“The pleasure is all mine.” He looked right at Celestine. “Miss Celestine, might you do the honor of dancing with me? I saw you just now and I admit there was a pang of jealousy that I might never have the chance for such a thing.”
“Oh…” Celestine blinked. “I am not so sure that His Grace –”
“It is just a dance,” he cut her off, already linking his arm through her own. “I am certain that His Grace will not mind.”
Before Celestine could object she was being pulled back toward the dance floor. She did her best to appear aloof, not standing too close or looking as if she enjoyed herself. But when they reached the floor, Lord Grundon stepped into her, placed a hand on her waist, took her other in his right hand, and ensured their bodies were pressed close.
She noticed immediately how different it felt dancing with Lord Grundon to the Duke. Lord Grundon was like a corpse, cold and clammy, stiff and awkward, no sense at all that he enjoyed himself or thought to at least pretend.
And when she looked at him, there was no smile of satisfaction or pleasure found. His face was as stiff as his body.
There is something off about him… although I cannot say what.
Celestine had noticed it the first time that they met too. While most had nothing but good things to say about Lord Grundon, she could not escape the feeling that his reputation did not match who he was as a person. He was just so… false. So controlled in everything he did and said. Nothing about him was real, and it all felt purposefully contrived to help bolster the name he’d made for himself.
“I was surprised to hear of you and His Grace,” Lord Grundon began once the music started and he led her with the other couples. “And a tad disappointed, I will not deny.”
“Is that right?”
“I suppose it is my fault for being too subtle,” he continued, not sounding the least upset. “A mistake I will not make the next time.”
“There will not be a next time,” she said a little too quickly. “His Grace and I are set to wed.”
“I was merely speaking in generalities,” he noted plainly. “I do wonder about your marriage, however. An odd couple, if I have ever seen one.”
“It is not so odd,” she defended, almost annoyed that he would make such a comment. “His Grace and I are…” She cleared her throat. “We are in love.”
“I am sure you are,” he said without any indication that he believed it. “I will keep a keen eye on you both. More for curiosity’s sake than anything. Truly, to see how the two of you progress…” It was subtle, but Celestine saw a hint of a smile pass behind his eyes. “That will be quite the sight.”
She said nothing in response, nor did she speak again for the rest of the dance. And neither did Lord Grundon for that matter, apparently happy with what was said, preferring the stiff awkwardness of silence as he led her across the floor.
Once the dance was finished, she expected him to lead her back to her mother, only Lord Grundon had different plans.
The Duke stood by the edge of the circle as if in wait. He watched them both coldly, a curl to his upper lip, and a glare in his eyes. Celestine glanced at Lord Grundon, and she frowned when she saw a touch of a smirk find his lips; it was the first true showing of emotion he had given all evening.
“Your Grace,” Lord Grundon said as he came to a stop before the Duke. “You are a lucky man.”
“Lord Grundon…” He stepped into Lord Grundon. “Might I ask what you are doing dancing with my fiancé?”
“As you said,” Lord Grundon said simply. “We were dancing. I suppose I wished to see what type of woman might steal the Duke’s heart so fastidiously where so many others have failed.” His smirk rose slightly. “Now, I know the answer.”
“What does that mean?”
Lord Grundon shrugged. “Nothing at all.” He turned and bowed to Celestine. “Miss Celestine, it was a pleasure.” A final smirk of triumph toward the Duke and Lord Grundon turned and walked away.
Celestine looked from where Lord Grundon had been standing to the Duke who still glared in anger. “What was that about?”
“That was not very well done, Celestine,” the Duke hissed at her. He was sure to keep his voice low so they would not be overheard. “You ought to know better than making a mockery of our engagement like that.”
“I did no such thing.”
“You did,” he continued hotly. “It might have seemed like just a dance to you but that is precisely how rumors and scandal start. It was stupid of you.”
Celestine scowled angrily. “And who are you to speak of scandal? As if they do not follow you everywhere that you go. All I did was dance, but what people say of you…” She scoffed. “I wish it was something so simple as dancing with another.”
She had meant the comment to be defensive because she did not appreciate being chastised or spoken to like that. But as soon as the words left her lips, she saw the effect it had on the Duke…anger passed behind his eyes, followed by something else that she could not quite ascertain.
“I do not know why I bother,” he said darkly. “You wish to embarrass yourself? And me, for that matter? Go right ahead.” With that, he turned and walked away.
