Page 32 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke

“We have to speak with my mother soon,” he said as they walked out of the ballroom. “She is astute; you cannot let my hand go or act cold in any way.”

“All right,” was all Daphne could manage. Again, she had not thought that far.

“Or would you prefer not to have an introduction? That can be arranged. I will speak to her on your behalf. Inform her that you are weighing your options, seeing as I have a scarlet past.”

“Victor!” Daphne could not get a handle on the man, even a little bit. “Could you please speak with some decorum?”

His thumb caressed the back of her hand, “You said my name. That is an improvement.”

“I have said your name before,” she said.

“Is that so? Why can I not remember?” he mumbled.

“Because you fill your head with nonsense,” she scoffed.

“I would certainly remember hearing my name from your mouth,” he said with that soft voice.

Daphne was so startled by this gentle tone that she almost collided with a woman wearing a tiara so bright it had almost blinded her.

After muttering an apology to the lady, she heard Victor chuckling to himself.

* * *

“We should make it less complicated,” Daphne said. “Your mother does not deserve to be dragged into our deceit. You should speak with her, please.”

It was the truth. His mother would be overjoyed to hear he had met someone he was willing to marry. She would be excited to meet her only to have her expectations dashed.

Still, he would have preferred…what? For it to be true? He was going mad.

“All right,” he conceded.

“So, you agree?”

“As you wish. I will obey.”

She peered up at him. “Did you hit your head, or is the wine clouding your senses?”

“What wine?”

“You have had at least three glasses tonight.”

Just to extract that infuriated look from her, Victor grinned. “You are watching me that closely. You are indeed deeply infatuated with me.”

He tightened his hands around hers expecting her to try and break free once more. She stopped walking entirely and looked at him, her expression without mirth.

“We are alone. You do not have to say these things, or continue the performance, you know. I am perfectly capable of walking in silence.”

“This is practice. You were tense with your parents. What will you do if Farton decides to challenge us further?”

“I… well,” she shuffled her feet, unsure. “That is different. Should we practice what to say?”

“For your sake, maybe. In all honesty, I do not care for thepea—ahem, Farton’s opinion. But it does seem to affect you and your family. Is there anything I should know?”

She scratched the corner of her head. “He was…”

“Your Grace!” she was interrupted a moment later by guests who surrounded them, pouring congratulations on them.

He had never liked this crowd. They would use polite words to chip at a lesser person’s pride, simply to elevate their egos. He was not one to hold back his words, and that had earned him some sort of reputation.