She had a very strong feeling that Brookhaven knew exactly what her husband was about. The man seemed to be in league with him in every opportunity, but she said nothing.
And then Brookhaven arched a brow and looked down at her. “He’s told you. Hasn’t he?”
She did not reply. She merely stared back.
A pleased smile tilted his lips. It did not make him look friendly but more wild. “I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the one for him, you know.”
“Don’t be absurd,” she exclaimed. “We are not for each other at all. We are but friends.”
“So you say, so says he, but I say otherwise. And I am never wrong. I think you two are meant to be with each other.”
“Are you a soothsayer, then?” she asked.
He nodded and widened his eyes. “Oh yes. A prognosticator, most profound. I’ve looked into the future and seen you two together, happy…that is, if neither of you succumbs to fear.”
“That is not for me,” she stated plainly. “Romance always ends with sacrifice and suffering. Abelard and Heloise, Romeo and Juliet—”
“It does not always end poorly,” he cut in and tsked. “My goodness, you’ve been reading tragedies, not romances.”
She arched a brow. “Don’t you think that for ladies like me, romance only ends in tragedy?”
“Ladies like you?” he echoed.
“Look at me,” she said simply. “I am not made for romance, sir. I am made to endure wind and weather. And Chase made it clear when we married that it was not for romance.”
Brookhaven blew out a woeful sigh. “Fool the both of you, then. I think you’d be wonderful at romance. Now, let us cease this unpleasant discourse that neither of us can win at present.” He bowed with a flourish of his hand. “Would you do me the honor of this dance?”
“Oh dear,” she said, eyeing his hand as if it was serpent that might strike at any moment. “I am not one who cares for dancing.”
“Then we shall have to continue to stand here, and that will grow quite boring, for I do not like to stand still. If you cannot brave the floor, we could have a wander about the room.”
She frowned. “When you put it that way, I cannot let a mere dance defeat me.” She put her hand on his. “A dance, then.”
Brookhaven laughed again, a bold sound, doubtlessly pleased to have his way. And once again, the entire room swung with attention to her, seemingly astonished that she could cause two such beautiful, powerful men to be amused.
“Don’t be surprised if it’s an absolute debacle,” she whispered.
“Oh, nothing surprises me, Duchess,” he said jovially.
And somehow she believed it.
She allowed him to lead her onto the floor.
The orchestra played a jaunty, bouncing air, and before she knew what was happening, he was leading her about the room, lifting her up off the floor, whisking her into the air.
Her cheeks flushed with enjoyment.
What a marvelous dancer her husband’s friend was. Much to her amazement, dancing with him, she wasn’t quite so terrible herself.
The entire night seemed a success, and she adored it.
It turned out the ton could be quite a delight when one had a bit of power and a bit of self-assurance.
Yes, this wasn’t so horrendous after all, and she was rather glad that her sister had come to stay with her. They would conquer the ton together and with aplomb.
But that was when she heard it, someone quite close as they dashed by declared, “How could Chase bring himself to marry that one? She’s as plain as a cow’s ear.”
She stumbled against Brookhaven.