Page 13 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

“Not a bit,” she replied. “It’s the first waltz of the evening. I enjoy dancing to it.”

As he clasped her right hand and slid his arm about her, he said, “Tonight, so do I.” Amusement twinkling in his emerald eyes as he swept her away.

Right away, she noted his skill as a dancer. His grasp on her was light and yet firm at the same time. Effortlessly, he steered her along the polished floor, twirling her about so that her skirts billowed. For a moment, Catherine could have sworn she was floating, not dancing. As they continued, she felt the warmth of his hand against the small of her back as well as in their joined hands. He held her slightly closer than he should have, causing her breasts to brush against his muscled, broad chest. Her nipples puckered and she ached to rub them against him. The thought shocked her and, yet, it seemed exactly what she needed to do. His clean, masculine scent filled her with every breath she took.

“You are a delight to dance with, Lady Catherine.” Those green eyes gleamed at her with interest.

“I already knew you were a skilled dancer. I observed you earlier dancing with Lady Amanda.”

“I haven’t seen Amanda in a good ten years. She’s grown into quite a beauty.” His mouth moved to her ear. “But she cannot hold a candle to you.” His lips grazed her earlobe and then moved away.

Something unknown rippled through Catherine. Something she had no name for. Unless it was...desire. She clutched his fingers more tightly and his low chuckle confirmed she was right in her thinking. Butterflies exploded in her belly.

“Lady Amanda is quite taken with your friend, Morefield,” she said breathlessly.

He nodded sagely. “Morefield can be a bit reserved. I will let him know. It will boost his confidence. He’s a fine man. Amanda could not do better than Eric. He would make an excellent husband and father, as she would wife and mother. I can tell he’s ready to settle into matrimony.”

“And what of you, Lord Sather? Are you at the Marriage Mart to browse for a wife?” she asked boldly.

His arm tightened about her.” I hadn’t thought so,” he said carefully. “I’m only twenty-three. That’s why I wanted to see a bit of the world after I graduated from Cambridge last year.” He gave her a long look as the music died. “My father and grandmamma encouraged me to come tonight. I’m a bit of a loner and they wish for me to mix more into society.”

Catherine was aware of others passing by them yet Jeremy St. Clair made no move to release her.

“To answer your question, my lady? My position may have changed, thanks to the company I’m keeping.”

With that, he slowly released her and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I believe supper awaits us.”

As if walking on air, Catherine glided along beside him toward the room where the buffet had been laid out.

*

Jeremy heard theclock chime midnight as he escorted Catherine Crawford to a table away from the large ones in the center of the room. The one he chose was in a corner and seated only two. She placed her reticule on it.

“Do you have anything particular you enjoy?” he asked, wanting to please her with choices from the buffet.

Those magnificent blue eyes lit up. “I know I’m not supposed to reveal this to a gentleman but I adore eating, especially if sweets are involved.” She hesitated a moment and then asked, “Might I accompany you?”

“An excellent idea,” he proclaimed, glad to remain in her company even going through the buffet line.

They joined a queue at the nearest table, where a group of servants doled out whatever was requested. His companion passed on the white soup and chicken but asked for both sliced ham and poached salmon. She only wanted a few glazed carrots and then the rest of her plate became heavy with cheeses and desserts.

“A large helping of the trifle, please,” she instructed a maid. “And plenty of the dry cake, too.” She leaned toward him, placing a hand on his forearm. “I drown it in strawberries and whipped cream.” She had the maid scoop sliced strawberries atop the pound cake and then asked for three large spoonfuls of cream to rest atop it.

“And one piece of the pie. I’d like more but I might burst.”

“I’ll ask for two different kinds and you may share a few bites from my plate,” he suggested.

Armed with their supper, he led her back to the corner. Placing their plates down, he seated her.

“I’ll return with something for us to drink. Madeira? Ratifia? Lemonade?”

“Lemonade would be nice. It’s rather warm in here.”

“If you’d like, we can stroll outside in the evening air once we dine.”

Jeremy left, unsure why he’d mentioned a stroll. He had no business taking up Lady Catherine’s time. She was a beautiful woman in search of a husband. He wasn’t husband material. He didn’t want a wife, much less need one. He had no plans of having any children and that was the only reason to take a wife.

Yet something called out to his very soul every time he gazed at her, causing his heart to soar and making him flirt with her.

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