“Uncle William?”
“Dr. Graves.”
“You’re related to him as well?”
“Not by blood. But as you can see, unlike at the Dragons, should I have a need to defend you, I’ll have an army at my back. One that plays dirty.”
She released a caustic laugh. “We’re done.”
“Attending the ball doesn’t change that. I can escort you without being your lover.”
She began pacing. “This is madness.”
“Have you ever been to an aristocrat’s ball?”
Coming to a stop, she glared at him. “Of course not.”
“Wouldn’t you like to attend one?”
Her glare intensified just before she looked away. He knew it was because she didn’t want him to see the yearning.
“What I want has no bearing on the matter. I refuse to be the cause of bringing mayhem to their ballroom.”
And people deemed her selfish. Fools all.
“An invitation to the Lovingdon ball is coveted. And here you have received one. I certainly don’t wish to influence your decision, but I think if you don’t go, a day will come when you’ll regret your lack of courage.”
He was surprised the arrows her eyes shot his way didn’t mortally wound him.
“It’s not cowardice. As I’ve said, I don’t want to ruin things for them.”
“As I’ve been trying to convey... that’s unlikely to happen. It’ll be a much friendlier gathering than we had the other night. And Chadbourne won’t be in attendance. His invitation was rescinded after he demonstrated such atrocious behavior.”
“I suppose you were responsible for that as well.”
I protect what is mine.
“He needed a lesson on when to open his mouth and when to keep it shut. I was more than happy to oblige when it came to his education.”
She began pacing again. “I don’t have anything to wear on such short notice.”
“I’ve never known you to wear anything that wasn’t appropriate. Except for my shirt. I would advise against wearing my shirt.”
He felt a tightness in his chest begin to relax when he caught sight of her mouth twitching as though she was trying not to smile. Not to give him a smile very similar to one he’d imagined her smiling every night after he crawled into bedand watched the shadows cavorting over the ceiling, wondering if they’d moved in that manner for her when he’d been buried inside her. Thrusting, gyrating his hips. Entranced by the tightness of her.
And there was the slightest teasing sparkle in her lovely blue eyes.
“If you truly feel you have nothing suitable in your wardrobe, I’m certain Poppy wouldn’t mind loaning you a frock.”
“I can find something. I just don’t want to be a distraction.”
She would always be a distraction. It couldn’t be helped. Even if she’d never been written up in a gossip column, she was the sort to be noticed. Her beauty might snag someone’s attention, but it was her intriguing and confident mien that would hold them enthralled.
“Trust me, Marlowe, Lovingdon and Grace can hold their own against any distraction.”
She sighed deeply. “You speak of them as though they are nothing special. Because that is your world. Whereas I am in awe. A duke and duchess, for God’s sake. A duke. And duchess.”
“They’re just people. Fancier house. More servants. But they face challenges just like everyone else. I’m certain Grace, at least, is curious to meet you. Poppy has probably told her all about you. Imagine the stories you’ll have on hand to tell your mother when you visit her.” He moved around his desk and perched himself on one of its corners. “Attend the ball, allow me to escort you. The minute you experience the slightest bit of unease, we leave.We won’t argue. I won’t try to change your mind. As soon as you say, ‘Let’s go,’ we go.”
