Page 5

"Perhaps her family has only just come into a title," his friend mused, "Or she doesn't come from the peerage. A businessman's daughter, if I were to guess. The dowager duchess will know her. She knows everybody."

Victor scoffed, "I would much rather put up an advertisement in the newspaper demanding the lady's identity than ask my mother. I do hope she did not see that exchange."

The other man let out a bark of laughter, "No one will be so cruel to push that sharp-mouthed lady on you, least of all your mother. I'm sure she already has her hands full with Georgianna, and she will not want a daughter-in-law who will only encourage your sister."

The Duke shuddered at the thought of it. When he was ready to take a wife, it would be someone submissive and biddable. He had just about had enough of exasperating women.

"There you are, Victor."

Speaking of the Devil.

He turned to his mother with a smile fixed on his face, "Mother, how nice to see you. Where is Georgie?"

She pointed toward the dance floor, and he followed her finger to where a gentleman was twirling his sister. The Duke didn't recognize the man, but if his mother was letting her dance with him, then he must have passed muster.

"How delightful," he said honestly.

"Your Grace," Patrick bowed.

"Do you need something, Mother?" Victor asked.

"May I introduce you to Lady Hannah," his mother began just as a dark-haired woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "She's the last daughter of the countess of Farhall. Lady Hannah, the Duke of Wyld."

Victor stiffened. He should have suspected that his mother would pull a trick like this. It was just like her always to get her way.

"Your Grace," Lady Hannah dropped into a curtsy.

"My lady," he said, "how do you do?"

"I believe that is my cue to leave you two," Lord Dillon smirked at his friend, enjoying the mildly annoyed look he was trying to hide.

The look the Duke shot Patrick was a desperate plea for him to stay, but the man just chuckled and walked off.

A worse friend than Lord Dillon, the Duke would be hard-pressed to find in the whole of England.

The lady batted her lashes at him and giggled, and he bit back his groan.

"I believe I can hear the first strains of the waltz," the older woman said meaningfully, "Do you enjoy dancing, Lady Hannah?"

The woman smiled shyly at the Duke, "I am a most accomplished dancer."

"How perfect then," the Dowager Duchess cooed.

"Shall we, my lady?" Victor asked the woman with a smile he didn't feel.

She placed her smaller hand into his and he led her out to the dance floor, ignoring his mother's look of triumph.

If she thought that she had successfully thrust him into the marriage mart, she was going to very disappointed. He was going to dance with Lady Hannah but that was all.

The lady looked content to stay quiet for the rest of the dance, a placid smile on her face.

"What are your interests, my lady?" he asked, trying not to wince at his own predictable question.

"I embroider, I play the pianoforte and I'm interested in building a family," she recited mechanically.

The Duke wondered how many times she had had to give that reply.

"How wonderful," he smiled at her.