Something Scandalous

“Come along, Kendal,” Selby said, inclining his head toward the refreshments. “It is time for you to be part of the ton.”

Selby moved them through the crowd with a nod to several people along the way. They passed the refreshment table but Will managed to grab a glass of wine from a footman before they entered the next room. Several tables had been set up for cards and other games.

As they walked in, most men stopped talking and leveled curious stares at them. Selby made the intr

oduction to some of the most powerful men in England. It suddenly dawned on Will that many would consider him a powerful man in this country.

“I haven’t seen you at Parliament yet,” the Earl of Wexford commented. “I do hope you make it soon. We have many issues that could use a new voice.”

Parliament? He could attend? He’d become so used to America where only the elected officials had anything to do with government.

“I am settled in now so I shall be taking my place in Parliament soon,” Will said to the earl.

“Excellent,” Wexford replied before continuing with his game of cards.

Selby led him back out to the ballroom. “You don’t have any idea what is involved in being a duke, do you?”

“No,” Will admitted.

Selby reached into his jacket pocket and then handed him a card. “Call on me tomorrow and I will help you out.”

“Thank you, Selby.”

Selby nodded. “Unfortunately, we are now onto the moment you shall hate.”

“Oh?”

“It is time to meet the women.”

“And I will hate this?” Will asked.

“Trust me. You will despise them. They all have one thing on their mind: marriage.”

“I see.”

As Selby introduced him to several of the ladies, Will slyly scanned the room for Elizabeth. He finally found her on the dance floor again. Only this time, it was with a tall dark-haired man Will didn’t know. Elizabeth’s face lit with excitement as they danced across the floor.

Who the hell was she dancing with now?

Selby continued to walk with him and introduce him to more ladies. Will made a few requests for dances but his concentration remained on Elizabeth. When the dance finished, she and her partner headed for the terrace doors.

His heart sank to his stomach. But anger quickly swept over him. After making his excuses, he strode toward the terrace. The cool night air did nothing to diminish his fury.

Elizabeth stood near a rosebush whose buds were about to burst open. The man remained next to her, standing too close, and they appeared far too intimate.

With jealousy eating at him, he walked up to Elizabeth and said, “I believe this is our dance.”

He clasped her arm and tugged her toward him.

“Elizabeth?” the man questioned.

“It is all right,” she replied with a shake of her red hair.

As they advanced on the ballroom, she withdrew from his grip. “How dare you?”

“Excuse me?” Will grabbed her arm and led her onto the floor. “I find you out on a darkly lit terrace with a man and you are asking me how I dare?”

“The man happens to be my cousin Nicholas. He decided to surprise me by attending. I was telling him about you.” She yanked her arm out of his hold and headed for the terrace again.