Daring to Love the Duke's Heir

by Janice Preston

  He’d almost forgotten she was a virtual stranger as he relaxed among his family and fell to bickering with Olivia, as they had in the old days before she had wed. But he had not forgotten Liberty’s presence. He was viscerally aware of her the entire time, sensitive to the slightest change in her expression and the strange sensations she conjured within him. He could not shake the feeling—no, the certainty—that, somehow, he knew her, understood her, could feel her deepest emotions. And he felt...happy. Content.

  Until those girls had surrounded them, isolating Liberty as effectively as a well trained sheepdog would cut a single sheep from a flock. Dominic had felt the cloak of his public image fall into place as he became the Marquess of Avon and unaccustomed resentment at those girls had bubbled under his skin when he saw Liberty hesitate, then turn to walk away. Before he could consider the consequences, he was asking her to dance, when nothing had been further from his thoughts or intention. But the pleasure that radiated throughout his body as she placed her hand in his banished his doubts as to the wisdom of his action. Why should he not dance with his sister’s friend? Nobody else could see how Liberty Lovejoy fascinated him. As far as anyone else was concerned, it was no different to him standing up with Jane.

  But the minute the dance began, those insidious doubts wormed their way once again into his thoughts, fuelled by those memories of his mother, who had been more and more on his mind since his decision that this would be the Season he chose his bride.

  Make me proud, my Son. Society will watch your every move. Never disgrace your position as heir.

  His attempts to quash his mother’s voice were not helped by the fact that the innocuous remarks he addressed to his partner were roundly ignored. Liberty appeared more interested in her sisters than in her own partner and he questioned again why he hadn’t just left her to Alex’s tender mercies. As the steps brought them together again, his irritation got the better of him.

  ‘Well? Have you a reason for ignoring me?’

  Even as the words left his mouth he regretted them. It was hardly Liberty’s fault he found her so maddeningly irresistible.

  Her eyes flashed and her lips thinned. ‘I was debating which of those charming young misses were on that list of yours, Lord Avon.’

  They parted company, then the steps brought them together again, but before Dominic could speak, Liberty continued, ‘I am certain any one of them would make the perfect Marchioness—as long as they possess the requisite bloodlines, of course.’

  Her words stung and he retaliated instinctively. ‘None of them, for your information. My future wife will not be a female who makes her intentions so very obvious. Discretion and poise—they are the attributes I seek.’

  He cringed inside at how very pompous he sounded, but the words were out there and he was damned if he’d humble himself by retracting them.

  ‘As well as calmness and elegance, if my recollection is correct.’ Hectic flags of colour painted her cheeks. ‘And now discretion to add to your list of requirements.’

  ‘Do not forget poise, Miss Lovejoy.’

  ‘I have not forgotten it, sir, but I am well aware that elegance and poise are one and the same. Did you think me uneducated as well as ill-bred?’

  The words hissed out at him from under her breath. The movement of the dance parted them again and he cautioned himself not to further fuel the flame of her temper with any attempt to defend his position. Liberty—as he might have guessed—had no such compunction. She continued as soon as they were close enough for him to hear her. He supposed he should be grateful she waited until none of the neighbouring couples would be able to overhear her tirade.

  ‘I am sorry to disappoint you—although I make no doubt that well-educated is not an essential quality for your ideal wife. I also happen to have an excellent memory. Not this time for the attributes necessary for the perfect Marchioness, but for the undesirable traits.’

  Again they moved apart and again they came back together.

  ‘Now...let me see...it was most definitely no vigour or passion. I can see, however, that none of those insipid young misses would disappoint you in that regard!’

  He clamped his jaw tight as the movement of the dance parted them again. What the hell was he doing dancing with Liberty Lovejoy and allowing her to provoke him? All five of the ladies on his original list, together with their families, were present tonight. He would dance with them all, even though Caroline was currently his first choice. That would keep the gossips busy and it would be a far better use of his time.

  He and Liberty circled one another, with no opportunity for speech before they parted company yet again. A glance across the ballroom brought Lady Caroline into his line of sight. She was elegant and cool as she performed the steps, smiling serenely as she responded to her partner’s comments. He switched his gaze to Liberty—her eyes bright with accusation, her skin flushed, her lips parted and plump, her breasts...glorious. His loins tightened. He could not even summon any anger towards her because every word she had said was true. But it didn’t change the fact that his bride must be the perfect lady, despite the yearning of every fibre of his being for a woman who was palpably not the perfect lady.

  Never had he felt so very enticed by any female at a society event. Or by any female anywhere.

  He found himself executing a figure of eight with Olivia.

  ‘Are you and Miss Lovejoy quarrelling, Dominic?’

  Caution whispered through him. If Olivia had noticed, others might, too.

  ‘Don’t be absurd!’

  Olivia smiled impishly as she circled around him and rejoined Hugo. Dominic and Liberty came together again and this time, before she could speak, Dominic squeezed her hand.

  ‘I apologise unreservedly. Tell me how I might make amends.’

  It stole the next wave of invective from her tongue, but the gleam in her eyes warned him that she would take full advantage of his peace offering.

  ‘Will you dance with my sisters, my lord? Please?’

  ‘Your sisters?’

  Her worry was plain as she sought her sisters among the dancers before directing her gold-flecked midnight-blue gaze back to him.

  ‘Surely that would help us to be more fully accepted?’

  He could not bring himself to refuse such a simple, direct request. ‘Very well. I shall dance with each of them tonight. But please do not ask me to make a habit of it.’

  Her grateful smile caressed him and he cursed the fact that his list was common knowledge. If it were not, he might have delayed finding a wife until next year. But he could not, with honour, back away now speculation over his choice was rife. Or, rather, he would not back away. It was one of the standards he set himself as a gentleman—to be true to his word. He knew there could never be more than friendship between him and Liberty, but he might have been better able to relax and enjoy that friendship had the eyes of the ton not been watching his every move for a hint as to his intentions.

  ‘I am relieved they have achieved some success,’ Liberty continued, ‘but I cannot help worrying.’ She frowned and bit into her plump lower lip, sending sparks sizzling through him. ‘I know we are not fully accepted everywhere and I’m afraid that can only get worse if Gideon continues in his reckless ways. If only he would come to his senses...he still won’t listen to me.’

  ‘But he is here tonight and behaving impeccably. He looks in a fair way to being smitten with Twyford’s eldest girl. That must surely please you?’

  She released her lip and smiled again, her eyes crinkling—a smile that was balm to his soul. He kept his expression impassive, again conscious of too many eyes watching.

  ‘Yes, it does. Anyone would be preferable to that actress—I pray he has given her up entirely! And thank you for agreeing to partner Hope and Verity after having danced with me. It is very kind of you.’

  ‘It will help some peo
ple to accept you more readily, as will your friendship with Olivia if that continues.’

  The dance ended and Liberty took Dominic’s proffered arm as they left the floor.

  ‘As I said at the outset, your brother is simply finding his feet in town. I’ve talked to Alex and I’ve kept an eye on the pair of them—I have seen nothing for you to worry about.’

  Liberty smiled with such trust in her eyes that his heart clenched. How could she affect him so, with just one look? Again, he blanked his expression, delivering her back to Mrs Mount with a wash of relief. Resolutely, he walked away. He would approach her sisters later, after dancing with other partners...partners whose name was not Lovejoy. And, as he had already put Caroline Warnock to the head of the queue, where better than to start with her?

  ‘Good evening, Lord Avon.’ Lady Caroline dipped a graceful curtsy.

  ‘Good evening, my lady.’ Dominic bowed. ‘May I say how very charming you look this evening?’

  ‘You are too kind, my lord.’ Caroline raised her fan and fluttered it, her dark brown gaze clinging to Dominic’s face.

  ‘Dare I hope you have a dance available this evening, Lady Caroline?’

  ‘I do, my lord. It is the supper dance, if that is acceptable?’

  Dominic was aware of Lady Druffield watching them from her nearby chair with a gleam of satisfaction. Lady Georgiana’s mother sat with the Marchioness and was also watching Dominic and Caroline, her expression revealing no hint of her feelings, yet Dominic knew she would be loathing every second of her rival’s triumph.

  ‘That is most acceptable,’ he said to Caroline. ‘Now, if you will excuse me...?’

  He did not wait for her response, but headed straight for Lady Amelia and Lady Sarah and secured their hands for dances. Then he scanned the room for Lady Georgiana. His gaze collided with that of Liberty, accusation burning in her eyes. Her thoughts were as plain as if she had shouted them across the ballroom—You promised to dance with Hope and Verity. Although such transparency of feelings was frowned upon by most members of the ton, Dominic was charmed and entertained by them. And by her. As long as he took care not to single her out—or to annoy her while we are dancing! I’ve learned my lesson there!—he could still amuse himself by teasing her.

  He cocked his brow and had the satisfaction of seeing that blatant accusation darken into a glower. He would approach her sisters in his own good time—he would not march to Liberty Lovejoy’s command. He caught sight of Lady Georgiana and made his way across the room to discover she was free for the next dance. He led her on to the floor, only to find they were next to Liberty and her current partner, Stephen Damerel, damn his eyes. The man was older than Dominic and the second son of Lord Rushock. He was a decent enough man, but he was a scholar and far too staid for a lively woman such as Liberty.

  ‘My lord? My lord!’

  Georgiana’s petulant tone grabbed his attention. He pushed Liberty and Damerel from his thoughts to concentrate on his own partner, but the dance seemed never ending and, despite his best intentions, he found his gaze straying to Liberty on several occasions. By the time he’d seen her smiling at Damerel in that open, guileless way of hers he was ready to punch something. Or someone. But through it all, he chatted with Georgiana and, at the end of the dance, he felt sure she would have no cause to label him as an inattentive partner.

  One ticked off. Three more to go. Plus Hope and Verity, of course.

  He didn’t dare to question himself as to why he was keen to get his duty dances out of the way. He just knew he was. He had no partner for the next and, spying Hope close to where Mrs Mount sat, he grabbed a glass of champagne from a footman carrying a tray, drained it in one and headed in their direction. He arrived at the same moment as Liberty, her hand on Damerel’s arm. Dominic nodded at the other man, who returned his nod, bowed to the ladies and then sauntered away.

  Dominic turned to Hope. ‘Would you care to dance, Miss Lovejoy? If your card is not already full?’

  She glanced at Liberty before replying, ‘Thank you, my lord. I am engaged for the next two, but the first after supper is free.’

  ‘Perfect. And I believe the one after that is a waltz, so...’ He captured Liberty’s gaze. ‘Would you do me the honour of waltzing with me, Miss Lovejoy?’

  Her brow creased, puzzlement in her eyes. If she could have asked him what he was about—which she could not with Mrs Mount and Hope in earshot—he would not be able to tell her because he had no idea himself. What the devil had prompted him to ask her to waltz, of all things? He must enjoy being tortured. And, quite apart from that, he must now make very sure to engage his other partners for a second dance—ever since he had first been on the town he had made a point of never dancing more than once with any lady at a ball. He suppressed a sigh. How did this one woman manage to provoke him into such uncharacteristic behaviour? And why did he have to meet her this Season of all Seasons? He couldn’t stop thinking about her, but it would not, could not, change the future he had mapped out.

  Liberty parted her lips to reply but, before she could speak, Alex joined them, slapping Dominic on the shoulder as Hope’s next partner arrived and led her on to the floor.

  ‘Just the people I need to speak to,’ said Alex. ‘And both in the same place as well. Am I not the fortunate one?’

  Liberty’s eyebrows flicked high.

  ‘Miss Liberty Lovejoy.’ Alex bowed. ‘Would you kindly do me the honour of saving the supper dance for me?’

  A silent growl vibrated in Dominic’s throat, not helped by the impish smile Alex directed at him.

  ‘Why. Yes. Thank you. Both of you.’ Liberty looked from one of them to the other, clearly as confused as Dominic. ‘You are most kind.’

  ‘Oh, think nothing of it,’ said Alex airily. ‘Livvy wanted me to ask you, so we can eat supper with her and Hugo.’

  ‘Oh. Well...will Jane not expect—?’

  She fell silent as Alex laughed. ‘Lord, no. We’re just friends and, besides, her stepmother has promised the supper dance to Pikeford on her behalf.’ He grinned at Dominic. ‘It makes you thankful we didn’t end up with her as our stepmother, don’t it? Thank the Lord we’ve got Rosalind. So, Dom...who’ve you bagged for supper? Livvy said I was to ask you to join us, too, but—just a hint, you understand, Brother—when Olivia said ask she meant tell.’

  Dominic closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head as he suppressed a smile. Life had been dull the past few years without Alex and Olivia and their irrepressible antics to brighten his life.

  ‘I think I might legitimately dodge that particular invitation. I’m promised to Lady Caroline and I should imagine she will wish to remain with her particular friends.’

  ‘On your head be it, Brother. Only Olivia did say, most particularly, that she wanted us all together for supper because, believe it or not, she has missed us.’

  ‘Oh, very well. I’ll see what I can do.’

  ‘Good man! I’ll leave you two in peace.’

  With a wink, Alex wandered away. Dominic had already spent too much time with Liberty that evening but, somehow, he could not tear himself away. Not yet.

  ‘Do you not have a partner for this dance, my lord?’

  ‘No. I do not care to dance every dance. What about you?’

  ‘Alas, no gentleman requested my hand for this dance.’ Her full lips pursed slightly, then twitched into a half-smile. ‘But I am engaged for a waltz after supper and I am looking forward to that exceedingly.’

  ‘In order that you may tear me off another couple of strips?’

  ‘Avon! That is most ungentlemanly of you.’ Her eyes sparkled, drawing him in, and it was with an effort he tore his gaze from hers, blanked his expression and cast a bored look over the dancers. ‘You did admit I was sorely provoked.’

  He couldn’t resist another sideways glance at her, a glance that revealed twinkling
eyes above pouting lips that drew his gaze like a magnet. Good grief. They were in a crowded ballroom and all he could think about was sweeping her into his arms and kissing her. His hand rubbed at the back of his neck as his inner voice of caution screamed at him to walk away. But still he lingered.

  The trouble was...his interest in her wasn’t confined to lust. He just enjoyed being with her, even when they were bickering. Especially when they were bickering, in fact, because she treated him like an ordinary man. Every other female—apart from his family—treated him as ‘the heir’. And damned if he wasn’t complicit in that...he had occupied that public position for so much of his life it had become second nature.

  ‘As I recall,’ he adopted a light, teasing tone, ‘I offered you an apology without admitting fault. It is called being gallant.’

  ‘Very well.’ She sighed dramatically. ‘If you are intent on making me shoulder the blame, there is nothing more I can say. But I must tell you how grateful I am that you kept your promise and are engaged to stand up with Hope.’

  He read the question in her expression.

  ‘I have not asked Verity yet, but I shall. Which reminds me—I saw her dancing with Bridlington earlier. You may not be aware, but he has a somewhat disreputable reputation—an unsuitable partner for any young innocent.’

  She changed instantly from a teasing, flirting girl into a serious woman. ‘Thank you for the warning. I confess I thought him rather old for her and I have noticed he seeks her out between dances, too. I shall speak to Mrs Mount.’

  ‘Would you like me to have a word with him?’