“I am. Thank you, Your Grace.” She gave him a shy smile, smoothing her skirt. “We should… probably head back into the ballroom.”
He stepped toward her, a sudden hunger in his eyes. “Are you sure?”
No, of course, I am not sure! I would like nothing more than to feel his lips kissing mine again, but surely he knows this. He is simply playing with me.
“Your Grace, you know that we cannot?—”
He interrupted her by wrapping his large hands around her face, smashing his lips into hers. Her eyes widened in shock before she gave in, kissing him back. They both pulled away for a breath a moment later, and she backed away from him.
“We must not do that again,” she said, but she could not help but grin.
“I agree. We ought to not repeat this mistake,” he replied, bowing his head before smirking at her.
She nodded, placing her hands on her cheeks and attempting to cool them down, her mind suddenly overwhelmed by the thought of the mistake she just made. She knew it was wrong to kiss him, but she wanted to do it again.
He ran his fingers down her arm, teasing her fingertips before stepping back toward the ballroom. “I will head back first. We would not want to be seen coming from a dark corridor together.”
Alice gave a small nod, watching as he straightened his jacket and walked down the hall to the door, winking at her before sliding into the sudden sliver of light and disappearing into the other room.
She sighed, releasing the breath she had not realized she was holding, and smoothed her dress before taking her time back to the ballroom.
As she slipped back into the bustling room, the heat from the crowd hit her in a wave. She walked around the perimeter, bumping shoulders with people occasionally before she finally found Grace in the spot where she had left her near the door.
“Where have you been? I thought I lost you,” Grace said, startled by Alice’s hand on her shoulder.
“I needed some air, I just went into the hall for a moment.”
“The Earl is looking for you.”
“Where is he?” Alice looked around the room frantically, as if she would be able to see anyone through the surrounding crowd with her small stature. “I thought he was not supposed to be here.”
“He just told me to tell you something about the foyer,” Grace said. “Let us make haste. He has not been waiting too long, surely.”
“I wish I had known.”
I wish I had known to not be making out with the Duke in the darkness of an abandoned hallway when my possible suitor had shown up, looking for me!
The women made their way to the cool foyer, taking comfort in the lower temperature, before scanning the room for Lord Eaton. Eventually, Alice found him speaking to a mousy girl who was practically bouncing with nervousness which made her brown curls bounce with her. She grasped a flute of some bubbling drink from a passing tray and made her way over.
Relief hit the Earl’s expression as soon as she approached.
“Lord Eaton, you were looking for me?” Alice curtsied to the two of them.
The girl, whom Alice did not know, gave her a look of annoyance, but Alice had more important matters to worry about than this stranger’s opinion of her. The next few months were crucial to her escape from her brother, and she needed to secure a match.
Obviously, the Duke will not be helping me much in that regard. Though, this all would be a lot easier if…
“Miss Snow, do you have room on your dance card?” The Earl gestured to the small paper that was tied to her wrist, causing the girl to saunter away. “Thank you, I just hardly arrived and was bombarded. There must be several gentlemen missing still tonight.”
“Indeed, I did notice the ladies were a bit agitated tonight.” She smiled. “I have room for a dance tonight.”
“Wonderful. I wanted to discuss something with you.” He grasped her hand and led her back into the room, grinning at everyone they passed. She politely nodded numerous times before they finally made it to the floor. “Is the Duke here tonight? Have you danced with him?”
“I—” She paused as she took his hand, reminded that while they did dance, it was not public. “No. We have not danced tonight. Why?”
“Because I want to begin actively courting you, Miss Snow. I told you about my family and how important it is to me that they are taken care of. You are a beautiful woman with a kind heart. Better than most here.”
She felt her cheeks start to burn, and she smiled as they swayed to the beat of the orchestra. “You are too kind.”
