Page 47 of A Duke in Her Fate
“Ladies,” Verity called after they had made their way through the final course. She smiled as she rose to her feet. “We shall take ourselves to the parlor to leave the gentlemen to their drinks. Do not stay long,” she added to Tristan softly on her way out the door.
Isla followed. She was handed a sherry in the parlor, and then greeted by Genevieve, another duchess, who engaged her until the gentlemen joined them.
“Ah,” Sherton sang as he walked over. “The sun shines too brightly here, I cannot bear it for long. Such beauty in this room is sure to leave a poor man with a broken heart.”
Rolling her eyes, Genevieve scolded him, “You shouldn’t flirt with married women.”
“Oh, it is harmless,” Verity countered.
Isabel was there as well to chuckle between them. “It is harmless for us, who are adored and in turn adore our husbands. Should I have half the heart I do, I might be tempted. You be careful, Sherton, you do not break the hearts of any poor woman in London.”
“Then there is hope for us yet, my dear?” He asked playfully.
Around came her husband, clearing his throat. “I don’t think so. Isabel, must I lock you away to keep you mine?”
She beamed. “No, but a dance would surely help remind me you have my heart.”
Two of the other guests, sisters of a baron, gasped. “Oh, we would love to play the piano. We’ve been practicing. Might we have a dance or two?”
“I would adore that,” Isabel said eagerly. “Please do.” She helped them attend the piano and agreed to turn pages. Then she motioned to everyone else in the party. “Please take your positions, friends!”
Those that were married went to each other. Another lord or two took a lady’s hand. Isla started to look for Ronan before Sheron was at her side.
“Might I? It is only a dance,” he reassured her with a playful wink.
She chuckled as cheer warmed her heart. “Certainly, my lord.”
“Actually, this dance is mine.”
They both jumped, turning to see Ronan right there. Sherton took a step back with a partial bow. As for Isla, she was too surprised to react. Ronan took her hand and led her to join the other couples before she could think of any words.
And then they were dancing. Surprise softened into confusion, especially with how close he held her. It was hardly appropriate. And when he took her hand, he held it tight.
What is he doing? Is he upset with me?
“Do be mindful,” she whispered. She didn’t know how to explain the tension between them and how she didn’t like it. When he looked down with a frown, she decided to gesture to the bandage sticking out of her long gloves. It felt rather childish to use this for his attention, but she couldn’t think of what else to say in the moment. “Please.”
He exhaled so deeply his breath stirred her hair. “Right, sorry.”
While Ronan was careful moving forward, she could tell he was keeping her closer than usual. She looked around in case anyone else noticed. It didn’t appear to be the case––everyone was enjoying themselves. They couldn’t sense the tension radiating off Ronan like he was a sun. Something was happening with him, and she didn’t know what to do, what to think.
Then the dance ended. She curtseyed and then looked up with a thought to thank Ronan.
Except he was looking over her head, glaring beyond them. At Sherton. The questions all came together with an answer she didn’t care for.
Oh good lord, is that what this is all about?
She huffed just loud enough to catch Ronan’s attention. “Was that truly necessary?”
After all, it didn’t mean anything.
But that didn’t stop the duke from leaning forward. Hair fell in his gaze, but she still looked back up at him. They couldn’t look away. She felt her heart skip a beat as he whispered in a stern tone, “You’re mine, Isla. I would appreciate you to remember that.”
That garnered a most curious shiver down her spine. Not for a second was she afraid of him.
Only she was a little afraid of the warm sensation that flooded through her when she thought of that look in his eyes. Like he had claimed her for himself. And she was a little afraid of how much she liked that idea.
CHAPTER 17
