Page 39 of Taming a Beastly Duke
“I do not think you understand…” the first gentleman began, but Adelaide held up her hand and shook her head with a sly smile.
“Let us not give these fine people anything more about which to gossip, shall we?” she asked, giving the men a meaningful look. “What I do understand is that this is a ball that no one wishes to ruin with baseless conjecture.”
The second gentleman appeared to want to speak. However, instead, he turned toward the refreshment tables, beckoning to his companion while keeping his back to Adelaide. The first gentleman complied, casting Adelaide a perplexed look. Adelaide held a graceful smile, not moving her gaze until both men were no longer in sight.
When she looked at the duke again, her heart fell. The burden of the whispers and society’s cemented judgments of him was evident in the tight set of his jaw. He maintained his polite expression, though it was notably strained.
I wish I could stand with him, she thought, gazing at him wistfully. I would be honoured to defend all the whispers and glares against such a tender, caring man.
When he turned and looked at her from across the room, Adelaide was sure he must have heard her thoughts. Though his pallor was much improved, she could see that he was masking his remaining discomfort with aristocratic hauteur. His expression softened considerably, however, and he gave her a small smile. For an instant, it seemed as if all signs of illness left him as the blazing yearning returned to his eyes. It seemed clearer and deeper than ever, and despite her concerns about his condition, it felt as though her entire body blushed deep crimson.
As the first dance set began, Adelaide lost the duke in the crowd of couples approaching the floor. When she turned around, however, there was another familiar face.
“Miss Barrett,” Lord Edwin said with the most charming smile he had ever given her. “Pray, tell me that you have a place on your dance card to share this dance with me?”
Adelaide giggled nervously, trying to ignore the increasing dread she felt in his presence. She nodded, forcing a graceful smile as she reluctantly put a hand in the one that he offered her. The second to last thing she wanted was to dance with Lord Edwin. However, the very last thing she wanted was to cause trouble by refusing to do so.
“Of course,” she said.
Lord Edwin grinned as though he had just masterminded some clever plot. She followed him onto the floor, glancing inconspicuously for any sign of the duke. As Lord Edwin led them into position for the quadrille, his smile grew wider.
“I do not believe I have had the opportunity to tell you how lovely you look this evening,” he said.
Adelaide held her pleasant expression, but it was all she could do in order not to shudder. The charm might be warming and flattering if it had not felt so practiced and deliberate. He also could not hide the predatory gleam in his eyes, no matter how wide his grin became.
“Thank you, my lord,” Adelaide said, emphasizing his title and the polite briefness of her reply.
Lord Edwin seemed unbothered as the dance began. Adelaide was granted a moment to glance around once more, where she noticed the Duke watching her closely.
No, she thought as she noticed his clenched jaw and hands clasped tightly behind his back. He is watching Lord Edwin, and rather closely.
It appeared that the Duke was flustered by Lord Edwin’s choice to ask Adelaide to dance. As he continued watching their quadrille, he watched with intense emotions he seemed barely able to suppress, which sent a shiver down Adelaide’s spine that had nothing to do with fear. She longed to be on the floor with the duke, not in the company of a man who always appeared to be considering something nefarious beneath a handsome smile.
Lord Edwin tightened his grip on her hand and Adelaide realized she had been staring at the duke. She gave him another polite smile, but she knew it was a failure when his eyes darkened for a moment. She held up her chin, but she could not deny the nervousness she felt. Lord Edwin had always been a calming man. However, she did not know what he was capable of if he had the perception that he was in competition with someone, or that he had the right to be jealous of to whom Adelaide chose to give her attention. She continued the dance looking at him, but she felt more uneasy than ever before.
When she saw Edith following Lord Thomas onto the floor, she felt relief. Watching her friend would give her a respite from her discomfort while, she hoped, not upsetting Lord Edwin. She realized she was right when he followed her gaze, looking at the couple bemused.
“Are they not a lovely couple?” he asked pointedly.
Adelaide nodded her agreement.
“They are,” she said, watching Edith blush as Lord Thomas was saying something to her.
Lord Edwin chuckled, but the sound was chillingly hollow.
“I wonder what Marcus would think about it,” he said. “Though I am sure that he knows.”
Adelaide suddenly felt an overwhelming need to protect Edith and Thomas.
“It appears as though their striking bond with one another silenced the rumours that previously filled the air.”
Lord Edwin looked back at the pair, then at Adelaide once more.
“They dance carefully within propriety,” he said. “However, I believe that everyone in this room can see their passion.”
Adelaide nodded, gazing fondly at her dear friend.
“I believe so, too,” she said.
