“My sincerest apologies,” he announced at once. “I’m afraid I am needed elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere? Besides the ball?” Lady Hamhearst asked in befuddlement.
She wouldn’t be so desperate to have him talking or dancing with her daughters if she knew the secrets her husband was up to. Hamhearst was one of two names Dominic knew of tied to a financial scandal that could collapse any day now. Thethought of him marrying into that family was uncomfortable and laughable.
“A pleasure to see you all,” Dominic said and he started to walk away.
Originally, it had been his aim to dance with and meet as many young appropriate women as possible. But now he had someone else…
He stopped in his tracks when he saw her.
Lady Verity Ashbourne was standing across the room, a hair taller than half the party. She looked very fine this evening, dressed in a beautiful green that was too dark for a debutante. Her age evaded him but that hardly mattered.
The green did wonders for her eyes that were narrowed on another figure. Dominic followed her line of vision to find she was staring down her own brother, Cassian, who ignored her whilst talking in his own group.
Turning his gaze back to Verity, Dominic noted there were two younger women at her side. One was dressed in a pastel pink, quietly watching and leaning in toward Verity. And then the other, a shorter young lady dressed in the debutante white, was rocking on her heels while she looked about energetically and chatted to the two women who hardly paid her any mind. Were they family, friends? What was Verity doing?
Dominic checked his cuffs before crossing the room, sweeping past everyone to approach Verity directly.
Her eyes widened imperceptibly upon his arrival. “Your Grace.”
He offered a deep nod. “Good evening, Miss Verity Ashbourne. I am glad to see you here this evening.”
When her lips parted, they curved into a question that she never asked. It took her a moment. She paused and then nodded. “I am glad to see you as well.” The girl beside her gave her a nudge. “What a perfect opportunity to introduce you to my sisters. Miss Elowen Ashbourne and Miss Octavia Ashbourne.”
Elowen was the one in pink, leaning in close like she wanted to included but not involved. Her eyes were darker compared to both sisters as she looked him over like she might very well see through his soul. When she curtsied and murmured under her breath, he couldn’t quite hear her but nodded respectfully and took her hand all the same.
“Good evening, Your Grace! I’ve never met a duke before. How do you know our sister?” Octavia, the youngest and surely on her first season, bounced through her curtsey.
He straightened from taking her hand, glancing to Verity in case she cared to address the question. It seemed preferable and more appropriate.
“That is a wonderful question,” she said while lifting her chin. There was a challenge in those eyes of hers. “This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the Duke of Wycliffe as the first occasion was within our very own halls. You’re a friend of our eldest brother, aren’t you?”
A friend? To Cassian? The man collects pawns and players, not friends.
Dominic hoped it would be a theoretical question. But when she said nothing more, he was forced to answer. “We are acquaintances, yes.”
Her eyes narrowed into sharp points. What sort of challenge did she expect or desire? He didn’t care for games like this. Cards, perhaps. But nothing more.
“Our brothers know a great many people,” Octavia blurted out when the two of them continued staring at each other. Her head turned back and forth while she clung to Elowen who had dropped her gaze. “Cassian seems to know every single person to be found in Debrett’s, I believe. As for Lucien, he knows everyone else. Do you know him as well?”
Finding himself somewhat irritated, his response was reluctant. “I haven’t had the pleasure.”
He had left Verity knowing they would talk today, knowing that was exactly what she desired. Now, she avoided his gaze and he didn’t know what to make of her behavior.
This should have been easy. Most ladies of any age would be thrilled to be considered by a duke. While I wouldn’t consider her overly mature, most women by their twenties seem desperate to be wed. I suppose this shall take some effort on my part. I should have expected Cassian would be more helpful, but he’s not exactly the helpful sort.
“What a shame. Lucien is quite a party. He’s here somewhere, of course. He is our escort and chaperone tonight, though he does a poor task of it. That is, depending on how you view it. I find it quite nice,” Octavia added cheerfully. “Do you have any sisters or wards you chaperone tonight?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have that pleasure,” Dominic said as he forced a smile. He attempted to remember his charm. “Perhaps in his absence, it shall make my enterprise for this evening easier.”
Elowen perked up then. Octavia opened her mouth, but it was Verity that spoke the question. “And what exactly is tonight’s enterprise?”
His body thrummed with energy as they gazed at each other. Tension thrummed through the air between them.
As he looked at her, he wondered how much she knew. How much she wondered. Had her brother told her anything? It was unlikely; unseemly information for a lady. There was obvious strength to Verity and yet even the strongest warrior could be thrust down by an arrow to the heel. He didn’t seek to do that to anyone, let alone his future wife.
“A dance, my lady.”
