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“He was notoriously charming,” Alex said. “He threw lavish parties, and was beloved in society.” His gaze was fixed somewhere near her ear, and she found herself holding her breath lest he stop. The sound of his voice in the dark room was hypnotizing, its low timbre sent shivers down her spine. “My father too,” he continued. “He was well known for his boisterous laugh, for the way he could make any lady, young or old, feel like a diamond of the first water.”

Something dropped in her belly, a weight she hadn’t known was there, fell to the pit of her stomach and sank slowly as she watched his eyes grow distant and the smallest, most beautiful smile curve his lips. The movement softened his harsh features, and in this light he was so, so…

He was so very handsome.

Her breath hitched and it was a good thing he was a proficient dancer because she could only let him lead as she struggled to keep her senses.

“Frederick—” He looked down at her. “Did you ever meet my brother?”

“I had the pleasure multiple times,” she said softly. “We even danced together once at the Landers’ ball two seasons ago.”

There was that smile again, small and so very rare she felt like she were being let in on a secret. “So you know, then,” he said. “You know just how charming he could be.”

She nodded mutely, her throat choked at the sadness in his eyes.

His brother had indeed been charming. Filled with energy and laughter and a virility that was impossible to ignore. And yet…

And yet, she could not recall feeling anything like this when she’d danced with his brother.

She thought he might not speak again, but after a long silence, he met her gaze directly and the pain she saw there cut her to the quick. “So you can see,” he said slowly. “What a disappointment it would be to my father and brother to know that the silly nickname that they loved so much has become nothing more than a jest when it comes to me.”

Disappointment. The word seemed to echo between them. She blamed the shadows and the quiet of night for her bluntness. “Is that what you’re fretting about?” she asked. “That you will be a disappointment?”

He stopped dancing, but he did not pull away. They stood there like that for what felt like an eternity. “I do not want to let them down,” he said. “I do not want to fail my sister, my family, the legacy I’ve been given—”

“And you won’t.” She surprised herself by the depth of emotion in her voice, but she couldn’t bear to hear him talk like this. “Charm is overrated,” she said. “By all accounts, you are intelligent, and noble, and responsible—”

He let out a little huff of rueful amusement. “Oh yes, I am all of those things. But I am afraid being responsible will not make Olivia forget that I am not my brother. Being intelligent will not make me fit into society any better—”

“Being responsible is far more important than being able to talk to ladies at a ball,” she said. Straightening, she let her arms drop, ignoring the chill that came when she took a step back away from his warmth. “Trust me,” she said. “I speak from experience. Being able to charm the ton means nothing compared to being able to take care of your family. You have integrity and a true desire to protect your family and your earldom. That means more than anything.”

He stared at her wide-eyed after that outburst. Perhaps she’d gone too far…

But he didn’t seem angry when he finally spoke. “You talk as though you know me well.”

She smiled. Oddly enough, she felt as though she did. Or at least…she wanted to.

Her breath left her in a rush at the thought.

Oh heavens, she liked him.

“I must apologize,” he said with a shake of his head. “I should not have unburdened myself to you like that.”

“Nonsense,” she said quickly. “We are friends. That is what friends do.”

His brows inched up toward his hairline. “Are we friends, Miss Lovelace?”

Once again she was grateful that the shadows hid her blush. “Please, call me Clara. Would you like to be?”

He hesitated for the length of a heartbeat. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I would like that very much, Clara.”

Her heart did a silly little dance in her chest. “As would I.”

He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it slightly.

She bit back a grin. Ruffled look good on him. She would love to see him truly disheveled one day. Maybe even beside himself with passion and—

“You are so easy to talk to,” he said suddenly.