someone to arrange a formal introduction between us.”
“Who is it?” Lady Rose asked.
“The gentleman in the blue jacket speaking to Lord Thurwell.”
Anthony’s eyes landed readily on the gentleman. “Mr. David Russell,” he said. “He is a merchant’s son, who did some business with the late Duke of Hamilton.”
“When Bridget and I walked past him earlier, I heard him mention an artist who I am particularly fond of,” Lady Anna said.
“Well!” the dowager duchess exclaimed. “I am acquainted with Mr. Russell, too. Shall I introduce you to him?”
Lady Anna’s face brightened. “I would be delighted, Your Grace.”
The dowager duchess smiled at Anthony. “Please ensure that Rose finds a respectable gentleman to dance with.”
