Tricia wanted to stay where she was. The four of them wrapped in a cocoon of darkness, talking softly and ignoring the rest of the world.
But all too soon, they were exiting the carriage, joining the throng of partygoers all in costume.
“You look beautiful this evening.” Ryker tucked her hand in his elbow as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Thank you, my lord.” She tried to hide the fact that his compliment pleased her. The ivory dress she’d borrowed from Tabbie complimented her skin and hair nicely while accentuating her figure.
He chuckled. “You’re welcome, my lady.” His hip subtly brushed hers.
They entered the crowded ballroom and Tricia tightened her hand on his arm. The crush of people left her breathless. She thought she might actually prefer the quiet of the docklands in the middle of the night. “Oh my,” she breathed.
“Do you like it?” His voice was close to her ear.
She shook her head. “I’d rather face those ne’er do wells again, I think.”
His chuckle reverberated through her as they pressed together in the crowd. Tabbie and Luke were just ahead of them but she was so thankful to have Ryker at her side. “Perhaps you’ll feel differently when we dance.”
With a flick of his wrist, he wrote his name on the first spot on her dance card then whisked her off into the throng of dancers.
As the first strains of the music began, his hand came to her waist. “I’m not terribly fond of these social engagements either. But we’ll suffer through it together.”
Together. She liked the sound of that. She’d never really considered what it might be like to have a partner. Someone to depend upon. But it would have its advantages. Particularly if that someone went about visiting orphanages with her and helped her save her family members.
But Ryker wouldn’t marry her, of course. He’d want a more proper woman for his bride. Not some hooligan who snuck out at night and derailed his own plans.
And she couldn’t be a duchess. It was ridiculous to consider. She had a plan, a good one. A decent one that the duties of a duchess would never allow. “As a duke, mustn’t you attend any numbers of these events?”
His eyes twinkled with a merriment she hadn’t seen from him before but shown clearly through his mask. “No.” A grin spread across his face. “One of the advantages of being a duke is that you have to answer to almost no one.”
A giggle bubbled out of her mouth and her shoulders shook. “Only the Prince Regent.”
“And my wife.” He pulled her just a touch closer. “When I take one.”
Something in her chest caught then, tightening until she felt as though she couldn’t breathe. She attempted to keep the smile on her face that had been so easy just moments before. “Did you have someone in mind?”
“Indeed I do,” he whispered close to her ear. She was glad he couldn’t see her face, leaning as close as he was. If he’d looked into her eyes, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to hide her hurt.
No wonder he’d been so adamant that he keep his identity secret. He didn’t want to ruin his chances with a potential bride. “How fortunate for her,” she chirped trying to make her voice sunnier than she felt. When had she become so attached to Ryker? When had it started to matter that he’d marry?
He laughed again, his lips lightly touching the skin of her ear and it echoed through her body, making her hum with a need that left her breathless. Try as she might, she couldn’t calm her racing heart. Drat, didn’t it understand he’d just said he would marry someone else? “You seem overset, my lady. Perhaps you need a moment on the veranda?”
She nodded, thinking that a little air would help her to compose herself. What had gotten into her? She had a plan. It may not be what most ladies would choose but it suited her. It would never be enough for her to just be a man’s wife. She needed to help people. Besides, even if that wasn’t the case, Ryker could have the most beautiful woman in this room and it surely wasn’t her.
Ryker skillfully maneuvered them through the crowd toward the open doors. As the fresh air hit her face, she filled her lungs, feeling revived. “So much better,” she murmured. There were a great many people outside as well, but there was room to move and fresh air to breathe.
They walked through the throng, down a path where the garden got darker, and no one was around them. “Wait until you see my country estate. The woods are endless, and you can ride about the fields for miles.”
She crinkled her brow, doubting she might ever travel there. Once he was married, his wife surely wouldn’t want her about. “It sounds lovely.”
“I’m glad you think so. There isn’t much of a need for an orphanage, but the county could likely stand to have one.”
She blinked several times. “Orphanage?”
He stopped walking then and, with sure hands, turned them both so their bodies came together. She forgot to think, forgot to breathe as his hands came around her back and his lips dropped to hers. It was like the carriage, only so much better. His lips were strong and sure as they teased and nibbled at hers and she found herself pressing closer, eager for more of their touch.
He obliged her by sliding her lips apart and gently touching his tongue to hers. Sparks lit behind her eyes as she gasped in a breath. Her belly filling with a need that begged to be filled.
When he finally lifted his head, his hand came to grasp her cheek, his thumb swiping across her tingling lips. “That was glorious.”