Page 45 of Duke of Rath

“Of course,” chuckled Dorian as he poured another glass and handed it to Patience. As she took the glass, their eyes locked, and their fingers brushed against each other, and even through her gloves she could feel a jolt of pleasure. “Chastity doesn’t go to balls, soirées, dinners, or anything social.”

Patience chuckled. “Right now, as delightful as this evening is, I am quite envious of that privilege.”

Dorian sighed. “So am I.”

Patience met his gaze in surprise. So powerful, so rich, so confident… She didn’t take him for someone who tried to avoid society.

“Ah, stop, you two,” said Dorian’s aunt, who had taken a sip of punch and put her glass back on the table. “My dear new niece must be introduced into the larger society of London. Neither of you have the privilege of hiding from your social obligations. Soon, darling Patience, you will have to throw balls, soirées, dinners for peers, charity events—everything to uphold your husband’s and the Perrin family’s power and connections. Attending soirées and balls is just the first step, and I’m going to help you as much as you need me.

“Ah, Marquess of Huntingham,” Lady Buchanan called.

The man came and bowed to her, and, recognizing Dorian, bowed to him, too. “Rath,” he said with a cold face.

He was a man in his late twenties, Patience estimated, tall and pleasant looking, with high cheekbones and big brown eyes, a square jaw, and a mane of dark brown hair. But there was a barely hidden demeanor of arrogance under his polite expression.

Dorian greeted him with a cold grimace.

“And this is my new niece, the Duchess of Rath,” said Lady Buchanan proudly.

The marquess nodded to her, and his dark, appraising eyes looked over her.

“So pleased to meet you, Marquess,” Patience said.

As the marquess’s gaze stopping briefly at her chest, she felt an onslaught of nerves. She wanted only one man to look at her like that…the one who stood by her side.

Like the Duke of Luhst, this man offered his hand for her to place into his. “The pleasure is mine.”

Patience hesitated. She really didn’t want to do this, but the alternative was embarrassing Dorian or Lady Buchanan with her bad manners. Reluctantly, she put her hand into his, and he placed a kiss on her knuckles.

He held her hand longer than she thought was necessary, and she had to almost tear it away.

“What occupies your time of late, Huntingham?” asked Dorian in a tone of clear annoyance.

“I heard you were looking for a wife?” asked Lady Buchanan.

The marquess nodded. “I still am. Though this season is quite dull. Until I met the new duchess, of course. Admittedly, if I could find a wife as pretty as yours, Duke, I would be the happiest man alive.”

“Well, you will not,” growled Dorian with a stronger tone than was socially acceptable—even Patience knew that as several heads turned into their direction. “She’s already taken.”

The marquess stepped back as his gaze fell on Dorian’s clenched fists. “Clearly, Rath. I was just being friendly. Welcome to London, Your Grace,” he said as he turned around and disappeared into the crowd.

“Dorian!” hissed Lady Buchanan. “Where are your manners?”

Patience blinked, caught off guard by the edge in Dorian’s voice. Did he truly fear the marquess’s charm, or that she might find herself swayed by another?

The notion that Dorian might be concerned over such things sent a surprising warmth spreading through her.

Every gesture, every look, exuded a quiet authority that made her feel safe, cherished. In his presence, she felt a shield against the world’s cruelties, his fierce protectiveness wrapping around her like an unspoken vow. She couldn’t help but admire how he stood up for her, his strength reassuring her that she was never truly alone.

She longed to tell him, to show him that no one else could possibly catch her eye.

For better or worse, he was hers and she was his.

Lady Buchanan introduced her to more people. Lady Whitemouth, who was quite eager to learn about Patience’s family and background and was rather scandalized to hear her father was only a small landowner in the north.

More ladies and gentlemen were introduced, and Patience found herself dancing from person to person. All she had to do was smile and ask them about their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. They all loved to talk about themselves, and she soon felt as if she had made many new friends.

Dorian kept barking at men who said anything pleasant to her. That did scare away several of the gentlemen, who preferred to retreat than deal with his temper.