Page 35

Adrian had dressed all in black, including the domino around his face.

He was not much for balls and had not wanted to even attend the masquerade at Easton Abbey.

He might have stayed in his bedchamber for the night if he did not wish to spend the evening with Georgina.

The evening could not begin soon enough for him.

Guests were milling about Easton Abbey, most of them already part of the house party that the Dowager Marchioness of Easton had arranged hoping to entice her son to choose a bride.

She had gotten her wish, but perhaps not in the way she had hoped.

None of her guests had inspired the marquess to propose marriage.

Only one lady had done that, and she was not one of the marchioness’s carefully chosen guests.

Easton had eloped with one of the students at Havenwood Academy—something Adrian was contemplating doing himself.

His Georgina was one of Havenwood’s students after all.

He sat down at the writing desk in his bedchamber and carefully penned a missive for a servant to deliver to Georgina once she arrived.

He had to be as careful as possible so he would not inadvertently ruin her reputation.

There was only one place they could meet that would be deemed appropriate.

At least if they happened to be caught there, it could be explained away…

The library. As long as no one saw them in some sort of embrace anyway.

But that room also had one other advantage.

The door could be locked, and Adrian had the key that would give him the ability to ensure they had privacy.

Adrian finished his note with a flourish, his handwriting precise despite the anticipation thrumming through him.

Folding the paper carefully, he sealed it with wax and pressed his signet ring into the still-warm surface.

He had no wish for anyone else to see the note, and the seal would ensure it was delivered only to Georgina’s hands.

He rose from the writing desk, moving to the window that overlooked the moonlit gardens.

From his vantage point, he could see the guests filtering into the grand ballroom, their colorful silks and elaborate masks creating a spectacle of shimmering decadence.

Laughter and music drifted upward, but he had no patience for revelry tonight.

Tonight, his mind was consumed by one thing—her.

With a decisive breath, he strode to the door and summoned a footman.

“See that this is delivered to Miss Georgina upon her arrival,” Adrian instructed, handing the sealed note to the young man. “No one else must see it.”

The footman bowed, understanding the gravity of the task. “At once, my lord.”

As soon as the door closed, Adrian turned back to the room and began pacing. He should make an appearance at the ball to avoid any suspicions. But the mere thought of engaging in polite conversation with simpering debutantes made his jaw clench.

Instead, he would wait—wait for her .

Adrian strolled down the stairs and went to the ballroom.

Once there, he noticed the Marquess of Easton deep in conversation with the Duke of Amberwood.

Those two gentlemen were his closest friends.

Perhaps he could just while away some time in their company.

He made his way across the room until he reached them. Once there, Amberwood nodded at him.

Easton turned toward him and grinned. “I thought you would stay away from this ball.”

Even through their masks Adrian would know these two men anywhere.

“I considered it,” he drawled. He had. Before he had decided it would make the perfect place for him to have some time alone with Georgina.

He could not expect her to keep sneaking out of the school each night to meet with him.

That would surely lead to her ruination.

“What changed your mind?” Amberwood asked.

He glanced around the room as if searching for someone.

Adrian could relate. He periodically perused the room hoping to catch a glimpse of Georgina.

Thus far she had not yet arrived. The duke probably searched for Jaclyn.

Perhaps he should ask Amberwood what was going on between him and the young lady.

That would surely steer the conversation in a different direction.

Especially as he did not wish to disclose his reasons for not avoiding the masquerade.

Adrian shrugged. “I was feeling a fit of ennui,” he supplied as answer.

“What of you, Your Grace,” he said in a sardonic tone.

“What has convinced you to attend tonight? I would have thought you would have avoided the masquerade, or has something changed? Do you hope to find yourself trapped in marriage now?”

“Do not be ridiculous,” Amberwood snapped. “Such an outcome would not happen to me.”

Easton laughed. “I think you are being obtuse.”

“In what way?” Amberwood asked. “There are no ladies about that can trap me into marriage. I am not an imbecile. I know how to avoid such entanglements.”

“I think he means that you should not underestimate some of these conniving young ladies and their desire to wear the title of duchess. Tread carefully, my friend,” Adrian said.

“I would hate to find you in such a union that you found distasteful.” He tilted his head to the side.

“Or do you believe that you are immune to the dictates of society?”

“Oh, I do not think that is it at all,” Easton drawled. “I believe he does hope to be trapped. At least by one lady in particular.”

At least Adrian had not been the one to supply that barb. He grinned. “I believe I may know of which lady you are referring.”

“You two are the worst friends ever,” Amberwood said through gritted teeth. “I do not wish for anything of the sort.”

Adrian wanted to disagree. Amberwood did want Jaclyn, but for some reason did not feel as if he could pursue a relationship with her.

There was a tale there and one day he would discover it.

If he did not have other priorities for his evening, he might push Amberwood for details.

His friend would get a reprieve—at least from him.

“You do not believe that,” Easton said. “We have been friends for far too long. We also know you too well.” He frowned. “But if you do not wish to admit to what you are feeling, I am willing to allow you to brood in silence.”

Adrian sighed. “If we must…”

“You must,” Amberwood said. “Don’t you have a lady you wish to spend time with? You usually do.”

Surely they did not mean Georgina… “I don’t know what you mean.” He nearly blanched at Amberwood’s words but held back his unease with careful precision. A skill he had honed over the years out of necessity.

The duke rolled his eyes. “You are a rogue, Foxmoore,” he said in a droll tone. “That would imply you have your gaze set upon a particular lady to seduce.” Amberwood narrowed his gaze. “Or am I wrong, and you have changed and no longer wish to chase after the closest skirt?”

On any other occasion, Amberwood would be correct, and even in this moment he was not entirely wrong.

Adrian did have an interest in a particular lady.

He might even seduce her. The key difference was that he wanted to seduce Georgina into forever with him.

One night would never be enough with her. She meant far too much to him.

“There is no lady in this ballroom that holds any interest to me,” he said earnestly, and it was the truth. As far as he knew Georgina had yet to arrive. “But you are right on one thing. I doubt I will be able to stay at this ball for long. I’m already finding it tedious.”

“Is it because we all know you are going to leave once you have a lady to keep you company?” Easton asked.

“Shouldn’t you be with your new wife?” Adrian countered.

Easton laughed. “She will be here soon enough, and yes, once she arrives I will attend to her. But I believe we have time to explore this more.” He grinned. “I think Amberwood had it right. You do have an interest in a lady. Who is it?”

Damn it all. He did not want to have this conversation. “I am not out to seduce a lady tonight.”

“Right,” Amberwood said. “And we believe you.” His tone suggested otherwise. Bloody hell…

Adrian frowned. “Believe what you wish. But I am not going to lead any young lady astray tonight.” No.

He hoped to lead one to matrimony. Somehow, he doubted they would believe him if he said that.

They would find it roaringly hilarious. “If you will pardon me, I am going to find someone else with whom to spend my time.”

He did not wait for them to reply. Adrian did not have the time or the inclination to convince them of his motives.

He knew what he wanted and what he hoped for, and they would see in time that his intentions were quite honorable.

It might take him saying his vows with Georgina first, but in the end they would see the truth of the matter.

Besides, as far as he was concerned, only Georgina’s opinion mattered in this.