Page 37 of The Duke’s Return (Dukes of the Compass Rose #2)

A few days passed in a blur that kept Genevieve on her toes, especially when it came to Julian.

Sometimes he was around and sometimes he was not. Every time he seemed to hesitate. They spoke of normal matters. Correspondence, the weather, and the food on the occasions they enjoyed a meal together.

The conversation was always terribly mild, so mild she could never remember what was said. Only that it didn’t matter. That it was hardly real.

What we said that night in the library. That was real. All of it was real.

Even as Genevieve knew this in her heart, she didn’t know how to approach Julian about his past or their marriage or the future.

It was worse than before, she thought to herself, when she was certain he didn’t care a wit for her.

Now, she was convinced he did, but couldn’t decide if he knew that he cared. And if he would do anything about it.

“Well, well, well. The duchess arrives,” Julian murmured a few nights later as they prepared to attend another ball.

It could very well be our last ball.

She slowed her steps from where she turned at the corner, lifting her chin. “I’m not late.”

Though Julian gave a shake of his head, his eyes didn’t leave her. She felt it as much as she watched him take in the sight of her. This was one of her favorite dresses; her maid had insisted they bring it even though it was too much for a country ball. Still, it deserved to be worn.

Layers of sapphire blue silk swirled around her legs, three layers that shined in the fading daylight as she moved past a window to reach him.

There were silver ribbons and capped sleeves made of delicate lace.

It revealed most of her shoulders, her neck, and emphasized the curve of her chest, which was why she often avoided this.

A woman in this dress had to want to be seen.

Tonight, she did want to be seen. By him.

Genevieve didn’t care what anyone thought of her tonight, only him. Letting the dress shine, she had styled her hair neatly with pearl strings and a particular pendant at her throat.

“You’re wearing the family sapphire,” Julian murmured as she stepped up to him.

It was one of the smaller pieces shown to her upon her arrival to her new home the day of her wedding. When the household had welcomed her instead of her new husband. But she liked this one, the silver chain and an oval sapphire surrounded by tiny pearls.

“I didn’t think you would notice.” Swallowing, she hoped she didn’t sound as breathy as she thought she did.

His gaze flitted up. That charming smile made her knees weak, especially with those sweet blue eyes of his looking at her. “Of course I would. I ensured they would be ready for you upon the start of your new life.”

“You mean, so everyone would know I had truly married you?” The words were blurted out before she could help herself. Inhaling, Genevieve shook her head. “I didn’t mean––”

When he took a step back from her, the hope she didn’t realize she was clinging to dropped.

She stood there frozen while he moved to the nearby footman to collect their cloaks and his hat.

Then Julian said lightly, “You are much too clever for the likes of me. That was exactly why I bestowed every one of the sapphires upon you. But had I known how lovely you would look in them, I would have never left your side.”

She felt her heart pound with a fondness she couldn’t name. Gazing at him, Genevieve could sense a softness to his words as though he meant what he said.

Warmth blossomed on her cheeks. She thought of springtime with the flowers blooming and summer days with the sun shining.

“You are certain to cause talk amongst the household,” she muttered when he swept her cloak around her neck.

His hands moved deftly to fix the snap for her. “Perhaps they should talk.”

Words escaped her. It took all of her energy not to melt in the middle of the hall before they attended the evening ball. She exchanged a smile with Julian, feeling shy, and then they were in the carriage on their way.

Little conversation took place as they pondered who might be in attendance and how the evening would go.

It was casual conversation, and yet she enjoyed it.

There was a particular satisfaction to a successful ordinary moment when one managed it, and she liked the thought of them doing this often.

What would it be like, she wondered, if he were to return to London with her?

Genevieve mused on the idea as they arrived at the ball, greeted their hosts in the receiving line, and soon entered the ball room arm in arm.

“They are looking at us as though we haven’t been in attendance to countless events since our arrival in the county,” Genevieve mused quietly in his ear when they decided to take a turn about the room.

Resting his other hand on top of hers, Julian gave a short nod. “Yes, but I don’t see any spite. Perhaps they admire us?”

A short chuckle escaped her. “I am not certain we are worthy of admiration simply for our attendance.”

His smile widened as he gazed at her like they in a private place, like no one else could watch them.

The moment felt intimate. She swayed and clung to him, finding that she didn’t feel as though they were pretending any of this like they had before for their people here.

The rest of the world was forgotten just so the two of them could share a precious charming moment together.

Leaning forward, Julian murmured, “It’s the country, my dear. Anything new and delightful can easily gain their affection. I am confident that I am worth of said admiration. By relation, you are certainly worthy as well.”

“Oh? Is it merely because of you I am worth at all?” She inquired, smiling even with a pointed look at him.

“Well, I suppose it could also be because of the Harcourt sapphire you wear this evening. Or how lovely you appear. Or perhaps… it is simply because you are worthy of admiration,” he said, pretending to appear thoughtful.

It was impossible not to keep smiling even through his jests. “I’m afraid that compliment took you longer than usual to get to. You’re not slowing down, are you, in your old age?”

“I’m only slowing down because you’re walking so slowly,” he replied with a wink. “But how can you not? We must ensure every person here tonight simply passes away with envy with a single glance at you.”

“That sounds rather messy.”

Waving off her concern, he reassured her, “It wouldn’t happen here, of course. No one would dare insult you thus. No, they’ll leave for their homes and never emerge again. You’re a goddess among us, my dear, and it’s clear that they all know it.”

He was charming her, flirting and teasing her as though they were merely courting. As though he cared. And Julian’s gaze showed something more than amusement whenever he looked at her. Genevieve wished she knew what it meant. But this felt like a fairy tale, and she didn’t wish to break the spell.

“You say too much,” she said after a moment. “However, I suppose I do need someone on my arm this evening and no one else will do.”

“What a relief, for I could never let you go. Shall we dance, my dear?”

Although they hadn’t discussed the need to dance this evening, Genevieve supposed that was meant to happen. She just hadn’t thought he would suggest it so soon. Caught by surprise, it took her a minute to find her words.

“Very well, yes. I should like that very much.”

“I live to please.”

As they shifted their direction to veer toward the dancing, Genevieve finally pulled her gaze away from her husband.

He’s right. Everyone really is watching us tonight. What are they thinking, I wonder?

He had picked a waltz. A scandalous dance that still wasn’t performed at Almack’s, which might include the retraction of her ticket there should anyone here tell the staff. But Genevieve decided she didn’t mind.

She'd never cared for Almack’s. Not when she could have a moment in his arms, scandalously close and nearly tender.

Listening to the music as it picked up with a violinist or two, Genevieve fixed her grasp on her husband and realized how close they danced together.

She could feel his body heat emanating, warming her.

With grace, he moved and led her about the room.

It felt like she could forget the dance entirely and yet he would still guide her through it.

“You’ve never danced a waltz before, have you?”

She met Julian’s gaze. “You can tell?”

There was a twitch to his lips. “No. You dance perfectly. Did you practice?”

“Very much so, yes. But then how could you tell?”

Feeling the way his hand trailed gently over her shoulder and down her arm, leaving a tingling sensation through half his body, Genevieve inhaled sharply. He was so terribly gentle. Though she wanted to reassure him that she was unbreakable, she didn’t want him to stop.

“I hoped. I want this waltz with you. I want…” He trailed off.

Their eyes met and she blocked out the rest of the world in her mind.

It didn’t matter what happened elsewhere so long as she had Julian there with his arms wrapped around her.

“You dance beautifully, you know. The practice really does make you perfect.”

He was making her blush again. “Thank you. And you’re an excellent lead. Have you always loved to dance?”

“How did you know I loved it?”

Pushing aside a flicker of doubt, Genevieve clung to what she knew.

“It’s what the ton would say about you. That you were such a rake and yet a kind one to dance with many wallflowers for the occasional ball you attended.

More than that, however,” she then went on hastily since she didn’t want to think about his past like that, “I can tell in your movements. You want to keep dancing.”

“I have always enjoyed it,” he admitted with a reluctant grin. “Hearing you say that makes me think we should continue dancing until we are pushed out the door.”

“We don’t need that much of a scandal,” she retorted with a short chuckle. She shook her head. “Besides, I don’t want to think about all of the dances when I can enjoy this one.”

Conversation faded between the two of them then for the rest of the dance, allowing them to listen to each other’s movements and gestures along the way.

Still, the dance ended too soon.

They walked off the dance floor and moved to the next room where there was space and refreshments. Now that the two of them had been seen, everyone wished to speak with them.

Genevieve accepted a glass from Julian and stationed herself at his side as they greeted neighbor after neighbor, feeling a bubbly sensation in her stomach just like the bubbles in her drink. She couldn’t help but hope they would last through the evening. Perhaps even longer.