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“They certainly did notice.”

“All anyone noticed is how beautiful you are, and all anyone thought is how lucky I am that I am the gentleman who takes this creature home, and knows what lies underneath this dress.”

My cheeks burned, and my face erupted into a smile. “Have I ever told you that you are insatiable?”

“You have, and you are correct.” Without missing a step, he lowered his mouth to my forehead, planting a soft kiss there. “With you, I am forever undone, Evie. Forever wanting and yearning for more.”

I melted against him, and the dance went on, before themusic swelled into yet another waltz, then another, and before I knew it, we had been dancing for over an hour, and my feet began to ache. My throat burned with thirst as Azriel escorted me from the dance floor, back to the seat beside Lady Grantham.

“Shall I fetch you some more champagne?” Azriel asked, and I nodded.

“Please, I am parched.”

Lady Grantham clutched my hand with a giggle as Azriel left us. “You two are a fine prospect. My goodness, did you see everyone watching you?”

I unfolded my fan, trying to cool my heated skin. “I think everyone was rather thinking what a spectacle we are.”

“Oh hush.” Lady Grantham playfully slapped my arm. “There is no spectacle here tonight, just plenty of fun to be had, and a new year in a few hours! Imagine what the morning could bring!”

“CAINE!”

The music stopped, one instrument at a time, falling away as the crowd around us went silent, looking about them to pinpoint where the furious voice had come from.

“MISTER. AZRIEL. CAINE.”

My stomach dropped, and Lady Grantham clutched my hand tightly.

“What is happening?” She squeaked.

The murmuring crowd parted somewhat, allowing me a view of the door.

There stood a man, a snow-dusted coat draped over him, his hat still on his head. His face was twisted with rage, lips pulled downwards as he scanned the room. My eyes dropped to his hand, and I saw he still held his riding crop.

“MR AZRIEL CAINE!”He bellowed again, the room stunned into silence.“SHOW YOURSELF.”

Movement, as Azriel slowly walked through the crowdtowards this man and his blanched face. Shocked eyes followed his advance, and Lady Grantham murmured something beside me I could no longer hear over the roaring in my ears.

“Fitzwilliam,” Azriel said calmly, stopping several feet away from the man. “You are looking for me?”

“You cad.” The man’s head was shaking, so filled with rage was he. His white knuckles tightened around the riding crop. “You utter swine.”

Lord Grantham rushed to Azriel’s side, hands held up. “Now, now, de la Croix, I am sure there has been some misunderstanding.”

“There has been no misunderstanding,” the man growled, and pointed the riding crop at Azriel. “This rat, this foul scrub, defiled my wife.”

Gasps rose from the room, hands flying to mouths, fans fluttering to cover shocked expressions. I clutched on to my fan so tightly I was sure I would snap it in two.

Azriel’s face remained the picture of calm. “Fitzwilliam, you are making a spectacle in this fine house.”

“I don’t care what I am doing right now, you, sir, defiled my wife, and I shall have justice!”

The room erupted into tittering, hushed exclamations delivered behind fans and hands, some glances straying to me. Lady Grantham tutted, patting my hand.

“Outrageous,” she muttered.

Lord Grantham looked uncertainly at Azriel. “I am sure Mr Caine would not-”

“I have the proof of it!” The man, this de la Croix, took a step forward, teeth bared and shaking his fist. “You, Caine, you left my wife with child!”