Page 6

She desperately searched for words but found none.

“Now, I say again, be more careful in the future, kitten.”

His eyes darkened as he brought his hand up to cup her face. Jenny’s eyes fluttered shut as she tilted her head towards his hand on instinct, hoping to feel his touch on her cheek. But he dropped his hand at her movement. She opened her eyes just in time to see a look of surprise flashing across his face, before turning into anger.

She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off.

“Don’t make me tell you again—I hate repeating myself. Stay out of darkened rooms, kitten.”

The man abruptly turned around and stormed out the door, leaving her staring at the empty space in front of her.

Jenny could hear her heartbeat in her ears. She felt dizzy. One moment she wanted to engage with this stranger, the next she was fearful of his intentions. Next, he seemed as if he was going to kiss her twice, yet both times he backed away. Her head spun with the insanity of it all.

After a few deep breaths, she decided she had enough of meeting strangers in dark rooms and made her way back to the ballroom.

That was definitely enough excitement for one night. Hopefully, the rest of her evening would pass without any more disruptions.

The bright lights in the ballroom made David squint as he searched for the exit. It was time to bid farewell to the hostess and get the hell out of there. Normally, he didn’t waste his time with these elaborate soirées, but he lost a game of cards to the Earl of Staunton, and instead of wagering coin, the Earl made everyone who lost to him come to one of his wife’s events. This was David’s night to come.

He was positive the blasted man cheated.

He spotted the Countess at the door talking with a couple who looked eager to leave.

“My Lady,” he interrupted. “I beg your pardon, but I must get going. I have some business to attend to.” He nodded his apologies to the woman, trying to make a quick escape.

“Oh, soon so?” Her hand flew out to bar him from the door. “Have I introduced you to the Duke and Duchess of Pilton?

He reached out his hand to the Duke. “Yes, we’ve met plenty of times at the club.”

Pilton took his hand and shook it. “Nice to see you again.”

David nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“Their Graces are going home to their beautiful baby boy,” Lady Staunton gushed.

“How nice.”

David had no idea why the Countess was telling him this. He eyed the couple. Pilton tugged at his cravat like it personally offended him, and his wife looked ready to stab the woman if she didn’t get out of her way and let them leave. The three of them eyed the door while the Countess rambled on.

“You know, I was the one who introduced this lovely couple.” She laid her hand on his arm. His jaw ticked at the connection. He was not one for people touching him.

The Duchess of Pilton tried to hide a snort behind her fan. “Something like that. We met at one of Lady Staunton’s infamous dinner parties. My husband was ever so charming and spilled his drink on me.”

Her laughter was soft and endearing.

If his mind wasn’t whirling from the encounter he just had, David may have been curious about the Duchess and the Duke’s relationship. It wouldn’t be the first time he entertained a bored wife. However, a slip of a woman with enough bravado to take down a fleet of men had seized his thoughts.

The Countess bristled. “Oh, it was more than that. I knew it the moment I saw the two of you seated next to each other that there was something there.” She scrunched up her face and teasingly pointed at the couple.

David rocked back on his heels. “Well, sounds like it was a magical evening. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go?—”

“Nonsense,” the Countess said while taking his arm. “Did you know that His Grace has a younger sister?Andshe’s here tonight.”

David groaned inwardly. He may have lost a bet to her husband, but he made good and showed up. He drew the line at being paired up with some giggly girl who had the common sense of a walnut.

“Now, I know you have a certain reputation, but isn’t it time you thought about settling down?”

He raised an eyebrow at the Countess’s forwardness. He looked to the Duke and Duchess for assistance, but he found only amused faces observing their exchange. They were enjoying this.