Page 52 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Chapter Seventeen

Lord Aubrey smileddown at her. “You have told me an untruth, Lady Catherine.” His blue eyes twinkled at her. “You are a marvelous dancer.”

Her cheeks heated at the compliment. “I used to love to dance. I broke my leg, though, several years ago. I haven’t danced since then. Though it mended, when I am tired it causes me to limp.”

“I’m sorry that happened. Amanda told me of the accident. My condolences to you. I can’t imagine losing both of my parents.”

“It was... difficult.”

“Would you like to take a walk in the park with me tomorrow afternoon?” he asked as he swept her into a turn. “Or if your leg tires easily, we can drive.”

He was being far too kind to her. She knew Amanda had instructed him to spend time with her but asking her to the park tomorrow was unnecessary. “Lord Aubrey, you have more than done your duty tonight. I know your sister asked you to dance with me.”

“She did,” he admitted. “ButIam the one asking you to accompany me to the park tomorrow.”

“Why?” she asked, bewildered that he would want to be in her company.

“Why?” He laughed. “Because I am interested in you, Lady Catherine.”

She felt her blush deepening. “My lord, look around your ballroom. There are dozens of young ladies here for you to choose from. Why would you ask me and not one of them? You know how thetonis. Once you’re seen paying attention to a woman outside a scheduled event, tongues will wag. You don’t need your name coupled with mine when there are so many eligible women for you to pursue this Season.”

His intent gaze almost caused her to stop dancing. Catherine swallowed, her mouth dry.

“I see I’m not making myself clear. Iaminterested in you. Iwantto see you tomorrow.” He tightened his hand around hers. “The question is, are you interested in being seen with me?”

“That... would be nice,” she said primly.

Aubrey laughed. “I want to get to know you better, Lady Catherine. None of these young misses have anything on you. Already, we’ve had more conversation between us than I’ll have the rest of the evening.”

She laughed. “You mean you might tire of talking of the weather or contemplating if the lemonade is too tart or too sweet?”

“Exactly.”

The music ended and he escorted her from the dance floor. As he did, he asked, “Do you have any more dances available tonight?”

“I’m afraid not,” she said with regret.

“Who is your partner for the supper dance?”

Catherine consulted her programme. “Lord Burleigh.”

“Burleigh? He’ll bore you to death over supper. Leave it to me. I’ll tell him you’re an old friend of the family and Mother wishes you to sit with the family. In fact, I’ll make sure to claim you for the supper dance and lead you to our table.”

“You can’t do that,” she insisted.

“My parents are hosting this ball. Tonight, I can do as I please.” He took her hand and kissed her fingers and bowed. “Till later.”

As he retreated, Morefield brought Charlotte to Catherine’s side.

“Aubrey certainly seemed interested in you,” her friend remarked. “You talked almost the entire dance.”

“He asked me to drive with him in the park tomorrow.”

Charlotte’s eyes lit with glee. “I’m so happy for you.”

Catherine frowned. “I have no lady’s maid, though. No one to chaperone us. If I ask a maid to accompany me, it would anger Statham.”

“An even better reason for you to move in with us during the Season.” Charlotte looked to her husband. “Morefield, you must speak to Statham tonight. Man to man. He would probably turn Catherine’s request down out of spite. Coming from you, though, he will see the advantage to having his cousins under someone else’s roof.” She smiled at her husband. “Morefield can be quite persuasive.”

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