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Michael laughed, but quickly got distracted by Lydia’s hopping steps in the dance. She looked so carefree and lively.
“Do be careful,” Joseph warned him in a low voice. “You tumble that girl, and you ruin whatever chances she has at a real marriage. And, while I promise to be your second if it comes to a duel, I’d rather prefer to keep you out of that sort of trouble.”
“Who says I’m going to bed her?” Michael asked, surprised. “I merely wish to have a bit of fun with her before I expose her lie.”
“That look in your eye says you don’t mean the innocent sort of fun,” Joseph pointed out.
He only smirked in response, observing the dance until it was time for him to reclaim Lydia’s hand. He was tempted to follow her when her partner escorted her to the refreshments table. Waiting by Joseph’s side until the next set was ready to start, he did not lose sight of her in the crowd. Once it was time, he made his way to her.
Her partner was still entertaining her with a story of hunting with his dogs, at which Lydia was politely laughing. When she saw Michael approach, her genuine smile faded. She kept a polite one, for him.
“Your Grace,” the man greeted, bowing. He took Lydia’s glass and said, “Thank you for the dance, Lady Lydia, it was most enjoyable.”
Michael almost found himself annoyed at how pleased she looked when she curtsied back at the man. He cleared his throat and offered his hand. “My lady, if you would, please.”
She put her dainty hand in his, following him stiffly out to the dance floor. Standing side by side, Michael asked her, “So, how does one go about getting engaged, these days?”
He was rewarded by her deep flush. The music began, sending them into the steps of the quadrille.
“Is it so easy to just announce the engagement, and hope that it’s true?”
“You have my sincerest apologies,” she whispered. “It got a bit out of hand.”
“Is that what you call it?” he asked, smirking.
She did not respond. He looked her up and down, letting his eyes wander from her pale neck to her bosom, even to her rump as she turned. When she turned back to face him, he grinned rakishly, knowing that she caught him ogling her.
His boldness caused her eyes to glint. “I picked you,” she told him in a low voice, “as you were the most unlikely suitor I could think of.”
“And why is that?” he asked, grinning impishly. “My devilish good looks?”
She glared at him, not laughing at his jokes. “I would think us equal there, Your Grace.”
“So, you do find me handsome, then?” he asked, teasingly. She turned away from him. “Would you admit it, if I told you that I found you attractive?”
“You are bold, Your Grace,” she replied politely, keeping her head turned still.
“I might be bolder,” he whispered when she was close again. “I think, perhaps, you might have thought me your first choice of suitors, if you had your pick.”
“We’ve barely spoken!” she said, shocked.
“You need not speak to have desires.”
While he thought she would blush again, she met his gaze with a fiery look. “Is this how you hope to embarrass me, then? Treat me rakishly and shame me to society?”
“Perhaps, it might suit me to let this farce play out,” he said, grinning. “See how long you hope to keep up the charade, especially if I reward you with my worst behavior.”
“I pray, please mind your voice,” she hissed. “We are not in private.”
Michael glanced around at the neighboring dancers, all engrossed in their own conversations and flirting. “I would have you in private, if I could.”
She gasped at his boldness, which made him laugh. Yet, a small arch of her eyebrow suggested she had a small interest in pursuing the thought.
“Does that intrigue you, my lady?” he whispered seductively. “Shall I whisk you off in private, tell you what I really think of your wickedness?”
She clenched her jaw, turning away from him again, but did not respond. Try as she might to hide her expression, Michael knew that he had struck a chord within her. A part of him desperately wanted to get her away from the crowd. Thoughts of ripping her gown from the neckline to expose her breasts invaded his mind. She caught him staring again and swallowed. As her neck moved, he wondered how she would taste if he kissed her there.
“So, you mean to punish me, then,” she sniffed. “I will not make it easy for you.”
“You have no choice,” Michael warned. “You created this sham, so you must decide to live with it, or expose yourself as a fraud.”
The music ended. Lydia turned to face Michael and curtseyed low. He wondered if she intentionally posed herself for his observation.
“If you will excuse me, Your Grace,” she said, “I’m quite tired and must sit out for a moment.”
Michael watched her turn and storm away with quiet amusement.
