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“Why not? The duke did. He lowered himself many times actually.”
Lily winced at the double entendre. “If you’ll excuse me, there are many young men waiting for the honor of dancing with me.”
“No, I don’t think so,” Amelia said tersely. “You and I need to have a little chat.”
“I can’t think of anything we need to chat about.”
“You’re going to step aside.” Amelia looked Lily square in the eye. “You’re not going to marry the duke.”
“Ha! Fat lot you know. I’ve been trying to step aside. He won’t let me.”
“My God, do you ever tell the truth?”
“I tell nothing but the truth. I’m afraid he has his heart set on me, though. I know it must hurt to be the loser in our little game. Ta-ta.” Lily pushed Amelia out of her way and headed back toward the ballroom.
Amelia grabbed her arm. “You will step aside, is that clear?”
“You have a lot of nerve. And if I don’t?”
“You’ll be sorry.”
“I’m already sorry. Sorry that I gave more than two seconds to this conversation. Good evening.”
Anger surged through Lily when she reentered the ballroom.
Daniel came to her. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Aren’t you going to dance with me again?”
“It’s bad form for me to monopolize you.”
“Thank God. My feet are killing me. Could we take a walk?”
“Your feet are killing you, so you want to walk?” He gave her a lazy half smile.
“Just walk me to the library or the parlor, so I can sit down in peace.”
“All right. Come on.”
He led her to the dark library and lit a lamp on a small table. Lily collapsed on a sofa.
“What I wouldn’t give for some warm water and Epsom salts right now. I’ve never danced that much in one evening. Never even half that much.”
Daniel sat down next to her and pulled her legs onto his lap. He removed her slippers and gently massaged her feet.
Lily closed her eyes, leaning into the lush comfor
t of the cushion. “Oh, that’s heavenly.”
“Just relax.”
Lily yawned and stretched her arms. “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
“I don’t know what my mother and Aunt Lucy have planned for the guests, but I’ll be in London.”
“All day?”
“I’m afraid so. I’m leaving before dawn, and I won’t be back in time for dinner. But I’ll see you the next day.”
