Bewitching the Duke

This time she did giggle. “My reputation? I didn’t know I even had one.”

He gave a quelling look. “All women have a reputation. It’s best to keep it as sterling as possible.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The slight breeze felt wonderful on her face. She took a seat on a bench overlooking the gardens. She had such an urge to take off her slippers and run in the dewy grass. That would not help her reputation.

“Don’t even think about it,” he warned.

“What are you talking about?”

“Walking in the grass barefoot.”

She looked up at him with her mouth gaping. “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

He reached out and skimmed the back of his hand down her jaw. “I do believe I know quite a bit about you, Miss White.”

“As do I you.”

“Yes, you do.”

Far too quickly, they returned to the ballroom and the duchess insisted she dance with several other young men. Even as she danced with them, she wanted to be back in Colin’s arms. Jealousy streaked through her when she noticed him take a lady out on the dance floor. Was that how he’d felt when she danced with other men?

She didn’t like the sensation at all. But she knew she couldn’t dance with him any more tonight. The duchess had warned her against accepting more than two dances with the same gentleman. Even two dances might be encouraging a suitor.

And yet, she had danced twice with Colin.

After her last dance, she returned to the refreshment table and picked up a glass of wine. Kate made her way through the crush toward her. She plucked a glass of rapidly warming lemonade and sipped it slowly.

“This is awful,” Kate said, placing the glass back on the table.

“The wine is much better.”

“Mother has told me never to drink spirits at a ball. She’s afraid I will cause a scandal.”

“I am far more likely to cause a scandal than you,” Selina replied with a laugh. “You at least understand all the inane rules of Society.”

Kate dismissed her comment with a wave of her hand. “You will have no problem learning them too.”

Selina slowly turned toward her friend. “Why would I need to? While this has been wonderful, this is my first and last ball.”

“The gentlemen in the room can’t take their eyes off you. They will be paying calls on you as soon as they can. The house will be loaded with flowers and gifts for you.”

She clutched Kate’s arm. “I do not want any of that. Is that why you brought me here? To gain a fashionable husband?”

“Of course not,” Kate said with a laugh.

“Then why?”

“To make my brother jealous.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kate shook her head and then sipped her lemonade again. “It is apparent to everyone that he is in love with you. Mother and I thought he should see that you are his equal. No one in the room has dismissed you or given you the cut direct.”

Selina’s world was tilting. Did Colin love her? It was far too mad an idea to consider.

Before she could think about it further, she caught sight of him walking toward them. “May I have this dance?”