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She could decline and go back to her wolven. But that was dangerous thinking as well.Herwolven. Before she’d spoken to Oliver, she might have done just that. She’d still been reeling from his sweet courtship when the orc planted some serious doubt about his motivation.
She could hardly blame him. For last night, she would have driven the dagger into his heart if she had been given the chance.
And now, he was in possession of the weapon.
“I have been quite looking forward to our dance,” she finally said.
Martin chuckled. “You must not make such poor attempts to flatter me, for many ladies here are willing to do it honestly. And I am always happy to oblige. But I have a feeling you have been looking forward to it for other reasons.”
A cheer rose from the crowd as the pianist began to play the jaunty tune. Phillipa hooked her arm in Martin’s and followed him to the dancefloor. They bowed to each other as the dance began.
“I would like to talk to you,” she said on her first pass.
“You will find that I am an open book, my lady.”
But he was lost in the spin. She was wary of talking to him out in the open like this, but she if things continued to progress with the wolven, she might not get another chance to speak to Martin before it was too late.
“Did you know my husband?” she asked.
His brows shot up. “You’re married?”
“Yes. No. It’s complicated.” She sighed. It was hard to talk about this while she was bouncing around, dancing with the group. “I was. I am. He disappeared.”
“My deepest condolences.”
“Thank you. I am not looking for sympathy. I was just wondering if you had any prior dealing with the Duke of Chelmsford before you arrived at the Ball.”
The minotaur didn’t answer right away. Martin was most definitely a rake, but he wasn’t a fool. Although he made his intentions for the Ball quite clear, Phillipa believed that he cared about all the participants.
She’d felt safe here. Maybe too safe. But the camaraderie at the Ball was much like what she had found in the woodlands with the fae. Perhaps supernatural creatures were just more accepting than humans.
Whatever it was, she appreciated it, and she’d be sad to leave.
Not like she had anywhere to go. That was weighing heavily on her mind.
Unless you’re promised to someoneby the end of the Ball, she thought.
“No, I don’t believe I am familiar with the Duke of Chelmsford,” Martin finally said. “Although, I would much like to meet the man who won your heart.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say that he probably had, but she’d been too cavalier with her secrets already.
“I have spoken with the wolven several times since we had dinner together,” he added. “He seems quite smitten with you. Not that I can blame him. Almost every beast in the Hall had his eye on you. As I know many of them, they feel free to share their desires with me.”
“How nice of them.” She groaned inwardly. It had never been her intention to catch the eye of any beast at the Monsters Ball; instead, she’d somehow made herself the center of attention.
“There is honor among beasts, you see, my lady. We share a brotherhood that few others can understand. So when a beautiful woman I’d never seen before arrived at the Ball with murder on her mind, it was only fair to alert the potential victim.”
She laughed. “Of course you were the one to tell him.”
Martin’s lips were so close to her ear. If she wasn’t careful, she’d have quite the reputation by the end of the night. “I notice you no longer have your necklace.”
“Maybe I no longer need it.”
“My lady.” The party came to a halt when Countess Stalbridge charged into the ballroom after an older woman in a dark red dress. Her dark hair and face were barely visible behind the angle of her hat. Phillipa’s heart stopped. Everything around her stopped, turning to watch a spectacle that was sure to make them forget the wolven’s kiss during the last dance.
No, please no.
“I demand you leave the premises right this instant!” the countess bellowed.
