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“O w,” Lenora muffled her squeal as the Duke of Thornhaven stepped on her toe to slide past her. If he didn’t notice all the efforts she was going to earlier, she certainly didn’t want him to see her now and show her pity.

An arm brushed against her shoulder. Wasn’t anyone conscientious of their surroundings anymore? But then she felt a gentle, steadying touch at her waist. Discreet as always. All the same, a tingle ran up her spine. She knew who it was.

“Do you want a balm for that injury?”

“My toe will be fine.”

“I wasn’t talking about your toe.”

She whirled to face Edward. “Botheration!” she hissed at him.

“I’d say. You went to extreme lengths to catch Gabriel’s attention.” His gaze was vexingly straight ahead at the many dancers on the floor. “You did catch one man’s eye though.”

“I did?” She hadn’t meant to catch Edward’s attention with her antics.

That was a strange thought to let permeate her mind.

A ribbon of awareness circulated through her.

Edward was an incredibly handsome man. And if she didn’t know exactly what type of man she wanted, her eyes might be swayed by him.

Him and his dark hair, smirking lips, and broad shoulders. A quiver echoed within her.

“Yes. But obviously that poor footman doesn’t stand a chance.”

Oh. He meant someone else. That made more sense. But, well, that was a weird sense of emptiness that blew in her chest.

“Ha. Ha. That footman was only doing his job. He’s not interested in me—”

A tray—the very tray from the very footman of whom they were speaking—appeared before her.

Without a word, she took a treat and plopped it in her mouth.

“That was not a coincidence, Lenora.” The way Edward whispered into her ear felt like he was sharing more of a dark secret than it was.

She scrunched her shoulders up toward her neck. “Doesn’t matter. I have other things to do right now, so if you’ll excuse me.” Then she turned to leave.

“Actually,” a light finger tapped the small of her back and a spark shot through her, “I have a proposition for you.”

“A what?” A proposition? That sounded salacious.

She craned her neck back to see his profile in an attempt to read his expression, which of course was nonexistent.

But he couldn’t be suggesting something with him.

A proposition was not a proposal. Though the two words sounded similar.

Inwardly, she shook her head at the odd thoughts.

“You’re looking for a husband.”

“A dance at the least. Preferably two followed by a courtship.”

“I’ll get you a dance—”

“We already—”

“Not with me.” He cleared his throat. “With someone else.” She watched him scratch the back of his head and then rake his hands through his hair. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he looked a touch nervous.

“With who?”

“Who do you want to dance with?”

“Edward, what are you doing?”

“I’m helping you. You want a husb—dance. And I’d rather you find a good one.”

Something warm filled her chest. And then her cheeks felt heated.

Edward was the last one to voice his emotions, which was a huge reason why he made a good, reliable, stable friend for her.

There was no drama between them. She brought it all, and he calmed her down. It was the perfect match. As friends.

“That’s very kind of you to say, Edward.”

As his eyes scanned the room, he asked, “Right. Well, what are you looking for in a man?”

Oh.

Hmm.

That was a good question. One that she had answered many times to herself, but never aloud to a man. And certainly not Edward.

But…what harm could it do? He wanted to help her, and she knew she could trust him. So, she went for it.

“It’s really quite simple. He must be daring. I want to feel a thrill when he looks at me. Holds me. I want to know in my heart that he’s for me.”

Edward shifted in his stance, tugged at his cravat, and then stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Anything else?”

“Not much. Do you think you can manage that?”

“I’ll try.”