Page 54 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Olivia looked at him, her face a mixture of frustration and disbelief. “He threatened you, and then you shared a toast?”
“Is this not how women do things?” Nigel raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing.
Olivia shook her head. “It is not. Does this mean you two are friends once more?”
Nigel nodded. “Yes, we are.”
“Good. Then you are unlikely to challenge each other to a duel at the ball?” Olivia teased.
“Only if the entertainment is truly dire.” Nigel winked, and Olivia rolled her eyes. “But hopefully it will not come to that.”
“I should hope not.” Olivia smiled. “Though if the entertainment is dire, I shall blame it entirely on you.”
“On me?” Nigel shook his head. “My Lady, why should the blame rest with me.”
“Are you not the one sourcing the musicians?” Olivia asked.
“And are we notbothagreeing the dances for the night,” Nigel countered. “Though I confess, I do rather plan on breaking with propriety for the evening.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Do you indeed?”
Nigel nodded. “I plan on dancing with you and you alone, the entire night.”
“Good sir, that is most improper.” Olivia laughed. “Whatever will the good people of the ton think?”
“I care little what they think; all that matters to me is what you think.” Nigel stood and pulled Olivia into his arms, kissing her forehead gently.
The scent of lavender washed over him, and he breathed in deeply. She nuzzled into his chest, and her warmth spread across his body.
“It is a good thing that I only wish to dance with you,” Olivia murmured. “And a lucky thing that you dance far better than you paint.”
Nigel laughed. “You wound me, good lady. But it is true, I dance far better than I paint. Would you do me the honour of a dance?”
Olivia laughed. “But Sir, there is no music.”
“There is bird song, is there not? What need have we of music?” Nigel held out a hand, and then adopted a face of mock concern. “Unless you fear that your own skill does not match my own.”
“Is that a challenge, my dear Duke?” Olivia’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
“No challenge, merely an invitation.” Nigel smiled as Olivia took his hand. “Shall we waltz?”
“I shall follow your lead,” Olivia said.
Nigel inclined his head and began to waltz with Olivia. In the absence of music, he whistled the tune that had been playing the first time he had danced with her.
“This was the first thing we danced to.” Olivia smiled at him. “When you came to my rescue at my first ball.”
Nigel nodded and continued to whistle the tune. He led Olivia around the garden, turning her and imagining that they were in the ballroom.
“This should be our first dance when we are married,” Olivia suggested.
Nigel stopped whistling, but neither stopped waltzing. “I think that would be an excellent idea.”
“I did not think this is where we would end up when you asked me to dance.” Olivia smiled shyly. “But I am glad that we are here.”
“As am I.” Nigel smiled down at her, stopping their waltz. “I do not think I could have imagined such happiness as I have felt these last few days.”
“Nor could I.” Olivia stepped away from him but did not relinquish his hand. “In truth, if you had asked me even a few months ago, I would have laughed in your face.”
