Page 45 of The Duke’s Matchmaker

He wanted it to be over. He wanted to return to Dorothy and tell her what it had been like, and see what she had to say about it. That sounded like much more fun than this dance was.

Over Lady Isabelle’s shoulder, he caught a glimpse of Dorothy. She had resumed her place by the wall, and for a moment, their eyes met. Then she looked away quickly.

Had she been watching him?

He stole another glance at her.

She really did look wonderful in that gown. He had been right to send it to her. He hadn’t even thought of the fact that it matched her eyes, but he supposed now that he must have realized it on some level. That couldn’t have been just a coincidence. And yet, when he thought back on finding it, it was the roses that were front and center in his mind.

He liked that. He liked the fact that the dress had reminded him of Dorothy for a reason that nobody else could see—that even she hadn’t seen.

She looks lovely in my gown, and I’m the only one who truly knows why, he thought, with a burst of pride and possessiveness. I’m the only one who sees her and thinks about the way her cheeks go pink when she’s embarrassed and how beautiful she is when she’s blushing for me…

He stopped himself. What an odd thought that had been. She didn’t belong to him, after all. He hadn’t sent that gown as a way of claiming her. Why should he feel so enthused about the fact that it created a secret bond between the two of them?

I’m just letting my thoughts run away with me because I’m not having a good time with this dance.

It occurred to him, suddenly, that Lady Isabelle must know. She must be able to read his mood from the way he was carrying himself, the same way Dorothy had shown him to do with her.

Ashamed, he refocused his attention on her.

But now her gaze had wandered. In the absence of his focus on her, she had begun to pay attention to other things around the room. He wanted to say something to her, to draw her back to him, but the music ended and she pulled away.

“Thank you,” she said again, politely but with none of the enthusiasm she had had when they’d first spoken. She gave a little curtsy and a smile that seemed a bit sad, then turned and walked away before he could say anything at all in return.

I ruined it, he realized.

He knew he had. She’d been interested in him at first, but by ignoring her during the dance, he had lost her interest. That quickly the idea of Lady Isabelle had gone up in smoke. There would be no winning her back now.

“I’m sure that isn’t true,” Dorothy said when he had told her the story. “I mean, I’m sure there’s still a chance. All you’d need to do would be to explain to her that you were distracted over something. She’d understand. She’s really a very lovely person.”

“I can tell that,” Nathaniel said. “There was nothing wrong with Lady Isabelle. I was the one behaving badly.”

“Well, apologize to her. I’m sure she would give you a second chance, Nathaniel.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “I don’t think it was the right choice anyway, the two of us,” he said. “There was a reason I couldn’t keep my attention on her. She just wasn’t very engaging. I’m sorry I ruined the chance, but if I can’t even imagine going back and trying to repair things. It just wasn’t the right solution after all.”

Dorothy nodded. “All right,” she agreed.

“You don’t mind? I know you’ve put a lot of thought and trouble into helping me talk to her.”

Dorothy laughed. “Mind? Why would that matter?”

She didn’t sound angry, just a bit confused. “I just thought you might be upset that I wasted the opportunity.”

“Well, you can’t marry someone that you don’t want to marry,” she said reasonably. “Even if I was bothered, I would be foolish to expect that of you.”

“I suppose so.”

“But it doesn’t bother me,” she clarified. “I had no particular need to see you settled with Lady Isabelle. She was just the first good idea that came to me. If she isn’t right for you, we’ll come up with someone else.”

Relief filled him. “Thank you,” he said. “I thought you might just give up on me.”

“Of course I wouldn’t do that,” Dorothy said. “We’re in this together, Nathaniel. We’ve already agreed to that. I’ll be in it until you find what you’re looking for, I promise you.”

There was a pause, and their eyes met. She was smiling now, and he recalled that she hadn’t been when he had danced with her earlier. Maybe this would be a chance to have a more enjoyable experience. Maybe she had forgiven him for the misstep of sending that gown—even though he was still glad he had done it.

“Will you dance with me again?” he asked, holding out his hand.