Page 27 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

M onths later

Ardeerton House,

London home of the Duke and Duchess of Pelham

It never mattered to Dane whether people thought him arrogant and aloof. Truthfully, he enjoyed such a reputation. It allowed him leeway in all of his social obligations. Yet tonight, he was his most gracious and charming self as he welcomed all of the members of his Millionaires Club and the ton into his home—he stood corrected— their home for the first annual Duchess of Pelham ball.

Next to him, his duchess stood and warmly welcomed their guests. She looked stunning in the Pelham parure of emeralds. If others saw him as a lovesick fool, he embraced the title. He became more of one with every day spent with Grace. Finally, he understood what his best friends, Ravenscroft and Trafford, had tried to convey to him—the world did revolve around their wives. He would even dare to say the entire universe did, but he didn’t want to get distracted—at least not tonight, as it was to honor his bride, his beautiful Grace.

“Welcome, Grayson.” He shook the marquess’s hand. “Grace and I are delighted you and your marchioness could join us this evening.” The Marquess of Grayson was an old friend from Eton who had recently become his newest member of the Millionaires Club.

“Beth and I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” The marquess leaned in. “We had to meet the woman who brought the mighty Duke of Pelham to his knees.”

Dane laughed. “Let me share a secret, old man. She was destined to be my duchess all along.”

Grayson looked fondly at his wife. “I feel the same.” He turned to Dane and smiled. “We’re lucky men.”

Dane nodded in agreement as the marquess stepped away to join his marchioness.

“It seems as if Pippa is enjoying herself even if she isn’t dancing,” Grace murmured in between welcoming guests.

Dane quickly located his youngest sister and smiled fondly. In several months, Pippa would deliver her and Ravenscroft’s first child. Pippa ignored society’s strict rule that a woman shouldn’t appear at events late in their pregnancy. Nothing would keep her from celebrating tonight.

The same was true for his eldest sister, Honoria. She was waltzing with her husband and laughing at something he said. He’d never seen his sister so joyful and full of life. And it was because of Trafford.

“Look at Honoria,” Grace pointed to the dance floor and smiled. “She’s glowing.” Grace’s warm laugh echoed around him like Christmas bells. “Trafford, too.”

“Indeed.” Dane pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. “Our family is growing.”

“Do you think there’s room for one more?” Grace asked, then turned her attention to their next guest.

Dane tilted his head as he contemplated his duchess’s words. He continued to greet the next rush of guests but didn’t linger in conversation. He had to get to the bottom of this mystery before he and Grace descended the ballroom steps and danced together for their guests. Then, the ball would begin in earnest.

He smiled at a young viscount and his viscountess but couldn’t remember their names. As soon as they passed, Dane leaned near his wife and whispered, “What did you mean?”

“I’ll tell you in a bit,” she murmured in return, then her face broke into a huge smile. “Welcome, Lord and Lady Marbury.”

Athena grinned as she placed a protective hand over her stomach. “It’s so good to see you both.” Athena’s gaze bounced between the two of them. “I can tell marriage agrees with both of you.”

“It does.” Grace leaned in and hugged her. “It seems to agree with you as well. How’s the baby?”

Athena blushed prettily. “Relentless in his kicking.”

“He must take after you, wife.” Marbury beamed. The earl leaned toward Dane as Grace and Athena continued chatting. “I can never repay you for coming to see me that day. She’s my world, and I almost lost her.”

Dane gripped his shoulder and squeezed. “Later, let us toast to our good fortune.”

Marbury nodded. “I would like that.”

Dane greeted Athena and kissed her on her cheek. “You look happy, my dear.”

“I am,” she said. “Thank you.”

“For?” Dane’s brow furrowed.

“For ignoring Jasper’s matchmaking efforts.” She glanced fondly at her husband.

“It was my pleasure.” Dane offered an elegant bow.

As the last guests arrived, Dane took Grace’s hand and escorted her to the top of the stairs. “Now, what was that about adding another?”

Grace turned to him and took his hands in hers. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Few things could make him speechless, but his wife’s announcement topped the list.

“Darling, close your mouth,” Grace whispered. “People are staring.”

“I don’t care about them.” Dane dropped a hand on her flat stomach. “Are you sure?”

Grace nodded. “The midwife stopped by today and confirmed it. In about seven or eight months, you’ll become a father.”

Dane’s breath accelerated as his heart pounded in joy. “Grace,” he whispered, squeezing her hands. “Are you happy?”

She nodded.

Tears welled in his eyes. “Gracie, we will be parents. I cannot wait to hold her or him in my arms.”

“Neither can I.” Her smile was filled with love.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.” He pulled her close and tipped her chin to look into her eyes.

“Your brothers-in-law might argue that they are the happiest men in the world,” she argued.

“I can share the title,” Dane said with a laugh, then swept his wife close and delivered a searing kiss.

Murmurs spread through the ballroom as everyone stared at them.

“Dane,” Grace admonished softly. “People will gossip at our own ball.”

“I am a duke. You are a duchess. Do you care if we cause a scandal?” he asked with an arched eyebrow.

She shook her head, then shrugged. “We’ve been through far worse, wouldn’t you agree?”

He tilted back his head and laughed heartily. “Yes, I do. But I’ve learned a valuable lesson. Simple scandals are the best kind.”