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William watched as the women spoke over themselves while trying to charm his friend, who only seemed amused by their attempts. He did not envy his friend the burden of dealing with as much attention as he was getting, but as he saw the wicked amusement his friend was deriving from their futile efforts, he quickly withdrew his pity.

“May I introduce you to my bosom friend, the Duke of Mayfield,” he heard Theo say suddenly.

William narrowed his eyes at him in warning, but the damned man draped an arm over his shoulder.

“We were brother in arms, and now we are both dukes,” Theo went on, undeterred by William’s glare.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” the ladies greeted, curtseying.

William nodded once but said nothing.

Their eyes widened, and he watched several emotions flitter across their face as they considered how best to steer the conversation in their favor.

“Do you enjoy picnics, Your Grace?” Lady Diana asked boldly. “My father is organizing a picnic at our estate in a week’s time.”

Her eyes were wide with fear, even though her posture was stiff with her brave attempt to make conversation.

“I do not have time for such frivolities,” William answered gruffly, wanting to shoot down any further attempts.

“Why ever not?” she pressed. “They are anintimateway of getting acquainted.”

He frowned at the emphasis. “I am very particular about the company I keep.”

“Why is that, Your Grace?” she asked, visibly confused. “Surely you do not think my family that far beneath you.”

He did not answer.

“You are indeed very rude, Sir, and I will not stand for it” she cried, turning up her nose. “I shall take my leave. Good day to you.”

He watched her go. She was red in the face and neck with anger, her friends hurrying after her to comfort her. He wondered how the conversation could have taken such a horrible turn.

“We will need to improve your?—”

“I know,” William interrupted, not needing to hear he was lacking again.

“I’m not sure you do,” Theo retorted with a frown. “That should have been an easy conversation. I would not have introduced you if I did not think you could handle it.”

“Leave me be, Emerton.”

“I am only trying to show concern for you, Mayfield,” Theo argued. “You can only play the wounded veteran for so long. You are a duke, and it’s high time you remember that.”

William wanted to argue but kept his thoughts to himself as another group of ladies approached them. This time, he was in no mood to attempt another conversation that would no doubt go as horribly as the previous one. He made an excuse, then stepped out of the ballroom and into the hallway leading to the rest of the house. Hearing voices ahead, he opened the first door he saw and slipped inside, sighing in relief when he found himself in an empty chamber.

He waited until the footsteps retreated before stepping away from the door, allowing himself to take in his surroundings.

The room was large and sparsely furnished, but considering the part of the house it was in, it must be a guest chamber, even though he did not see any personal effects.

He spotted a large balcony ahead and stepped outside, breathing in the cool night air deeply and allowing it to rid him of the negative feelings that had been amassing in him all evening.

He had attended the party in the hope of finding a distraction from the melancholy of his everyday life, but with the weight of being back in Society with people who were mostly like his younger self and his father, he realized he wasn’t at all ready.

How do the others do it?

They had said that with time, he would find it easier, but it had been six months, and he still was unable to get rid of his anxiety about how the joyous frivolities could turn chaotic with one mishap.

He held on to the balustrade, gripping it tightly enough to quell his unease. He had promised Theo he would stay until it was polite to leave, but he was seriously contemplating the idea of begging off the party as he felt the beginnings of a headache.

The door to the chamber opened suddenly and closed so quickly that he wondered if he had overstepped by being in the chamber. He turned to go back into the room to announce his presence, but upon hearing a feminine sigh, he stopped, frowning.