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Mia tried not to smile. A part of her liked the idea of snaring a very eligible bachelor from the highborn ladies. Although, she doubted what she saw in those women’s eyes was envy. She could have sworn there was pity there.
“I do believe the dancing is about to begin.”
“Dancing?” It hadn’t occurred to her before now but she had no idea how to dance. And she was at a ball! Of course, there would be dancing. Her hands started to tremble. “Simon,” she whispered, “I have no idea how to dance.”
“Indeed?” Simon’s chestnut brows furrowed. “This is all my fault. I should have thought about it and brought in a dance instructor before the ball.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “If you had married a real lady, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Mia, I never wanted a ‘real’ lady.” He stared down at her with love in his eyes. “I wanted you.”
“You did?” Was that really love she saw in his eyes? Tonight when they were alone, she would tell him how she felt about him. It was time to be honest with him. Even if he didn’t love her, at least he would know that he was loved.
“Of course, I did.” He kissed her gloved hand. “The dancing does not matter. When we return home, I will find you an instructor.”
“Thank you, Simon.” The man was so generous when he really shouldn’t be spending any money. “I don’t need an instructor. You can teach me.”
“Well, that might be very interesting,” he replied with a smile. He tilted his head. “Here comes the duchess.”
Mia turned just as Selina and the duke arrived. There was still something about the duke that made her nervous. Hopefully, in time, she would come to know him better. “Good evening, Your Graces,” she said with a quick curtsy.
“Please tell me you are jesting with that curtsy, Mia,” Selina said with a laugh. “I never want to see you do that again.”
“Why? Did I do that wrong?”
“No, the execution was perfect. But you are my dearest friend and should never bow down before me again.” Selina shook her head as she smiled. “Now come along. Let us show these people that the new Duchess of Northrop and the Countess of Hartsfield are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Why do I feel this could be trouble,” Simon said to the duke.
“Because they are nothing but trouble,” the duke replied.
Selina turned and stuck out her tongue at her husband as she and Mia walked away. “Come along, Mia.”
Mia laughed at her friend’s antics. But as they walked away, she noticed many people staring and whispering. She was certain the people were gossiping about them. Hopefully, they were noticing that Mia had the ear of a duchess.
They walked the room and as they did, Selina introduced her to a few people who Selina had already met. One or two of the women seemed genuinely pleasant, while others remained cold and aloof toward her. Mia didn’t care. She was at her first ball with her dearest friend in the world. The only thing that could make this night better was if her sister was with them.
Mia glanced around to see where Simon was, only to find him sneaking out the terrace door. The poor man really had an issue with crowds. She wanted to run outside and join him but Selina had to introduce her to a few more people.
“Mia, this is Miss Layton. We met the last time North and I went to London. Miss Layton, this is—”
“Oh, we have met,” Evelyn Layton said with one eyebrow raised.
“You have?” Selina asked.
Mia attempted to keep herself from scowling at the younger woman. “Yes, we met. Miss Layton and her family arrived a few days ago.”
“I see,” Selina said. “Since you two have met, we should continue around the room.” Selina led Mia away quickly. “What was that about? I could feel the ice forming around you both.”
“She’s the one I was talking to the other night when she mentioned some incident in London with Simon.”
Selina moved her to a secluded section of the room. “Didn’t you say anything to Hart about it?”
“No,” she admitted slowly. “We got off topic.” Her cheeks flamed as she remembered exactly how off topic they got.
“Ah,” Selina said with a smile. She introduced Mia to a few other people.
Mia pulled her aside. “How do you know so many of these people? You’ve only been the duchess for two months!”
