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And it wasn’t that she wasn’t prone to awkwardness, she was. But that had been excessive even for her. Even she could meet a man’s gaze and murmur the proper introduction. In fact, her quiet nature just made her appear demure in those opening meetings. It was one of her assets.
She seemed determined to show her worst side to this man always.
“Lady Evelyn,” he replied. “Nice to see you again.”
He didn’t sound like he was pleased. In fact, his tone rang with annoyance. “And you.”
He gave a bow, stiff and jerky before he held out his hand.
Evie’s brow crinkled in confusion. What did he want?
Her mother let out one of those breaths that told her she should know but it took her another moment before the dance card, tied with a ribbon to her wrist, fluttered enough to catch her notice.
Of course.
How foolish of her.
He’d felt bad for what had happened to her earlier and now he was going to make it up to her by dancing with her just before dinner so that they might sit together for the meal.
A pity arrangement.
Not that she was complaining. She could use any advantage that might be given to her. While she wasn’t that interested in the duke’s suit, his attention would only aid her pursuit of marriage.
But even knowing that, between his angry look and the way his fingers opened and closed as if annoyed she’d not yet furnished the card, she knew this was bound to be a long evening.
But Evie dutifully caught the card with her fingers and allowed him to fill in the dance he’d requested that afternoon. “You’ve no one else on your card,” he said as he finished.
More heat flared in her cheeks. As if she needed the reminder.
“We wanted to leave it available for you, Your Grace,” her mother supplied with a large smile.
Evie looked over at her. She always managed to have a few dances claimed. But she was rarely the sort who spent all night twirling about.
“How considerate,” the duke rumbled darkly.
“Perhaps Lady Evelyn might also like a bit of air?” his aunt asked as she gave him a subtle nudge.
Perfect.
His aunt was in league with her mother. Which meant there was likely to be several more awkward interactions to come.
The duke made a noise in the back of his throat that sounded distinctly like a growl but he dutifully held out his arm to her.
Did she dare take it?
This was proving to be one of the most awkward exchanges she’d ever had. Well, that wasn’t true.
This afternoon had been worse. There was nothing quite so demoralizing as being covered in sticky goo in front of a handsome man.
But her mother gave her a small push in the small of her back and Evie slipped her gloved fingers into the crook of his arm.
He started around the edge of the room, conversation stopping with every group they passed. Evie’s chin dipped again as her fingers inadvertently tightened on his arm.
“We’ll be done soon enough,” he said, his voice low, just above a whisper, as they passed another group. Did he understand how awkward being the center of attention was for her?
“Thank goodness,” she mumbled. “I don’t know how you do it.”
But those words made him pause and then her chin rose up to look at him. He gazed quizzically back. “Do what?”
