Page 80 of A Duke in Her Fate
It’s a small miracle that is all mine and I can hardly comprehend it.
“Careful,” Ronan murmured as he led her around the final corner. “This is ridiculously crowded. Perhaps I should have taken you up on the offer to leave.”
She chuckled. “I never actually suggested we leave the ball, simply that we didn’t dance. But you did dance with me, and if you can dance with me, you can suffer a little crowd.”
“You’re fortunate I suffer so well.”
That made her laugh outright. Judging by the spark in Ronan’s eye, he meant for that to happen.
She could hardly believe this was really happening. The duke almost appeared to be enjoying himself. No, he did, only he was trying––not that hard, mind you––to pretend that wasn’t the case. But she saw the way his eyes lit up around his friends, the other dukes, and the way he looked at her when they danced.
There came that blush again. She could feel the heat in her cheeks spreading down her neck and across her ears. It couldn’tbe helped. Ronan was right at her side, charming her, and she felt warm and thrilled to be around him.
“Here,” he said as he offered her a goblet. “They’re replacing the sherry so this is all that is left.”
She took a sip and nearly choked, sputtering. “What on earth is in that?”
Grinning, he drained his glass before nudging hers back to her lips. “Port, of course. Indulge a little. You need something to explain those pretty cheeks or yours or people will start wondering what I’m doing to you.”
“You’re getting me drunk,” Isla scoffed. She blushed some more but took another sip, more measured. She wasn’t used to any sort of drink like this, but was surprised at how it grew sweeter with every gulp.
Then the glass was taken away. “All right, not that much,” Ronan said with ease. “You can get drunk on our way out the door.”
“Are we leaving now then?” She eyed the glass that he now drained, clearly unaffected.
Or is he? Is it the warmth of the room or is he blushing too? How dashing he appears.
“Not yet,” he decided before nodding ahead. “It looks like Lord Elroy wants my attention.”
Gasping, she glanced around and spotted the fellow. “You were looking for him today, weren’t you? For the bill you mentioned. Go on, then you need to catch him before you miss him again.”
An aggravated look crossed over her husband. “But here? He should have been at home which I went to him this morning, not when I’m trying to have an evening with my wife.”
There was no denying the thrill that ran up her spine when she heard him say that. She took the two glasses from Ronan to put on the passing tray of a servant. Then she nudged her husband on, knowing he needed a moment with the lord. “It should only take a moment. Go on, and then you can come find me.”
“Find you? Don’t you dare go anywhere,” he started.
“Find me,” she teased. “It’ll be fun. Go!”
Ronan gave her hand a squeeze as though he were reminding her she was his. Her cheeks grew even hotter. Watching him go, she couldn’t feel the least bit put out as she was the one sending him away. But he would return, and soon, she was sure.
In the meantime, he is right. It’s very warm in here. If the terrace is welcome, I think a moment in the fresh air will put me back to rights.
Off Isla went, quietly humming to the music as she walked the edge of the rooms to find her way to the doors leading outside. They were cracked open, not fully revealing the outdoors. Butshe noticed a straggler or two and lanterns were lit. It wasn’t entirely off limits. Besides, she wouldn’t be here long.
Moving further away from the ball inside, Isla inhaled deeply the night air. Down below the terrace were the gardens. Fragrant scents washed over her, and she moved toward the stairs for a better sniff.
“Ah, there is the daring duchess.”
Isla gripped the railing tight and nearly tumbled over in surprise at the familiar voice. She twisted about whilst ignoring the wild beating of her heart.
Emerging from the shadows came Lord Percival Dunn. It appeared like he had been waiting there for some time. There was a twisted sneer on his face as he glowered at her, his beady eyes narrowing.
“My lord.” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t see you. I was… I was just leaving.”
Isla turned to go but his words stopped her. “Leave if you want to be the selfish one.”
His words made no sense. She should just go. There was a voice inside her mind telling her to run off. Glancing about to ensure no one was watching them, Isla forced herself to look at the lord. She managed a tight smile and tried to be polite. It felt only right to do this little after refusing him.
