That was all he said. Elaine felt her anxiety dissipate, a tentative smile gracing her lips. Thankfully, she was saved from answering when the dance set drew to a close and they were forced to stand apart. She curtsied, hoping he would want to continue their conversation. Hoping that longing wasn’t apparent on her face.
“I hope you do not think you can get rid of me that easily, my lady,” he said as he immediately bridged the gap between them once more. “I have decided that you will be my company for the rest of the evening.”
No matter how hard she tried, there was no suppressing the wide, joyous smile that spread across her face. “Do I not have any say in this?”
“It depends. If you agree with me, then you most certainly do.”
“And if I do not?”
“Then I shall make sure that you do. I can be rather persistent.”
“Persistent or annoying?”
“They are one and the same, I’m sure. Perhaps I shall simply have to annoy you into becoming friends. I have no qualms with that.”
She laughed again. He was flirting with her. Elaine was almost certain of it. She’d read enough books to know how it sounded and this was it. Even if he mentioned being friends, certainly his interest went deeper than that.
The hope she’d tucked aside came rushing to the fore once more—hope that she may truly find love in her quest to save her family. Could she find it in the Duke of Ryewood?
The thought sent her heart racing as he offered her his arm. She took and together they made their way off to the side, standing close to that potted plant she’d wanted to hide behind before. Elaine had to keep herself from glancing up at him at every opportunity.
“I would like to become friends with you too, Your Grace,” Elaine said boldly. “But I’m afraid it will not be that easy.”
“Oh?” he probed, brows lifting.
“You see, there are two people in my life who may…deter you. And one of them is on their way over.”
She smiled as Lorna appeared. She’d seen her aunt coming from the moment they walked off the dancefloor and Elaine knew it was a matter of time before they were interrupted. Thankfully, it wasn’t James. Elaine didn’t know how His Gracewould stand up against James’ overbearing protectiveness but she didn’t want to find out any time soon.
Lorna was the first step. She knew the Ton, she knew how to conduct herself during the London Season. She knew who would be thebest fit for Elaine. Someone kind, someone generous, and someone wealthy.
Elaine hoped that the Duke of Ryewood was all three.
Chapter Six
Michael exhaled a quiet breath of relief upon seeing that it was Lady Abney and not the glowering viscount who approached them. He could handle the dowager viscountess right now. Lord Abney, on the other hand, may be a little difficult and he was not yet far enough in his plan to take on that challenge.
As the dowager viscountess came to stand in front of them, Elaine said, “Aunt Lorna, this is His Grace, the Duke of Ryewood. Your Grace, this is my aunt, the Dowager Viscountess of Abney.”
“A pleasure, my lady,” Michael replied courteously.
“As it is for me, Your Grace,” Lady Abney said, dipping into a curtsy. Despite her genteel manners, she made no effort to conceal the scrutinous look she directed at him. “I did not know you two were acquainted.”
“Lord Weatherby introduced us just now,” Elaine explained, her voice tinged with nervousness as she rushed to articulate her words. “And His Grace asked me to dance.”
“I had very little choice in the matter, my lady,” Michael replied, his tone sombre.
Lady Abney and Elaine both looked at him with surprise and confusion. “Why do you say that?” asked the dowager viscountess.
“When confronted with such beauty, what choice remains but to request a dance? I simply wished to share in Lady Elaine’s company a while longer and she indulged me.”
Elaine flushed furiously. He’d watched her cheeks grow red a handful of times already and each time was more endearing than the last. The plan was veering off its course. He didn’t want to seduce her, didn’t need to involve romance if he did notneed to. But from the moment their eyes met, he found himself flirting with her as if it were love at first sight.
While Elaine blushed and tried to hide her smile, Lady Abney looked rather pleased.
“How kind of you to express such sentiments, Your Grace,” she responded. “It is always nice to meet a charming young man with a silver tongue. Though Elaine’s exceptional beauty is indeed common knowledge amongst nearly every man in attendance.”
“And quite rightfully so,” he heard himself say. “I merely lament asking her to dance so early. I should have saved it for the last set.”
