Page 71 of Project Duke

It was his fault. It was all his fault. She wasn’t one of them because he’d failed to provide her with the means and connections and resources to lead the life she deserved.

“Oh, Hazel, but you are.” Calliope laid her hand on top of his sister’s. “You’ve always been. Whether you have a frock or not, whether you pick up the right fork, or not, it doesn’t matter. You choose your own path, darling. You define where you want to be, who you want to see and who you don’t.”

“Of course…” he croaked.

The image of someone like that damned William King being as nasty to Hazel as he was to Calliope made Nathaniel writhe with anger. He was losing control. And losing control meant being unable to ensure their safety. Their well-being.

As Hazel grinned at him, her excitement and joy broke his heart. How could he entrust her to another man? What if someone hurt her? The more she was out, the more chances someone nasty would take a liking to her, and he wouldn’t be there to make sure she was protected.

He felt his resolve to be a better man crumbling and his instinct to hide everyone he loved in this world taking over. Even if they’d hate him forever, at least they’d be alive.

But no. He was not a caveman. He was a duke. A rational man. A civilized man. He’d be there for Hazel and make sure no one offended her.

Even if he felt like he was about to go completely mad, trying to ensure all the females in his life were safe…

26

“Hazel, darling, are you nervous?” asked Calliope.

The poor thing kept clutching her gloved hands as she watched the room full of elegantly turned out ladies and gentlemen.

“Of course she’s nervous,” barked Nathaniel, who looked incredibly dashing in his navy uniform and his long hair perfectly combed and tied at the back of his head. Even when he was angry, he didn’t cease to take Calliope’s breath away. “She shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m fine,” said Hazel, who, pale and big-eyed, didn’t look fine at all. “But you’re right, brother, I shouldn’t be here. I told you I didn’t want to be.”

“Yes, you do,” said Grandmama, who stood proudly by Hazel’s side, smiling her wise, eternal smile. “You won’t fool me, Lady Hazel. This is your time, and you want this, no matter how much you’re trying to tell us you don’t.”

The salon of Emma, the Duchess of Loxchester, swarmed with people. It was her first time organizing a real soirée for an exclusive number of members of the ton. And, just like Hazel, she was slightly pale. She stood talking to the admiral, next to Penelope and Preston. Richard and Jane were also here, and Jane—standing and talking to Lady Whitemouth and Lady Isabella, her daughter—gave an excited little wave to Calliope.

There were about twenty more people, including Sebastian’s mama; the Bishop of London; Penelope’s cousin, Alexandria; and the Duchess of Ashton. The presence of Lady Whitemouth and the Duchess of Ashton was especially important for Emma’s improving social status. Her marriage to Sebastian had been quite scandalous, with rumors that she was a farmer’s daughter whom he’d bought at a village auction.

Which was true in part. Emma had been married to a minor landowner, and it was her husband who’d sold her to Sebastian. However, her marriage had been annulled by the Bishop of London after they’d proved that Emma’s former husband had committed fraud when signing the marriage contract.

The scandal lingered, and Lady Whitemouth, a known gossip, was a contributing factor. Sebastian, however, kept defending his wife’s honor tooth and nail, and his mama helped as well, as she had come to adore Emma.

“You’re going to be fine,” said Calliope. “If I know anything about your brother, you’re not in danger of getting married off today or anytime soon.”

Calliope, Hazel, and Grandmama all looked up at Nathaniel, who threw them a sideways glance, arranging his face to appear cold, his shoulders square, his spine as straight as a pole.

“Quite,” he said.

Calliope chuckled and raised her eyebrow as she met Hazel’s gaze. “See. Just enjoy yourself if you can.”

Hazel let out a long sigh, and, for the first time since Calliope had met her, gave Calliope a genuine, friendly smile. “You’re right, sister.”

Sister… Calliope’s heart swelled.

“Come, darling, let me introduce you to some people,” said Grandmama and led Hazel away. “Indeed, enjoy your coming out.”

Calliope turned to Nathaniel, studying him. He looked tense, his gaze never leaving his sister for a moment. “Nathaniel, what is it? Are you really that concerned about Hazel?”

He cleared his throat. “I won’t let anyone hurt her.”

“Of course you won’t. But we’re not in the middle of the rookeries. We’re at a duchess’s soirée in Mayfair. There aren’t even many single young men…” She looked around. “Just two. And one of them clearly prefers male company.”

Nathaniel followed her gaze to find a handsome blond man who stood talking so close to another gentleman their chests almost touched.

The second young man could be more concerning. Tall, dark-haired, and striking, he talked to Lady Isabella, and so far, was not interested in Hazel.