Something Scandalous

But being in his arms again felt glorious. Even through the silk of her gloves, she could feel the heat from his hands. If only she could take off her gloves and run her hands along his bare skin again.

“You are doing it again,” he whispered.

She shook her head to clear her lascivious thoughts. She must gain some measure of control. As the dance ended, she walked off the dance floor with Will, and then made her excuse to him.

“I need to go to the ladies’ retiring room,” she said.

With a nod, he said, “Of course. Perhaps we can dance again later.”

She couldn’t help but smile at him. “Perhaps.”

Elizabeth knew that she could not dance with him again tonight. Her mind seemed unable to think properly when he was near. And she needed no more ardent daydreams in his arms.

As she walked down the hall to the retiring room, she wondered if Somerton might actually find something about her family. She prayed he would, because the possibility of finding her mother’s diary was getting smaller every day.

She walked in the ladies’ retiring room to find it empty, save for Caroline.

“You do not take my warnings well, do you?” Caroline said, folding her arms over her extended belly.

“Warning? What warning?”

“About the duke. And you were just dancing with him. Have you no sense at all?”

“All you said is he might be my brother. I had not realized that meant I could not dance with him.” Elizabeth moved slightly to get past Caroline.

Caroline placed a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “A dance is innocent enough, but anything more is highly suspect.”

“It really is none of your concern, Caroline.”

“It is my concern if you make a mockery of this family. Your sisters will be hurt, and Richard and I will be also. I will not allow it.” Caroline released her arm but not before giving Elizabeth a tight squeeze.

A sense of fear raced through Elizabeth. She had never seen Caroline quite so venomous.

“You and my sisters have nothing to fear from my behavior.”

“A rumor is a very hard thing to live down, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth had been about to walk out but she stopped and stared at Caroline. “Exactly what rumor, Caroline? The idea that perhaps the duke is my half brother? Hardly scandalous. Nearly half the ton has half siblings. I was born legally to the prior duke. He never repudiated me to the world and that is all that matters.”

Caroline raised one blond eyebrow at her. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you have been intimate with the current duke?”

“That is a lie.”

Caroline tilted her head and gave her a half smile. “Is it, my dear? We both know that many rumors are based in falsehoods, but that does not keep the tongues from wagging.”

Will entered the gaming room and glanced around for a friendly face. Instead, he noticed Richard, once more deep in his cups and losing funds. The man looked old and weary. Perhaps that was what a much younger wife did to a man.

“We should talk,” Somerton said next to him.

“You are the sneakiest man I have ever met. I did not hear you approach.”

Somerton smirked. “That is the way I like it.”

They walked toward the gardens and searched out a private spot. “I could not find anything on Richard other than his recent gambling issues. But that may be just to get away from the shrew he married.”