Bewitching the Duke

Selina smiled at her. “Of course, Your Grace.” She bowed slightly. “Lovely to meet you ladies.”

With a sigh of relief, she walked toward the refreshment table where Kate stood talking with another young lady. When Kate saw her coming, she smiled.

“Selina, I’m so glad you decided to come.” Kate hugged her. “You must meet a friend of mine. Lady Miranda Richmond, Miss Selina White.”

Lady Miranda smiled. “So good to meet you. Kate has been chattering all evening about you.”

Selina gave Kate a quizzical look. “Lovely to meet you, Lady Miranda.”

The musicians finished a country dance. Both Kate and Lady Miranda glanced about the room. Men made their way to dance with the ladies. A tall, handsome man bowed in front of Lady Miranda and asked for the next dance. She quickly agreed. Another man came up to ask Kate the same thing.

Kate bit her lower lip and slid a glance at Selina. “Perhaps the next dance, Mr. Easton.”

Selina leaned closer to Kate. “Go dance and have fun. I shall be fine here with a little lemonade.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, go.”

“Very well.” Kate linked her arm with Mr. Easton’s and walked toward the dance floor.

“That was very kind of you but now you are alone.”

Selina smiled before she turned to the seductive voice behind her. “I could tell your sister wanted to dance. Soon she will be married so she should enjoy herself.”

“Will you give me the pleasure of this dance?” he asked with his arm held out as if there was no chance she would reject him. And he was right.

“If you don’t mind trampled toes, I would love to dance with you.”

“I will take that chance. I’d heard you had a lesson.”

“A few but I’m not sure how well that will do.”

He smiled over at her. “Just follow my lead.” He looked her over from head to toe. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“I do believe I am about to make every other man in the room envious.”

Heat swept across her cheeks. “I highly doubt that.”

He brought her into his arms. “No, I am definitely dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Chapter 23

“Why are you here?” Colin asked as they danced. He could not believe he was dancing with Selina at a ball. And she danced as if she’d been doing it for years.

“Your sister and mother insisted I come along. They said I could tell people I was a companion for your sister while out in the country.”

“I see.” He had no doubt this was Kate’s way of showing him that Selina could manage quite capably in Society. Not that there was much Society here. But he supposed it was a good way to start.

“I forgot to tell you that Bertha Baker paid a call on me and told me her father is much improved.” Selina smiled up at him causing his heart to pound.

“And her worthless brother?”

“Has not been seen since the day you removed him from your land.”

“Excellent. At least that’s one problem solved.”