Chapter 5
Asher knew he was holding himself as tight as a bowstring, but this was the last situation he had expected to find himself in.
He heard Lady Evelyn’s breath catch when he placed his hand on her waist, grasping her other in his. He tried to ignore how much he wanted to draw that hip in toward him, to play his fingers over her body.
But of course, that was the last thing he would do with half the ton currently watching them, breath held so that they could have more to talk about.
Both of them having been raised to attend events such as this, their steps fell into rhythm, and, eventually, when other dancers began to join them, they met one another’s gaze now and then, although Lady Evelyn’s eyes always quickly flitted away, the air becoming even tenser between them the longer they danced.
Asher was overly aware of her. Her every moment, her steps, the way she smelled, like lilacs in the summer sunshine.
This was dangerous.
And yet… it felt so natural.
Without thinking, he brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, and even through her gloves, she started, finally clearing her throat as she looked up at him.
“This seems rather… opportunistic.”
“For whom?”
“For Lady Norwood, since it would appear as she orchestrated the whole thing.”
“Adeptly, too.”
“She’s harmless, though,” Evelyn said. “At least, in this situation. She only wants to initiate a greater scandal. It’s very convenient if it happens at her own party.”
“She looks rather foxlike, watching us at the moment,” Asher murmured, glancing over at her. Lady Norwood’s smile appeared frozen to her face, her gaze sharp with satisfaction that this was not just mischief, but done by design.
“One would think she wouldn’t want to make an enemy of a duke.”
“One would think,” he agreed. “But it seems there are some women who are not intimidated by such a title.”
She shot a look at him, as his reference was clearly aimed toward her.
“Do you enjoy intimidating women, your grace?”
One side of his lips dipped up into a smile, revealing that hint of a dimple once more.
“I cannot say that I go out of my way to do so, but if it happens, then so be it.”
“I suppose some women find that attractive.”
“You are a rather forthright young woman, Lady Evelyn,” he said, and while his words might have sounded judgmental, his tone was rather… admiring.
“I will take that as a compliment,” she said primly.
He shook his head, but there was still that glint in his eye that told her he was enjoying their exchange — as was she, surprisingly so.
“Is everyone still watching?” she asked after a moment in a hushed voice, for she couldn’t see very well over his shoulder as he stood a full head above her.
“There are quite a few curious stares, yes,” he said. “Does that still trouble you?”
“My father is already rather ostracized from others of his station due to his interests,” she said.
“He finds solace in his societies, but if he is to be turned away from those…” Her voice trailed off before she shook herself.
“I am here to show everyone that I have nothing to hide, and that is what I will continue to do.”
“That is a very optimistic outlook, Lady Evelyn.”
As the dance came to a close, he bowed over her hand, and she curtsied in turn.
The moment he thanked her, she stayed for as long as was politely necessary.
But as soon as she was free, she fled.
Thankfully, there wasn’t much of a line for the ladies’ retiring room, for Evelyn needed a moment to compose herself.
Her hands were practically shaking as she washed them in the basin, staring at herself in the mirror.
Why had the Duke of Ravenscar occupied so many of her thoughts as of late?
She had told herself he meant nothing to her, and yet the moment she had seen him, she had practically been transfixed.
Even her pulse picked up its pace when he came into her vision, and when he touched her, why, it was racing so hard she was fearful for her health.
She had never before had such feelings for a man, and yet, she had also never spent so much time in close proximity with one so… handsome. Virile. Charming, in his own way.
She shook her hands out, trying to calm her nerves and grasp hold of herself.
He was just a man, despite his title.
If there was one thing her father had taught her that led to her holding a different outlook than many others of her station, it was that each person had their own identity, one to shape as they wished.
She finally stepped out of the ladies’ room, into the corridor, turning the corner to return to the ballroom in hopes that she could soon leave, when she nearly ran into the very man she was trying to get out of her head.
“Your grace,” she said, surprised to find him here.
“Lady Evelyn,” he said in that rich voice that vibrated deep within her own chest. “I was hoping we could take a moment to converse, as it is unlikely that we will have another opportunity.”
“I’d be happy to,” she allowed.
“Not here, for there are prying ears,” he said.
“We best not enter one of these private rooms, for I have a feeling Lady Norwood uses them as traps for her own entertainment.”
“Why, I thought the very same,” he said, and they shared a small smile of humor. “Perhaps a walk through the garden paths? We should be able to hide, and it is unseasonably warm this evening.”
“Very well,” she agreed, following him out through the French doors onto the garden path beyond. Evelyn took a breath as that racing pulse returned.
He was just a man, she reminded herself, but that turned into another thought. He was a man, she was a woman, and neither one of them was spoken for.
But that was the very idea she needed to forget about.
And to forget about it now.
Asher walked beside Evelyn companionably, seemingly in silent agreement that they shouldn’t mention any important matters until they were alone.
He had wanted to speak to her again, but the truth was, he also sought out her company. While he had previously tried his best to stay away from her in fear that it would only cause others to ask further questions about them, after that dance, he couldn’t help but want more.
For she made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time — like himself.
She didn’t speak to him like he was a duke, didn’t try to curry favor or seek a marriage proposal like everyone else around him.
He liked it — perhaps too much.
“If you are wondering what I have learned, unfortunately, the answer is absolutely nothing, except that gossip swirls amongst the ton worse than I ever thought was possible,” she finally said with a sigh.
“Agreed,” he said grimly. “I heard a few people say the stirrings about either of us being near the diamond or with one another originated from someone connected to Lady Norwood, but everyone is connected to Lady Norwood, so that does not tell us much.”
“No, it certainly does not,” she said, stopping and looking up at him, and he wondered if that was starlight he saw dancing in her eyes. His gaze caught on something in her hair near her temple, and he leaned forward, lifting a hand toward her.
She nearly flinched at the gesture, but he murmured, “Hold still,” before plucking a tiny scrap of thread from her hair, his fingers just brushing over her skin, which was as soft as he had imagined it to be, her hair smooth and silky.
They were so close he could feel the puff of her breath on his cheek, and for a moment, he wondered what it would be like to lean down and take her lips. His hand hesitated as he moved it downward, hovering just over her jaw.
Asher’s pulse hammered as he wondered if it would hurt anything to explore whatever was happening between them.
He enjoyed her company. She was a respectable woman of the ton, and yet…
he didn’t want marriage to be thrust on him, and right now, it seemed that someone was trying to orchestrate this connection between them.
At this moment, he had no idea if Lady Evelyn herself was part of it.
So, with tightly controlled restraint, disappointing himself more than anyone, he decided he needed to step back. Put more space between them.
But before he could act on that thought, an “Oh my!” rent through the night air, and he cringed.
He didn’t move. There was no point.
Lady Evelyn, however, jumped back as though she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, and finally Asher realized he had no other choice.
He turned around to face his fate.
Lady Norwood was standing there, a smug smirk on her face.
She tsked. “Here I thought the rumors were exaggerated.”
Apparently, Lady Norwood could find them no matter where they tried to hide on the grounds of her home.
Lady Evelyn groaned slightly behind him, and Asher stepped forward, his arms crossed stiffly as he did all in his power to protect her.
But it was too late.
Lady Norwood was still smiling.
Victorious.
While the implication hung in the air.
They were here in the garden, alone together, with no one about, Asher’s hands on Evelyn’s face.
But all he could wonder was if Lady Norwood was orchestrating this scandal. Did she want them compromised for more reasons than her own ability to spread the rumor from her own party? Was there more at play here?
“Lady Norwood,” Lady Evelyn attempted, stepping forward as Asher just stood there, practically growling. “The duke and I were discussing the rumors surrounding us. That is all.”
“That looked like more than a discussion, did it not, ladies?” she said, glancing over her shoulder, only for two other ladies, whom Asher assumed were her friends, to step out beside her.
“Agreed,” said one lady, while the other only nodded.
Sheep, apparently.
When Evelyn turned her head his way, their gazes caught and held in understanding.
Their fates may no longer be entirely in their own hands, but in those of Lady Norwood, her friends, and whoever was behind this entire scheme.
As Lady Norwood walked away, her laughter ringing out through the night, Asher murmured, “Either she wishes to see us ruined, or she wishes to see us wed.”
Evelyn gasped as though the thought had not occurred to her, but unfortunately, Asher was more than well acquainted with just what it meant to be caught in such a compromising position, for he had been doing his utmost to avoid it until now.
“I cannot decide which would be worse,” she said.
Asher started, insulted by the insinuation, although he couldn’t help but mutter, “I fear we are about to find out.”