Bewitching the Duke

by Christie Kelley

  “Selina, I’m so glad you decided to come.” Kate hugged her. “You must meet a friend of mine. Lady Miranda Richmond, Miss Selina White.”

  Lady Miranda smiled. “So good to meet you. Kate has been chattering all evening about you.”

  Selina gave Kate a quizzical look. “Lovely to meet you, Lady Miranda.”

  The musicians finished a country dance. Both Kate and Lady Miranda glanced about the room. Men made their way to dance with the ladies. A tall, handsome man bowed in front of Lady Miranda and asked for the next dance. She quickly agreed. Another man came up to ask Kate the same thing.

  Kate bit her lower lip and slid a glance at Selina. “Perhaps the next dance, Mr. Easton.”

  Selina leaned closer to Kate. “Go dance and have fun. I shall be fine here with a little lemonade.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes, go.”

  “Very well.” Kate linked her arm with Mr. Easton’s and walked toward the dance floor.

  “That was very kind of you but now you are alone.”

  Selina smiled before she turned to the seductive voice behind her. “I could tell your sister wanted to dance. Soon she will be married so she should enjoy herself.”

  “Will you give me the pleasure of this dance?” he asked with his arm held out as if there was no chance she would reject him. And he was right.

  “If you don’t mind trampled toes, I would love to dance with you.”

  “I will take that chance. I’d heard you had a lesson.”

  “A few but I’m not sure how well that will do.”

  He smiled over at her. “Just follow my lead.” He looked her over from head to toe. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I do believe I am about to make every other man in the room envious.”

  Heat swept across her cheeks. “I highly doubt that.”

  He brought her into his arms. “No, I am definitely dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  Chapter 23

  “Why are you here?” Colin asked as they danced. He could not believe he was dancing with Selina at a ball. And she danced as if she’d been doing it for years.

  “Your sister and mother insisted I come along. They said I could tell people I was a companion for your sister while out in the country.”

  “I see.” He had no doubt this was Kate’s way of showing him that Selina could manage quite capably in Society. Not that there was much Society here. But he supposed it was a good way to start.

  “I forgot to tell you that Bertha Baker paid a call on me and told me her father is much improved.” Selina smiled up at him causing his heart to pound.

  “And her worthless brother?”

  “Has not been seen since the day you removed him from your land.”

  “Excellent. At least that’s one problem solved.”

  She giggled. “Only one? How many more problems do you have?”

  He was looking at the biggest one of all. “Only small issues with the estate and getting the tenants’ houses back in order.”

  “As well as your own.”

  “Yes.”

  Before he knew it, the dance had ended. Unable to find Kate, he escorted Selina to his mother for safekeeping. He needed a drink and some air. After picking up a glass of brandy, he headed out on the terrace. The warm night air had made many couples escape the heated room for a chance to kiss in the moonlight.

  Perhaps he should have brought Selina out here with him. Then he could have stolen a kiss from her.

  “Well, what an interesting evening this has turned out to be.”

  Colin turned and smiled at his friends. “Hart, I can understand that you felt obligated to come to this party, but Middleton? What in the world brings you to a country ball?”

  Both men laughed.

  “It’s the social event of the summer,” Middleton quipped. “How could I possibly stay home?”

  “True,” Colin said with a smirk. “Not quite up to the standards of a Season ball.”

  “Hardly,” Middleton commented. “Do you see any loose married women around?” He shook his head. “Disgusting. These married ladies all seem to love their husbands.”

  “And why exactly is Miss White here?” Hart asked.

  “The duchess and my sister thought she should attend. After my sister was ill a few weeks ago, Sel—Miss White and Kate became fast friends.”

  “Selina, is it?” Middleton noted. “How interesting.”

  “Just a slip, Middleton. Nothing more.”

  “Of course.” He glanced back into the ballroom and smiled. “I do see someone I know is not a happily wedded woman. Adieu, gentlemen.” He sipped his brandy and walked away to find some entertainment for the evening.

  Hart leaned against the terrace balustrade. “So why is Miss White here again?”

  “I told you.”

  “So why did you dance with her?”

  “My stepmother insisted.” Colin wondered why his friend had decided to interrogate him.

  “She is quite beautiful,” Hart added. “Perhaps I shall ask her to dance tonight.”

  Colin’s fists clenched around his glass of brandy. “That would not be a good idea, Hart.”

  “Oh?” Hart grinned at him. “I don’t think you have to worry. I did notice the looks she gave you while you were dancing together.”

  “What looks?”

  “The one a woman in love gives to her man.”

  “I do hope you’re right, Hart.”

  “She is a good woman, Northrop. Far too good for a dullard like you.”

  “You’re probably right about that.”

  “Now, I’m off to find a dance partner to fill the time.” Colin decided to stay out here longer. If he went back into the room, he would want to dance with her again. He glanced about until he found a bench that faced the ballroom. He looked up to see Mr. Bainbridge escort Selina to the floor. Colin’s fingers tightened around his glass as jealousy raced within him. He couldn’t ever remember feeling this way when Mary had danced with other men. Why would he with Selina?

  He loved her.

  He had loved Mary too.

  But with Selina, the feelings were different. Stronger. Deeper. With Mary, he had never felt the overpowering lust he felt with Selina. He had loved Mary in a much calmer manner. It was odd actually.

  They were very different people and yet he loved them both.

  Staring into the ballroom, he knew what he had to do tonight. The idea of watching any other men dance with her while she was not legally his was driving him mad.

  He would tell her he loved her.

  And he would propose.

  Watching her dance, he realized just the way to ask her. Every woman in the ton knew that three dances in one night was as good as a proposal. But he doubted Selina knew that little fact. Not that he was trying to embarrass her. By dancing with her three times, everyone in that room would understand what she meant to him. And no one wanted to upset a duke.

  There was no time like the present to set this plan in motion.

  Selina stood by the duchess as Mr. Bainbridge bowed over her hand. The dance had been enjoyable but the company less so. The man did nothing but speak of his hounds. Of course, when a man had ten dogs, what else was there to talk about with a woman?

  “I would love to call on you tomorrow,” he said as he let go of her hand.

  Selina slid a glance to the duchess, begging for assistance.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Bainbridge,” the duchess replied, “but we will not be at home tomorrow. We have several calls to make and then shopping to do.”

  “Of course, I shall stop by another day, then.” After a quick nod, he walked away.

  “And was it dreadful?” the duchess asked with a smirk.

  “Nothing but dogs.”

  “I had heard he does love those hounds.” The duchess gave a little shiver. “Dreadful things.” She leaned in closer. “Some say they ate his late
wife.”

  Selina giggled. “That is a terrible rumor to spread.”

  “I didn’t start the rumor.”

  Selina looked around as another dance started. She had already decided to sit this one out. It was far too warm in this room. She wondered how the gentle-bred ladies of the ton managed without breaking into a sweat or worse, fainting.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

  She glanced back to see Colin holding two glasses of lemonade. “I am.”

  He handed one to her and one to his stepmother. “Would you care to dance again?”

  “Thank you but I need a moment to rest.”

  “Of course,” he said with a quick nod.

  “Northrop,” the duchess said, “Thank you for dancing the first dance with Miss White. It was very kind of you to make certain she didn’t feel left out.”

  “It was my pleasure, Your Grace.”

  Several of the women surrounding the duchess started whispering to each other. Selina wondered what they could be saying so quickly.

  “Would you care for a turn about the room?” Colin asked.

  “I would enjoy that if it is all right with the duchess.”

  The older woman nodded her consent. “Just stay in the confines of this room so I can see you.”

  Colin’s lips twitched. “Of course. And where is Kate?”

  The duchess’s eyes grew large. “She . . . she was here just a moment ago.”

  “That was a terrible thing to do to her,” Selina said as they walked away.

  “Hardly. It was nothing but a gentle reminder that her own daughter should be watched with just as much concern as you.”

  As they walked, Colin would stop and introduce her to people he knew. She would never remember all their names. Not that she had to worry about that. This would be her first and last ball.

  “I do believe another dance is set to begin,” Colin said with a smile. “If I don’t take you on the dance floor now, another gentleman will whisk you away from me.”

  “Very well, we must dance then.” Selina smiled from the sheer enjoyment of the evening. If she had been home tonight, she would have read and then gone to bed, unless she had a tenant to look in on. This was far more pleasant.

  As the musician started, she had a dreadful thought. She tugged on Colin’s sleeve to stop him.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked.

  “I don’t believe I know the steps to this dance.” Heat flooded her cheeks. “Perhaps you should find another partner.”

  He tilted his head closer to hers. “There is no other woman I want to dance with tonight.”

  She blinked quickly. “Thank you.”

  “I mean it.” He tugged her. “Come along. It’s not much different than the other country dances.”

  Reluctantly, she agreed and let him lead her to the dance floor. Not really knowing the steps, she had no chance to speak with him as he told her the steps just before she had to do them. By the time the dance was finished, she was exhausted.

  He led her away chuckling softly. “You didn’t seem to enjoy that as much as the first dance.”

  “No,” she admitted. “It was far too complicated.”

  As he led her back to his stepmother, she noticed several gentlemen milling about the older woman.

  “Damn,” Colin muttered under his breath.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “By dancing with you, I have shown that you are a very eligible young lady. Now they will pester you for dances all evening.”

  “Is that bad?” Wasn’t dancing the whole idea for having a ball?

  “No,” he said but anger laced his voice.

  She glanced over at him and wondered if he could possibly be jealous of the attention. The thought made her feel warm and wonderful all at once. “Would you take me outside for a breath of air?”

  “Why, Miss White, that might be considered quite scandalous.”

  “True, but if I return to your stepmother, I will be forced to dance with those men.”

  He held out his arm. “Follow me.”

  She smothered a giggle. Seeing the dark look on his face, she had no doubt that he was jealous. And that made her quite happy.

  “There are enough people on the terrace that your reputation will be safe,” he said.

  This time she did giggle. “My reputation? I didn’t know I even had one.”

  He gave a quelling look. “All women have a reputation. It’s best to keep it as sterling as possible.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  The slight breeze felt wonderful on her face. She took a seat on a bench overlooking the gardens. She had such an urge to take off her slippers and run in the dewy grass. That would not help her reputation.

  “Don’t even think about it,” he warned.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Walking in the grass barefoot.”

  She looked up at him with her mouth gaping. “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

  He reached out and skimmed the back of his hand down her jaw. “I do believe I know quite a bit about you, Miss White.”

  “As do I you.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  Far too quickly, they returned to the ballroom and the duchess insisted she dance with several other young men. Even as she danced with them, she wanted to be back in Colin’s arms. Jealousy streaked through her when she noticed him take a lady out on the dance floor. Was that how he’d felt when she danced with other men?

  She didn’t like the sensation at all. But she knew she couldn’t dance with him any more tonight. The duchess had warned her against accepting more than two dances with the same gentleman. Even two dances might be encouraging a suitor.

  And yet, she had danced twice with Colin.

  After her last dance, she returned to the refreshment table and picked up a glass of wine. Kate made her way through the crush toward her. She plucked a glass of rapidly warming lemonade and sipped it slowly.

  “This is awful,” Kate said, placing the glass back on the table.

  “The wine is much better.”

  “Mother has told me never to drink spirits at a ball. She’s afraid I will cause a scandal.”

  “I am far more likely to cause a scandal than you,” Selina replied with a laugh. “You at least understand all the inane rules of Society.”

  Kate dismissed her comment with a wave of her hand. “You will have no problem learning them too.”

  Selina slowly turned toward her friend. “Why would I need to? While this has been wonderful, this is my first and last ball.”

  “The gentlemen in the room can’t take their eyes off you. They will be paying calls on you as soon as they can. The house will be loaded with flowers and gifts for you.”

  She clutched Kate’s arm. “I do not want any of that. Is that why you brought me here? To gain a fashionable husband?”

  “Of course not,” Kate said with a laugh.

  “Then why?”

  “To make my brother jealous.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Kate shook her head and then sipped her lemonade again. “It is apparent to everyone that he is in love with you. Mother and I thought he should see that you are his equal. No one in the room has dismissed you or given you the cut direct.”

  Selina’s world was tilting. Did Colin love her? It was far too mad an idea to consider.

  Before she could think about it further, she caught sight of him walking toward them. “May I have this dance?”

  He was asking her a third time? The man had definitely lost his mind. “It’s not appropriate to dance with you again, Your Grace.”

  “Of course it is,” he said with a pointed look at his sister. “Kate, didn’t you tell her that the two dance rule was only for acquaintances? For family and dear friends, that rule is invalid.”

  Kate’s eyes widened as she considered his words. “That is true. I suppose Mother forgot to tell you th
at.”

  “Yes, she did forget to tell me.” She stared at Kate. “Are you certain it won’t cause talk?”

  “Of course not,” Kate replied.

  The strains of a waltz started. “A waltz! It is my favorite dance.” Selina clutched Colin’s arm. “Come along.”

  Once they reached the dance floor, the room started to buzz with excitement. Selina glanced around and noticed everyone talking. “What is going on?”

  “I believe they think there will be a betrothal announcement tonight.”

  “Oh, how wonderful,” she said as they twirled about. “I wonder who it might be.”

  He gave her a wicked smile. “Yours.”

  “My what?” Selina sputtered. How could they believe such a thing?

  “Your engagement.”

  She had shown no special interest to anyone . . . except Colin. “You lied to me, didn’t you?”

  “Oh? About what?”

  “This dance!”

  “Shh, you’re causing a scene.” His lips twitched as if he found this matter quite humorous.

  Humor was the last thing she thought of in regard to this mess. “Why?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? My stepmother and sister seemed to think we should marry. Hart believes something in me has changed. And the only person responsible for my abrupt change is you.”

  The room was spinning faster than they were. She closed her eyes to find some sense of normalcy. But he had changed her life just by taking a third turn on the dance floor. “I think I feel sick,” she mumbled.

  “Stay with me, Selina. The dance will be over soon and we can discuss this in private.”

  They danced closer to the terrace where a slight breeze moved the curtains.

  “Bloody hell.” Colin turned them so quickly she almost lost her footing.

  “What—” The rest of her sentence was cut off by the sound of a pistol firing.

  Then Colin went limp in her arms. “Oh my God!” she screamed as they fell to the floor. As her head hit the floor, her world went dark.

  Chapter 24

  Selina awoke in a strange bedchamber. The haze of the evening slowly washed away and she remembered what happened. She sat up quickly and then inhaled deeply as a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her.