Page 99 of Corrupting his Duchess

He couldn’t.

She was standing beside another man, one who didn’t deserve her, and Henry had no one to blame but himself. He’d let her go, thinking he was being noble and safe.

And now she was gone. He didn’t belong beside her anymore.

His chest tightened. His jaw locked.

And then, without meaning to, he said it under his breath…

“You bloody fool.”

No one heard him. No one needed to.

The words sat heavy in the back of his throat. He swallowed them and kept his face still.

A hand clapped lightly on his shoulder.

“Yeats,” said Lord Elsmore, cheerful and oblivious. “Damn good to see you in Town again. I’ve half a mind to alert the papers.”

Henry forced a smile. “I’m sure they’ve survived my absence.”

Elsmore chuckled. “Speaking of returns…” He nodded across the room. “That’s Lady Anna, isn’t it? Stenton’s cousin?”

Henry didn’t answer.

Elsmore followed his gaze anyway. “Vaun’s been glued to her all night. Word is he’s serious.”

Henry’s throat felt tight.

“Never would’ve guessed,” Elsmore went on. “Didn’t know he had the patience for earnest women.”

Henry said nothing.

The crowd shifted slightly. Anna and Matthew drifted closer to the edge of the floor, more visible now. Her hand was still on his arm. A single curl had slipped free near her temple.

“You danced with her at Yeats Hall, didn’t you?” Elsmore asked casually. “Seemed rather taken with you.”

Henry turned his head slowly. “I don’t recall.”

Elsmore blinked. “Right. Well. Forget I said anything.”

Henry didn’t reply.

A second later, someone else stepped near—Lady Bellamy, all rouge and raised eyebrows.

“Your Grace,” she said, too loudly. “You look positively grim. Don’t tell me your heart’s been stolen and dashed already.”

Henry smiled tightly. “Only my patience.”

She laughed, delighted. “He’s always so dry. I adore it.”

But he’d already stopped listening.

Across the room, Anna had laughed at something. It was polite, practiced, barely a curve of the mouth, but it still gutted him. That used to be his to earn.

He couldn’t stand here any longer.

“Excuse me,” he said, low, and stepped away before either of them could respond.