“You are insufferable.” She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled.
“And you, Miss Snow, are blushing.”
She sighed, looking down before finally mustering the courage to say what was on her mind. “Your Grace, I apologize if this is forward, but what exactly is your relationship with Lady Camilla?”
“What do you mean? She is a friend.” He smiled, looking down at her. “Are you jealous, Miss Snow?”
“I—” she stuttered, trying to form a sentence as the Duke’s handsome gaze bored into her. “I simply wondered why you had not asked her for help if you two were…”
“She does not do business with me. I gambled a bit too hard with her when we were children, and she lost a pony.”
Alice’s embarrassed expression melted into a smile. “I beg your pardon? You bet on a horse?”
“She claimed that I would not beat her at a game of croquet. And now, Jackson the Hackney Pony is living lavishly on my property.”
“You are truly a surprise.” She giggled.
“I am glad I can keep you interested.” He leaned closer, causing her to practically stop breathing right then and there. She looked away, hiding her blush.
She watched as their steps landed rhythmically on the pebbled path, the crunching sound putting her mind at ease. Alice was acutely aware of the distance between them closing, and suddenly their knuckles brushed against one another, sending a jolt of electricity through her.
It had to have been an accident. Then again, he is a shameless flirt, and I would not put it past him to try to steal another kiss. Not that I would mind, necessarily…
She decided to say nothing, and they walked in silence for a while, passing a fountain that dribbled out clear water that reflected the lights from the manor. She peered in, a small smile growing on her face as she looked down at the coins and stones tossed into the basin.
“Seeing something amusing in there?” The Duke stood next to her.
“It is endearing to see everyone’s wishes down there,” she mused. “All of those hopes and dreams at the bottom of a pool.”
He was quiet for a moment, and she looked over to see him reaching down into his pocket and pulling out two silver coins. “How about we add ours?”
She looked down at his palm, the shillings sparkling. She gazed back up at him, her heart leaping as she met his eyes, whose color matched the silver shimmer of the coins.
He smirked, leaning closer to her and practically sucking the air out of the atmosphere. She quickly grabbed the coin from him, turning away before she became any more ensnared in his look, and closed her eyes.
I wish to find my perfect match this Season.
She looked back up to the Duke as he flipped his coin in his hand thoughtfully, his hair falling down over his eyes in that perfect way, before throwing her coin into the water with a small splash. He followed suit and then stepped away from the fountain, giving her an enticing smile that sent a shiver down her arms.
“Would you like to head inside?” he asked, assuming she was cold.
“I think that would be best.” She nodded politely.
In reality, she wanted to stay out here forever. Turning around and heading back to the party was one step closer to having to leave the Duke’s side and return to her home, where her brother would undoubtedly be waiting for her.
Who knew what he had in store as a punishment for her outburst and Rowan’s intrusion?
He told Richard we are in a courtship. How long would that lie hold? Could it protect me long enough to find a real suitor, or will it spread like wildfire throughout the ton and ruin my chances? Nobody knows now, but surely, by the next event, everyone will be speaking about it.
As she had the thought, she realized she had not even seen the Earl all evening. She looked around once they made their way back to the main house but did not recognize any of the carriages as being his.
“I do not believe the Earl was here tonight, Miss Snow,” the Duke said suddenly.
She looked up at him, but his attention was not on her. She followed his gaze to the crowd of ladies that were approaching him. His grip tightened on her arm, and she felt a sense of pride, knowing that she was able to make him feel safe, just as he did her.
“Your Grace! Dancing has just commenced. Please join me?”
“Oh, I want the next dance, Your Grace.”
