Page 32 of The Duke of Kisses
She held his gaze for a moment before glancing about the room. “Are your mother and uncle here?”
“Yes. I left them downstairs.” Hopefully, they would stay there. He didn’t want to have to introduce everyone and move on, as would probably be expected. For whatever reason, whenever he was with Fanny, he could pretend he wasn’t the earl and that his life was far less complicated.
Someone jostled David from behind, pushing him forward so that he nearly crashed into Fanny. He clasped her waist to steady her. She lifted her hands and clutched at his shoulders. It would be a simple thing to lower his head and kiss her. Bloody hell, hewasthe Duke of Kisses. At least where she was concerned.
“Beg your pardon,” the man who’d bumped him said with an apologetic grin. His gaze drifted to where David and Fanny touched. They both quickly dropped their hands.
Fanny rushed to say, “I’m fine.” She looked up at David. “Thank you, my lord, for keeping me from falling.”
“Terrible crush,” the man said before moving on.
“I would glare at his departing back,” Fanny said, “but that was rather nice.”
As she flashed David a charming smile, his eye caught his uncle stepping into the drawing room and scanning the crowd. David assumed he was his uncle’s mark and sought to avoid being spotted. Offering his arm to Fanny, he said, “Shall we walk?”
“Here?” She placed her hand on his sleeve. “If you can manage it. This really is very crowded. West and Ivy and I didn’t plan to stay long.”
David steered them toward the back of the room so they could duck out onto the terrace if necessary. “The Duke is here?”
“Yes, but he is also downstairs. Lord Webley wanted to speak with him about sheep.”
“Sheep? Sounds like a conversation I should probably be a part of. We have sheep at Huntwell, and my father had been thinking of increasing the flock.”
“Do you want to go find them?”
“Trade you for sheep? God, no.”
Her laughter floated around him. “That’s very nice of you to say. Oh, here comes Ivy. It must be time for us to leave.”
David was loath to let her go, but he must. And not just because her sister was bearing down on them. Turning toward her as she took her hand from his arm, he offered a bow. “It was a pleasure to see you this evening.”
Her gaze settled warmly on his mouth, and he had the distinct impression she was thinking about their kiss.Kisses.“I hope it won’t be long until I see you again.”
“That is also my hope.”
The duchess glanced at David but spoke to Fanny. “It is time for us to take our leave, I’m afraid.”
“Yes, let’s.” She curtsied to David. “Good evening, my lord.”
The duchess inclined her head toward David, then they picked their way toward the door. They passed relatively close to Uncle Walter, whose gaze now settled on David with purpose.
Exhaling in resignation, David met him near the center of the room. “Looking for me?”
“Yes. Your mother wanted me to fetch you back downstairs.” He turned, expecting David to follow, which he did.
David couldn’t help but stare at Fanny as she and her sister descended the stairs a few people in front of him and his uncle. He watched as they joined up with the Duke and made their way to the door, which was open to admit new arrivals.
“She’s waiting for you over there,” Uncle Walter said, gesturing to where his mother stood in the hall. She was not alone. Two women—one close in age to her and another who was young—stood with her. David instantly knew who they were—the Stokes.
His gaze drifted back to the door in the hope of catching one last glimpse of Fanny. She was near the door, her head turned up toward him. Their eyes locked for what seemed forever but was in reality the barest moment, then she turned and was gone.
How he longed to follow her. But he had obligations, and they could no longer be avoided. He walked with his uncle to where his mother stood.
She gave him a reproving look before fixing a pleasant smile across her lips. “David, allow me to present Mrs. Stoke and her daughter, Miss Arabella Stoke.”
They curtsied to him, and he bowed.
“This is my son, the Earl of St. Ives.” The pride in her voice was unmistakable, and David had to remember that above all, she loved him and wanted him to be happy.
