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“ Y our Grace, you look absolutely enchanting this evening! That shade of blue is most becoming,” Lady Winsley appeared at Selina’s side as she moved through the crowded ballroom.

Selina masked her surprise with a polite smile. “Lady Winsley. Thank you for the compliment.”

“I’ve been hoping for a moment to speak with you.” Lady Winsley’s eyes sparkled with manufactured warmth. “We had so little chance to become acquainted at our last meeting.”

“Indeed.” Selina glanced around, hoping to spot a friendly face that might provide escape.

The ballroom had filled quickly, and Selina found it harder to pick her friends out among the swirl of silk and sparkle.

“Marriage suits you,” Lady Winsley said, her eyes flicking over Selina in a way that was more sizing-up than compliment. “Though I expect life with His Grace takes some getting used to.”

“Every marriage requires adjustment, I suppose.”

“Particularly one that occurred so hastily after his return.” Lady Winsley leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “One wonders what prompted such urgency. He was never a man given to impulsive decisions.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Selina replied coolly. “Our acquaintance before marriage was conducted through correspondence.”

“How unusual. And now? Has he opened his heart to you? Shared his deepest thoughts?” Lady Winsley’s smile held a predatory edge. “You know… he was always such a reserved child. So difficult to reach beneath that cold exterior.”

“My relationship with my husband is private, Lady Winsley.” Selina kept her tone light despite her growing irritation. “Though your concern is touching.”

“Not concern, my dear. Interest.” Lady Winsley toyed with her fan. “I knew his father so well, you see. The men in their family have always fascinated me with their complexities.”

Before Selina could come up with a response that wouldn’t land her in trouble, she was saved by Georgiana and Isabella pushing through the crowd.

“There you are, Selina,” Georgiana said, linking arms with her. “We’ve been searching all over.”

“Lady Winsley.” Isabella offered a polite nod, her smile cool. “Always a pleasure. You won’t mind if we steal our friend away?”

“Not at all.” Lady Winsley’s smile tightened. “We were just reminiscing about the late Duke. Such a remarkable man.”

“How lucky for everyone that his son takes after someone else,” Isabella said with a sweet smile. “Good evening, Lady Winsley.”

She slipped her arm through Selina’s and steered her away, Georgiana falling in step behind them.

Once they reached a quieter spot, Selina let out a long breath.

“Thank you for the rescue. That woman makes my skin crawl.”

“She was watching you and your husband during your dance,” Georgiana said. “What was that about, by the way? The two of you looked ready to devour each other.”

Heat rose to Selina’s cheeks. “It was just a waltz.”

“Just a waltz?” Isabella arched a brow. “Darling, I’ve been married six years. I know the look of a hungry husband.”

Selina bit her lip. “Well, um, perhaps he was hungry because we skipped dinner.” But her pulse betrayed her, quickening at the memory of Rowan’s gaze, the warmth of his hand as he pulled her in just a bit too close. “We didn’t talk very much.”

“Some of the best conversations don’t need words,” Georgiana murmured. “Half the ballroom was watching you, you know.”

“They were curious, that’s all. We haven’t exactly been out and about since the wedding.”

Isabella and Georgiana traded a look. “If you say so,” Isabella said, her voice all too indulgent.

“Your Grace!” Matthew’s voice interrupted their conversation as he approached, his face flushed with excitement. “I followed your advice. I asked Miss Thornton to dance. Twice!”

“Lord Penderwick,” Georgiana greeted him. “We saw your first dance. You handled yourself admirably.”

“Definitely,” Selina agreed, grateful for the change of subject. “No stepped-on toes, no collisions with other couples. A triumph.”

“And you discussed astronomy?” Isabella prompted.

“Yes, though not excessively.” Matthew beamed. “We spoke of music, her favorite walks in the park, even a bit about poetry. She seemed genuinely interested.”

“Of course she was,” Selina said. “You’re an excellent conversationalist when you forget to be nervous.”

“Speaking of Miss Thornton,” Isabella nodded discreetly toward the refreshment table, “she appears to be watching you even now.”

Matthew turned, catching Miss Thornton’s eye. The young lady quickly looked away, a becoming blush coloring her cheeks.

“Should I ask her for another dance?” he asked.

“Not yet,” Isabella advised. “Let her wonder what you’re discussing with three beautiful women. A touch of jealousy can be most effective.”

“In fact,” she continued with a mischievous smile, “you should dance with someone else. Someone she’s already seen you converse with. Someone like…” She tapped her fan thoughtfully against her palm, then pointed it at Selina. “Her Grace would be perfect.”

Matthew blinked. “Her Grace? But our history?—”

“History is precisely that, mere history. Now, you are friends and your prior engagement was publicly dissolved,” Georgiana finished smoothly. “There’s no harm in a single dance.”

Selina hesitated, her gaze automatically seeking Rowan. She spotted him across the room with Felix, deep in conversation. Would he notice? Would he care?

“What do you say, Your Grace?” Matthew asked, his expression hopeful. “For the sake of my courtship?”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Selina smiled, extending her hand. “How can I refuse?”

As Matthew led her onto the floor, Selina felt a twinge of guilt. Not for dancing with him—as Georgiana had correctly noted, there was no real impropriety there—but for the small, petty part of her that hoped Rowan would see and feel something, anything, in response.

The orchestra struck up a country dance, less intimate than the waltz but still requiring partners to join hands at intervals. Matthew proved a competent if unexceptional dancer, guiding her through the figures with careful attention.

“Miss Thornton is still watching,” he whispered as they came together in the pattern.

“Good,” Selina replied. “Remember to smile as if we’re having a marvelous conversation.”

Matthew obediently produced a toothy smile that made him look slightly manic. Selina bit back a laugh.

“Perhaps a bit more natural,” she suggested. “As if I’d just said something mildly amusing, not as if I’d announced you’d won a fortune.”

His smile adjusted, exposing less of his teeth. “Is this better?”

“Much.”

They separated again as the dance required, then rejoined moments later.

“I’m grateful for your help,” Matthew said sincerely. “You’ve been extraordinarily kind, considering…”

“Ancient history,” Selina assured him. “I harbor no ill feelings, Lord Penderwick.”

“Nor I. And please, call me Matthew. No one’s listening,” He guided her through a turn. “But… Still, I suspect your husband might not share our charitable perspective.”

“What makes you say that?”

“The way he’s currently looking at me suggests he’s contemplating murder.”

Selina’s steps faltered slightly. “Is he watching?”

“Indeed. With an expression that would curdle milk. Over your left shoulder, near the second column.”

She waited until the steps of the dance turned her just enough to glance toward Rowan without drawing attention.

Sure enough, he stood stiffly at the edge of the crowd, watching them with a look that could curdle wine. Even from across the room, the heat of his stare made her skin prickle.

“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” Matthew said under his breath as they came together again.

“Nonsense,” Selina replied, trying to keep her voice light, though her heart was racing. “We’re not doing anything wrong. And look—Miss Thornton has edged closer to the dance floor.”

That caught his attention enough that he missed a step, then gave her a sheepish grin. “Do you think she’s actually interested?”

“I think a young lady doesn’t watch a gentleman’s every move unless she finds him worth watching.” She twirled neatly beneath his arm, her tone teasing but pointed. “Focus on her, not on my husband. This dance is for your benefit, after all.”

Matthew nodded, his attention shifting to Miss Thornton. But Selina found her own awareness remained fixed on Rowan, feeling the weight of his gaze like a physical touch as she moved through the patterns of the dance.

A traitorous part of her thrilled at his reaction. If he could feel jealousy, maybe he could feel other things too.

Rowan did not move. His eyes were still locked on her, his expression tight with something that looked like anger but also possession. And something else. Something she couldn’t quite name.

Their eyes met, and the moment that passed between them felt more intimate than the entire dance. She felt it like a spark hanging in the air, waiting.

She just didn’t know if it would pull them closer… or push them even further apart.