Page 8 of Her Heartless Duke
Her aunt, however, did have a point—the Duke of Langley danced in such a way that he could makeanyonelook good.
If someone like him were to be my partner for the competition, I might stand a good chance of winning…
CHAPTERFOUR
In spite of her brother’s lack of enthusiasm towards the idea of her and Fiona joining Lady Willow’s dance competition, Olivia was just as determined to participate in it—andwin.
And if she could convince Isaac to teach her to dance the way he and Fiona did, Olivia had a feeling that she stood a fair chance of accomplishing just that.
By the time the dance came to a close, Olivia had formulated a half-baked plan to convince Isaac to help her prepare for the dance competition. All she needed to do was talk to him and—
“Olivia! Oh, Olivia, did you see us? Did you see us dancing?”
She had scarcely taken a step towards Isaac when Fiona came rushing towards her in excitement. She clasped Olivia’s gloved hands in hers and laughed giddily as Olivia craned her neck to search Isaac’s tall figure out in the crowd.
“I was so nervous because he had chosen to ask me to dance a quadrille with him. Aquadrille, Olivia! You know how awful I am at it…”
Fiona’s enthusiasm bubbled over just as Olivia’s heart sank when she could no longer make out his familiar figure amongst the sea of people blocking her vision. She smiled weakly at her cousin as she patted her hand instead.
“I did see, dearest,” she told her. “And it was just as wonderful as you say it was.”
“Oh, for the first time, I amsoglad that Mama made me take those interminably dreadful dancing lessons!” Fiona laughed gaily. “I should think that they paid off rather nicely tonight.”
“That they did.”
Her cousin peered at her with some concern, noting her almost lackluster responses. “Is something amiss?” Fiona asked her. “I suppose you had some… ah, reservations about the Duke of Langley earlier, but I assure you, Olivia, he is nothing like they say at all.”
Olivia nodded. “It appears to be that way, Fi.”
“Then what is the matter? You appear to be rather distracted. Was my dancing that horrid in comparison to the Duke’s?” she joked.
“Not at all!” Olivia shook her head vehemently. “On the contrary, even Aunt Joana was rather pleased with your progress. I just… I think I may need to step out for a moment. It is getting rather stuffy in here…” She fanned herself for good measure while trying to avert her eyes from her cousin’s prying gaze.
Fiona seemed to have accepted her excuse and looked at her in concern. “Do you want me to accompany you? I heard you called for rosemary tea earlier. If you are not feeling well, we could—”
“Oh, good heavens, no!” Olivia waved her off with a slight smile. “I am perfectly well, I assure you. I just need to get out of this crush for a bit. I shall not be very long, nor shall I go very far.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded reassuringly at her cousin. “Besides,” she reminded Fiona. “You have promised the next dance to Sir Kenneth Vaughan, and he looks like he is rather eager to be rid of me.” She nudged her chin in the direction of a sandy-haired gentleman standing off to the side, gazing longingly at Fiona.
Her cousin smiled a little and squeezed her hand. “I shall be back soon.”
Olivia watched as Sir Kenneth approached her cousin and led her to the dance floor just as the musicians struck up another tune. She stayed just a little while longer until she was certain that Fiona had started dancing with Sir Kenneth Vaughan before she slipped out of the ballroom and down the corridor.
Which one of these could Isaac be in?Olivia wondered to herself as she walked down the carpeted hall. There were a few doors to each side of the corridor. He could be in any one of them.
She walked a little slower, feeling the dull throbbing in her head coincide with her steps when she spied upon an open door. Male voices wafted from within it. A quick peek through the sliver of opening revealed her brother and the Duke inside. Olivia hurriedly pressed her back to the wall close to the door.
That was rather close! Thankfully, they do not seem to have noticed my presence.
“You said she would be here!” The Duke of Langley’s voice was laced with frustration and seemed to be more than just a tad annoyed. “And yet, I see not a hint of her in this entire ballroom!”
Her brother, on the other hand, sounded both amused and smug. “I never said Lady Vivian would be here. I merely said that she and her family have arrived in London and would most likely attend the Townsend ball.”
Olivia frowned at the mention of that name.Lady Vivian… as in Lady Vivian Pierce? Was she the reason Isaac attended tonight’s ball?
“Lady Pierce mentioned that Lady Vivian was feeling a trifle indisposed tonight, so she had to stay at home,” she heard her brother say. “If she hears that you were in attendance tonight and looking… well,better, then I suppose that will be to your advantage.”