Page 27 of A Duke to Elude (Sherton Sisters 1)

How did one explain to a duke that he both attracted and repelled her? One didn’t, that’s how. Bel’s chin notched a little bit higher, refusing to give in to the flurry of emotions flooding through her. She would discuss it all with Sally later that night. For now, she just had to brazen it through and survive this never-ending waltz.Why was it lasting so long? Surely it was unusual.

Wexford’s face was tight when she finally mustered the courage to glance at it. He hid his frustration well, but she could see the corners of his mouth and eyes were pinched. His clasp of her hand was also tighter than was necessary for the manoeuvres of the dance.

“I know you were jesting when you said it shouldn’t be a matter of national trust, but it actually is.” His low tone, as usual, caused her brain to fog for a moment, and his words didn’t register at first.

“Is what?” she asked, even though she realized it made her sound like a simpleton, but she couldn’t understand what he was trying to say to her in that moment.

“It is a matter of government business why you were interested in my conversation with Lord Prescott last night.” The exaggerated patience in his voice put her teeth on edge, but her gaze lifted to meet his once more. She searched their depths as best as she could, ignoring the nagging pull of attraction. He was serious.Had the Duke of Wexford lost his mind?She asked him as much.

“Have you gone mad, Your Grace?”

His lips twitched with amusement that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Not in the least, unfortunately. This is deadly serious.”

Rosabel’s mouth was suddenly dry, and it was an internal struggle not to walk away from him at that very moment, but the very real threat of scandal attaching itself not just to her but also to her four younger sisters kept her from doing just that. She managed to do nothing, that is, except the slight widening of her eyes and the hitch in her breath that just could not be helped. She forced a light laugh past her parched throat and, looking past his right ear, she added, “You exaggerate, Your Grace.”

“Actually, I don’t, my lady. If anything, I’m understating the issue.”

He took a deep breath. The puff of his breath as he released it brushed by her ear, adding to Rosabel’s heightened senses. Fear began to fill her, and she fought against a rising panic. She could not allow a scene to ruin her sisters’ chances, but how she desperately wanted to cause one.

“Now, quickly, Lady Rosabel, you must tell me all that you know about Lord Prescott. Why were you looking at him? I know it wasn’t anything to do with me or my appearance.”

“How could you possibly know that?” she countered. “You are a handsome peer of the realm. Young and wealthy and good looking. Surely women have been staring at you since you were born. I can assure you, I know absolutely nothing of national importance about Lord Prescott. And I rather think you are being ridiculous to insist that I do.” There was a brief pause where he merely looked at her, and Rosabel felt as though she were itching under the scrutiny. “Do you suppose there’s something wrong with the musicians? This waltz should surely be over by now.”

Wexford’s lips twitched again, and the severity of his expression lightened but his grip on her didn’t.

“I will call for you early tomorrow, and we will go driving. Not in the Park. We’ll go further afield. That will give us time to talk. It was foolish of me to think I could get you to talk while we danced, no matter how long the waltz might be.”

For a moment Rosabel actually felt faint.

“And if I refuse you when you call?”

“If you’re afraid of scandal attaching itself to your sisters, you won’t,” was all he said in reply.

“Are you prepared for the gossip that will attach itself to the both of us if you’re seen so much in my company?”

“It’ll be less than what there will be if you don’t cooperate, my lady.”

“It’s hardly gentlemanly to threaten me, Your Grace.”

“I’m not threatening you, Rosabel. I’m stating the facts. Be ready by ten.”

“Ten o’clock? No one will even be out of bed at that hour.”

“If you’re hoping to avoid scandal, isn’t that a good thing?”

Finally, mercifully, Rosabel could hear the end to the waltz approaching. She didn’t bother answering him, and she barely sketched him a curtsy as she left him at the end of their dance. Without a backward glance or another word, she walked away from him. They both knew she wouldn’t be able to refuse him if he called for her. They both knew she would be ready even if he actually did call at the shockingly early hour. She didn’t have to say it in words. Tomorrow was going to be humiliation enough. There was slight relief in the fact that he didn’t insist upon it. Thank goodness for small mercies.

---