Page 89 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

“So are you still angry with my friend?”

Joane smiled. She looked at Emma who had her eyes on Lord James. She turned to look at the couple dancing in the middle of the hall. The Duke could really dance; his feet were deft, wasting no movement.

The dance soon ended. The Duke bowed stiffly to the applauding audience and walked back to his position, his wife in tow. The music started again, signaling for the others to commence their dance. Joane saw William lead Esther to the center of the hall. Someone was drawing her hand; she turned and saw that Lord James had left Emma and was taking her to the center of the floor for a dance. After he had her set, Joane turned back to look at Emma. Emma looked terribly displeased.

“Why did you pick me to dance with? Why didn’t you pick Emma?” she asked him.

“I and Emma will have a hundred other dances. We’ll probably have one before we leave today but right now, please allow me this dance,” Lord James replied.

He bowed to her and held her hands in the right stance. He moved with fluidity, easing Joane into his steps. He danced with purpose and efficiency, not one flick going to waste. Joane looked into his eyes and saw intense concentration.

“You stare at me with very bold eyes,” Lord James said.

Joane smiled.

His captured her attention but was nothing like William. She turned her neck, checking for William out of the side of her eye. She saw him at the far left, holding Esther on her waist; his hand lay just above her buttock. She knew the power that lay in that grip, the ease with which he had lifted her by her buttock. She saw the serious set of his eyes, those eyes that could heat her up by just a stare. He turned to look at her, meeting her gaze with incredible intensity.

His eyes were hungry. He was looking down from her face; his gaze had stopped at her breasts. Joane moved backwards from Lord James; giving him more to look at. His mouth didn’t move but Joane knew what wonders those lips could do. Her nipples tingled beneath her gown.

They remember how he nibbled on them, making them ache even more.

The music slowed and William drew Esther closer to him. Joane felt Lord James draw her closer too. She placed her face on his hard shoulder, taking solace in the familiar stolidity that it provided while her mind roamed to the solidity that William’s chest had provided.

William.

Joane could not wait for the dance to end. She could not wait for William to approach her.

Chapter 19

Two Love Pairs

The music had slowed considerably.

It’s going to end soon

Joane leaned over Lord James’ shoulder.She looked back to where Emma was at the beginning of the dance, she wasn’t there anymore. Lord James turned her around. Joane stepped back and twirled as his body commanded. She looked over his shoulder again and saw Emma. Emma was staring at them: Lord James and her, with a longing in her eyes.

Longing for what?

“Lord James,” she said gently.

Lord James drew her closer, pulling her mouth close to his ear.

“Yes, Miss Joane.”

“Did you do anything to Emma?” she asked.

Lord James laughed, his hands shook as he held her.

“Why do you ask that?” he said.

Joane looked at her friend again. She had removed her gaze from them but was standing as if waiting for the dance to end. Joane saw a finely dressed man walk to her and engage her in a conversation.

Is he asking her to dance?

Emma shook her head, sending the man off just as quickly as he came. She looked back at Joane and Lord James, this time catching Joane’s eyes. She tried smiling but it didn’t come off right. She ended up looking pained. Joane mouthed to her friend.

“What is wrong?”