Page 50 of A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

He raised a brow and heat spread all over her skin. Their eyes held and she laughed. Harry grinned, pressing his hand into her back to inch her closer to him. As most things often did, their dance came to an end.

“We should dance the next waltz,” Harry suggested as they stepped down from the dance floor.

“And the one after that,” she agreed. He turned to look at her, a question in his eye. “We are not in London and waltzing thrice should be perfectly acceptable.”

He leaned close to her, his voice caressing her skin. “Everything is acceptable between a man and his wife.”

Before she could respond, Gerard and Drew joined them with Drew tugging on Harry’s sleeve as he said, “I beg your pardon, Bridget, but we must steal him away from you for a moment.”

“I shan’t allow them to keep me for long,” Harry said as they drew him away.

She looked about for Belinda and found her dancing the cotillion, Bridget smiled and moved toward the refreshment table for a drink. No sooner had she reached the table than a voice sounded behind her.

“I see you brought the beast with you,” Magnus spoke.

Chapter 24

Bridget’s fingers tightened on the stem of the glass she had just picked up as she turned slowly to face Magnus.

“What gives you more grief? That he is here or that he is not a beast?”

“Oh, I am not grieved.” His mouth twisted into a smile. “I merely wonder how you bear the shame. Your husband only has half a face to show thetonand his tenants detest him.”

Bridget’s teeth clenched until her temple began to ache. “How dare you?”

“How dare I not? Had you not implied you triumphed over me the last time we met.”

Her hands clenched as she stood rooted in infuriation.

“You—“ He cut himself off and looked past her head, his eyes widening slightly.

She felt Harry’s hand on her back and turned to see him glaring at Magnus. “You are the Viscount of Lore, are you not?” he asked.

“That would be correct.” Magnus jutted his chin and tugged at his waistcoat.

“You should apologize to my duchess.” Harry did not speak loudly but because there was already enough attention on him, a crowd began to gather around them.

“Apologize?” Magnus repeated with disbelief, turning to the guests and saying, “This is preposterous.”

To Bridget’s surprise, everyone regarded him with disapprobation, and his eyes darted about in search of an ally. Seeing Society’s good regard for him beginning to diminish, he turned to Bridget and bowed.

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.”

She knew he did not mean it, and with the guests watching to see how she would react, she turned her face away, refusing to even acknowledge his apology, therefore giving him a cut.

While the crowd murmured, Harry took her hand and led her away. They ventured deep into the gardens in silence until they reached a fountain.

“Would you like to sit?” he asked, motioning at the ledge of the fountain.

“Yes.” Bridget lowered herself onto it and he joined her.

Neither of them said anything for a long moment but he did not let go of her hand.

At last, she spoke. “I was engaged to that man.”

“I know,” he said softly. He had ensured he knew the name and face of the man she had been engaged to before their wedding, and he was glad he had obtained the knowledge because it helped him defend her honor tonight.

He had been filled with trepidation on their arrival but their dance had calmed him. Now, nothing mattered more than her comfort.

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