Page 61 of The Duke of Ice
God, he wanted to kiss her. Touch her. Hold her. Never let her go.
But he’d already created enough of a scene. He withdrew his arm and took a step back. “Is this your coach?”
She looked over her shoulder and nodded. The coachman jumped down to open the door for her.
“Will you go to the fancy ball tomorrow night?” he asked.
“I thought we were going to live in the present.”
He flashed her a grin and saw the subtle change in her eyes—a seductive darkening that made his cock start to stiffen. “As it happens, there is a fancy ball tomorrow night—in the present.”
She smiled back at him, and it took everything he had not to follow her into the coach and take her in his arms. “Then yes, I’ll go,” she said, turning to the door her coachman had just opened.
Before she climbed inside, she looked at Nick over her shoulder. “Did you really come to pay your respects to the Queen?”
He fixed her with an intense stare that carried the full weight of his desire. “No. I came for you.”
Chapter 13
When Violet enteredthe Upper Assembly Rooms the following evening, it was exactly like eight years ago—only worse. The women—and men—clamoring for Nick’s attention were four or five deep. She anticipated having to wait at least an hour for him to even see her.
She’d underestimated him.
Taller than most, he’d been able to see over the throng and instantly reacted to Violet’s arrival. He’d worked to excuse himself, and a scant five minutes later was at her side.
Then he’d promptly asked to dance with her for the next set. It was the most joyous she’d seen him since running into him at Hannah’s. He danced as she remembered—his feet light, his smile broad, his laughter easy. And Violet felt as if she floated on air. If there’d been a more perfect night, she didn’t remember.
Except shedidremember.
They’d danced eight years ago at that fancy ball, and it had been just as affecting. The only difference was that he hadn’t been accosted by people as soon as they’d left the dance floor. Now, however, he was a duke, and people liked to talk to dukes, particularly just before the Queen was due to visit and they were wrangling for an opportunity to attend her reception on Monday.
Violet made her way to the tearoom for supper. She sat at a table with a pair of sisters who lived in Sydney Place. Lady Andromeda Spier was a widow like Violet, and her bluestocking younger sister, Cassiopeia Whitfield, was a committed spinster.
The latter woman, who was the same age as Violet, adjusted her gold-rimmed spectacles. “How was the house party, Violet?”
“Very nice, thank you.”
“That was hosted by your friend, Mrs. Linford?” Andy asked. She and her sister were rather bookish and didn’t always pay attention to social events. In fact, Violet was a bit surprised to see them here tonight. They hadn’t danced, however.
“It was, yes.”
“Who was the gentleman you were dancing with?” Cassie picked up a cake and took a bite, her gaze politely inquisitive.
Violet stifled a smile. It didn’t surprise her that Cassie had no idea who Nick was.
“Oh, that was Mr. Bateman,” Andy said. “I remember him from when he lived here before. Don’t you?” She turned her head toward her sister. They looked somewhat similar—Andy with blonde locks while Cassie’s had a bit of red along with the gold. But their eyes were distinctive, even when one discounted Cassie’s spectacles. Andy possessed serene, intelligent gray eyes and Cassie’s were a bold hazel with sharp gold flecks.
Cassie tipped her head to the side, considering her older sister’s question. “I’m not sure. Mr. Bateman…”
“He’s the Duke of Kilve now,” Andy said, turning her head to Violet. “Isn’t that right?”
Violet nodded.
“And how do you know him?” Cassie asked rather absently as she picked up another cake.
“They were acquainted before,” Andy answered before Violet could.
Violet froze. She hadn’t considered that anyone would know that. But acquaintance was nothing, she reasoned. Andy had just admitted to being acquainted to him back when he’d been Mr. Bateman. “Yes, I met him in Bath eight years ago—before I was married. We were reacquainted at Hannah’s house party.”
