“Perhaps I should have tried that,” she said hotly
Daniel’s eyes narrowed, but he spoke smoothly. “Had you done that, you would have no doubt earned the undying gratitude of every married woman here on the morrow.”
Lily regarded him, confused by the comment.
“Secondly, you are the future Duchess of Lybrook. You make your own style. Within a fortnight, every woman here will be shamelessly imitating you.”
“Oh, Lord…”
“So you see, your attempt to humiliate me and yourself has failed miserably. However, you have succeeded in convincing every man here that I am the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth.”
“Daniel…”
“There isn’t another woman here, not even your mother or your sister, who comes close to your beauty tonight. You were made for vivid colors. You were made to shock people. You were made for that gown, Lily. It works for you.” He laughed softly, his breath caressing her cheek. “You will fill my life with surprises. Every day I shall wonder what you will do next. It will be a joy to be your husband. You haven’t succeeded in driving me away.”
“Will I ever drive you away?”
“I’m afraid not.”
He twirled her in dance steps unfamiliar to her, but due to his superior skill she followed effortlessly, the momentum pushing her closer against his body, her skin tingling from his heat.
“You want to shock people?” He winked at her. “I’ll show you how to shock people.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.
“Daniel!” she gasped.
He winked again. “You bring out the beast in me, Lily.”
“Oh my.”
When the waltz ended Daniel led her to the refreshment table. “You probably don’t care for any champagne,” he said.
“Punch will be fine, thank you.”
Soon men were gathered around them, begging Lily for the honor of a dance.
“You can’t keep her to yourself all night, Lybrook,” Polk said, leading Lily to the floor.
She danced with Polk, her brother, Ally’s Mr. Landon, Lord Evan, her father, one of Daniel’s solicitors, his personal physician, and what seemed like a hundred other young men with whom she wasn’t acquainted. Daniel also claimed her three more times. When her feet and legs could no longer bear the strain, she stole out to the terrace for some fresh air and found a private dark corner in which to regain her composure.
“That was quite a little exhibition you put on in there,” a voice said from behind her.
She turned to face Lady Amelia Gregory.
“And may I say, that dress is quite…becoming.”
“Oh, Amanda,” Lily said, “how lovely to see you.”
“It’s Amelia, you fool, but you know that don’t you? Perhaps I should call you Lila?”
“Call me whatever you wish for now, but by the end of the house party, you’ll be addressing me as Your Grace.” Lily couldn’t help smirking.
“I suppose so. Quite a coup d’etat for someone who wasn’t the least bit interested in the duke a mere few days ago.”
“I wasn’t then.”
“Of course you weren’t. And I’m not the least bit interested in your brother. He’s fascinating, by the way.”
“Your threats won’t work with me. My brother would never lower himself to get involved with you.”