Page 15

"And why, pray tell, would you do something as terrible as deprive society of your charms?"

Judging by the fact that his eyes had not yet shifted away from her breasts, she knew exactly what charms he meant.

"Because people like you exist," she said so sweetly that it took him a while to process that she had just insulted him.

He jerked, trying to pull away but she held on tight. "I'm thirsty, I shall like to have a drink now," then just as she released him, the dance ended and she walked away, leaving him wide eyed behind her.

"How did it go?" her aunt asked her.

She swept her gaze over the crush, searching for a familiar head of red, "Oh it was nice."

Her aunt introduced her to a naval hero next and he asked her to dance. She readily accepted and let Sir Richard take her out to the floor.

"... And I practice discipline in my daily life. When I get married, my wife will be an extension of me and must learn to comport herself in public in a manner befitting my status."

Her first thought of his was that he was pompous and the second was that he loved the sound of his own voice a little bit too much.

"Hmmm," she nodded at him, "I-"

"Another thing to note-"

"I have no interest in knowing what rules, regulations and restrictions you shall impose on your future bride as I am not in the running for such a position," she cut in. He hadn't let her get in a word edge wise and she was sick of him.

"My feet hurt and I think I shall go sit down," she announced, "best of luck on your search."

She left him as slack jawed as she had left the Earl earlier.

"What happened? I can see the captain walking away," Lady Hartfield strained her neck to catch a glimpse of the man.

Lavinia shrugged, "something urgent came up."

Suspicion clouded the woman's eyes and she fixed her gaze on Lavinia's for a moment before turning away with a sigh. "Come let me introduce you to..." she trailed off, as her eyes caught something, "Oh goodness gracious, I see Lady Amarinthe with the Duke of Wyld."

Lavinia's heart gave a painful thud in her chest, "W-what!" she croaked, "a duke?"

"Come along now," she grabbed her wrist with an excited smile splitting her face.

"Your Grace, Lady Amarinthe," her aunt curtsied and Lavinia followed suit, trying to keep her eyes downcast so as not to meet the man's.

"Have you met His Grace, The Duke of Wyld?" Lady Amarinthe smiled, "Your Grace, The Countess of Hartfield and her niece Miss Proctor."

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace," Lavinia said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, is that a waltz starting up?" Lady Amarinthe asked, "You young people should dance. I need to talk to you, Hartfield."

Lavinia couldn't breathe. Was this really happening? She hadn't planned to run into the Duke tonight or any other night anymore. Two run-ins had to have been enough for fate.

The Livingston ball was one of the lower rank events and she assumed he would only be found in much more exclusive events.

He was as large and as striking as ever and he was staring down at her with amusement carved into his features.

"Shall we?" He held out his hand to her.

She didn't want to. Not at all. In fact, she was tempted to cry off for a completely made up reason. Unfortunately for her though, this was the young, eligible Duke and the whole room was watching them.

If she dared embarrass a man of his standing, she would be torn apart in seconds.

With a tight smile, Lavinia placed her gloved hands in his. A spark of electricity shot up her hand. She had never felt such a thing before and before she could yank her hand away in shock, his hand tightened around hers and he shot her a warning glance.