Page 35 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

She smiled and it almost made her pretty. “I w-would like that. Very much.”

He lifted her gloved hand and kissed it. “I will return for you when it’s the supper dance.”

Jeremy looked to Countess Lieven and saw she watched them with interest. She nodded.

After a few minutes, he made his way in the direction of the Patronesses. When he reached the ambassador’s wife, she motioned for him to come close.

“Lady Mary is a sweet girl. A bit on the nervous side but I’m sure you will make her feel welcomed into the St. Clair family, Everton.”

“Thank you for your help, Countess. Would you be so kind as to point out Lady Mary’s father to me?”

Her eyes swept across the room and stopped. “There. In the group of three men to the left of that doorway.”

“The thin one on the left?” he ventured, seeing the daughter was a replica of the father, only female.

“Yes, that’s the Earl of Seabrooke. He lost his wife several years ago. Lady Mary is his only child.” She looked at him steadily. “That should make your task easier, Everton. The earl will want the daughter he dotes on settled, especially since his title will pass to his nephew upon his death.”

Jeremy nodded. “Thank you for your help in this venture, Countess.”

“Even if it’s a small wedding, I expect to be invited to it,” she replied.

“As Cor’s good friend, you should expect an invitation. Soon.”

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