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But the countess was watching him now.

He hadn’t seen Lenora since she’d refused his proposal. Earlier, he’d been furious with her, his pride bruised. But now he noticed that she didn’t appear happy in her marriage. She glanced at her husband with a solemn expression on her face.

Why had the countess invited them here tonight? He hadn’t seen her in months. Or had the earl insisted on it? Did he know about their past?

Alaric glanced at Selwyn, but the earl appeared disinterested in the ball. And in his wife, for that matter. It clearly had not been a love match—so why had she married the earl instead of him? It made no sense at all.

And yet…strangely, he wasn’t as bothered by it as he’d thought he would be. He’d wanted to see her, to know for himself why she’d married Selwyn.

But even without an answer, Alaric was starting to realise that the countess’s choice had pushed him into the arms of a woman who deserved to be treated better. He had a wife who had done her best to make their marriage a good one. And he owed it to her to meet her halfway. They could build something strong upon the foundation of friendship.

He turned his attention back to Charlotte. She was still far too pale, and he wondered why she’d wanted to dance with him. ‘Are you feeling all right?’

‘I am still a bit dizzy and hot,’ she admitted. ‘But I’ll be fine.’

He couldn’t remember ever seeing her unwell, and it worried him slightly as he pulled her closer. ‘Would you rather stop dancing? I could take you home.’

She shook her head. ‘It’s nothing.’ After a slight pause, her expression softened. ‘Do you know, this is the first time I’ve ever danced with you.’

Her voice held wistfulness, and he gave her hand a slight squeeze, not knowing what to say. He simply moved her through the motions, and her green eyes warmed. It occurred to him that he was fortunate indeed to have married her. Charlotte was a sensible woman—and it wasn’t hard to like her. There was no denying she was strong-willed—especially after she’d placed snowmen and thorny bouquets in the house.

‘You’re a good partner to dance with,’ he said. He’d never liked balls, but in this moment he didn’t mind being with her. Except that, right now, he wanted to take her home early and help her unfasten every button of that crimson gown. Charlotte reminded him of a bright poppy in a field of flowers—making it impossible to look at anyone but her.

While they danced, he rested his hand upon her spine and then leaned in closer. Though he didn’t speak, he inhaled the soft scent of her skin. Tonight, he decided. He would invite her back into his bed.

She rested her forehead against his cheek, and the affection only made him crave her more. Instead, he chose a safe topic for conversation. ‘How is your sister?’

‘Fine. Evelyn is fine.’ But there was something in her voice that held a heaviness. And he didn’t know what it was.

The dance ended, and Alaric escorted her to the side of the room. Before he could ask her again to return home with him, the earl approached.

‘Your Grace, I am glad that you and the duchess could attend our ball this evening.’ Lord Selwyn nodded in greeting. ‘I wanted to offer my felicitations on your marriage.’

From the man’s tone, Alaric suspected the earl was fully aware of his prior relationship with Lenora. But there was no malice in it. If anything, Selwyn seemed calm about the situation.

Alaric murmured his thanks but had nothing else to say.

Charlotte gave a polite nod and said, ‘I must congratulate you and your wife as well. I hope you are as happy together as His Grace and I are.’

‘Indeed.’ The earl inclined his head and regarded Alaric. ‘I imagine this marriage was exactly what you needed.’

Although there was nothing wrong with what he’d said, there was a subtle hint at him marrying Charlotte for her dowry. Alaric moved his hand to the small of her back. ‘I had many choices for a bride. And I chose her.’

His wife turned to look at him, and he didn’t miss the uncertainty in her eyes.

The earl’s gaze turned knowing. ‘It’s good to hear that you married the woman you wanted.’ Then with a slight smile, he turned to leave.

The remark felt like a reminder that Lenora had turned him down. And yet…it didn’t seem to matter as much any more.

Alaric was starting to realise that his earlier panic at Charlotte’s decision to attend this ball had been the fear that she would be hurt. He’d wanted to be here to protect her, to ensure that there was no confrontation with Lenora. Charlotte deserved her place as his duchess.

Beside him, his wife had gone pale again, and Alaric wondered if she was still feeling unwell. ‘Would you like me to take you home?’

She hesitated. ‘If you would rather stay, I can go back with a footman. You needn’t go home early on my account.’ Though she tried to keep her voice even, he didn’t miss the way her gloved hands were clenched together.

He’d never seen her like this before, and he kept his hand on her spine. ‘No, it’s all right. There’s no reason for us to stay any longer.’

Alaric didn’t bother offering an excuse to Lord and Lady Selwyn. Right now, he only wanted to get Charlotte out of here.