Page 51 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

A warm rush ran through Jeremy. If he put a name to it, he might have called it joy.

“Charlotte’s tasked me to help fill Catherine’s dance card.”

He smiled broadly. “I will take every available dance.”

Morefield shook his head. “You don’t understand. Countess Lieven spoke to Lady Catherine a few moments ago. Suddenly, men flocked to her. I’m sure her card is filled by now. You’re too late.”

“What!” He eyed his friend. “Then give me your spot. I’m sure you are one of her partners.”

“I’ll be happy to, Everton. It’s the second of the evening.”

He placed a hand on Morefield’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Good luck, Jeremy. I know... what she meant to you.”

The orchestra began tuning their instruments and Morefield flashed him a smile and departed. Exhilaration filled him. He was free. Free to dance with Catherine. Free to ask for her hand. He paused. It wouldn’t do to get ahead of himself. While she’d crept into his thoughts daily over the years, he had no idea if she still possessed any interest or feelings toward him.

How could she not? He still remembered that wonderful supper conversation. Their time together on the terrace. The feel of her in his arms as he held her, her perfume wafting in the air.

Their kiss.

She had to remember him. She had to.

Jeremy stepped into the ballroom, his eyes sweeping across the floor. Only three couples stood in the center and he recalled the Rutherford custom of family opening the ball before others joined in. He spied Amanda and her husband, Stanley. She still retained her figure despite having given birth to a son. Lord and Lady Rutherford stood in the center and the earl nodded brusquely, causing the music to strike up. Aubrey faced Jeremy’s direction and he regretted their friendship had gone by the wayside.

Then his jaw dropped as Aubrey twirled with his partner. He was dancing with a beautiful redhead. Her deep, auburn hair gleamed and her rich, sapphire dress hugged every curve.

It was Catherine Crawford.

Jeremy took three steps toward the dance floor and forced himself to stop. He couldn’t charge across a ballroom full of guests and claim Catherine in the middle of a dance. He was trying to avoid scandal and repair his reputation, not add fuel to the fire. Stepping back, he watched the couple with envy as they conversed while they danced. The years had only added to Catherine’s poise. She was more beautiful now than she’d been as that young woman he’d met the day he’d returned from his Grand Tour.

He waited patiently for the music to end. Minutes from now, he would hold the woman he’d loved for years in his arms.

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