Page 65 of How to Tempt a Duke

“This time have a care not to miss your steps as you did when last we danced,” Devonington said under his breath to Eleanor.

“I beg your pardon?” she asked, distracted.

“Your dancing could use some improvement, and as you are dancing with me I want to ensure you perform perfectly.” He touched her shoulders. “Straighten your back more.”

The pressure of guilt in her chest lessened—especially as he’d nearly crippled her last time with his oafish steps. But if nothing else, the dance would help pass the time.

However, it was also a revelation in her understanding that she could never have gone through with a marriage to him. From the closeness of his overwarm body to the unending stories of his hunting dogs and having her feet crushed again and again, she knew she could never have a life with him. Not a happy one.

Finally the dance finished and he escorted her back to her mother while Eleanor searched the sea of faces. Without success.

No sooner had they arrived at her mother’s side than the Earl grinned down at Eleanor. Fine red veins crossed like embroidery thread over the tip of his bulbous nose. “I’d like to dance the next set with you as well, Lady Eleanor.”

Eleanor turned sharply to her mother, who simply nodded. Suddenly the air seemed too thin to breathe and all the blood in her body rushed to her head.

“But a second set would imply...” Eleanor’s mouth went dry.

Devonington smirked and wriggled his shoulders, very much like a cat about to pounce atop a poor unsuspecting mouse. Except that Eleanor did suspect.

He took her hand in his. “Lady Eleanor, I’d be honored if you would join me in the next set, and be by my side as the Countess of Devonington.”

“P-pardon me?” Eleanor stammered, though she’d heard him quite well enough.

“Don’t stammer—it sounds common.” Devonington’s eyes were hard when he spoke. “I want to marry you.”

Eleanor’s search around the room became frantic—a drowning victim seeking a rope. But Charles was not there. Why had he not shown? He should have been here to save her from having to reject Devonington. Had he changed his mind?

“You do not want to wed this woman.”

A masculine voice spoke up. While familiar, she knew at once the man was not Charles.

Eleanor turned in surprise and found Hugh standing before Devonington.

“Ledsey, what the devil are you going on about?” The Earl puffed up, seeming to draw the girth of his prominent belly into the expanse of his chest. “You had your chance at her. Leave her to your betters, boy.”

“This has nothing to do with me.” Hugh gave a smug grin. “And everything to do with the courtesan who has been training her each night.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Eleanor stared in horror at Hugh. Had he truly said aloud that she had been visiting a courtesan at night for training?

Her stomach sank as she remembered seeing him in the hackney by her house. Had it been him in the hired carriage near Lottie’s house as well? Eleanor had been so distraught when she’d left that night, so preoccupied with having been caught with Charles, she had not given the threat the attention it was due.

Now she would pay the price for her careless folly.

Devonington took a threatening step toward Hugh. “That is quite the accusation you make against the woman I intend to have as my wife.”

Hugh regarded her, his nose wrinkled with distaste. “I’m sure she’ll make for a wicked wife...based on the lessons she has been given.”

“This is a preposterous accusation,” the Countess said, her tone sharp.

“I assure you it is no accusation,” Lord Ledsey said with a smirk. “I saw her leave your town house wearing a blonde wig after you had departed for Almack’s. I followed her to Russell Square and waited while she was in the town house of a courtesan known as Lottie. I didn’t think it was Lady Eleanor at first, but then I questioned the servants and I got the whole story about how Lady Eleanor has been instructed by Lottie these last few weeks in ‘special lessons.’”

It had been him. Heavens!

Eleanor’s stomach swam with something vile and her mouth filled with water, as if she might be sick. To have her secrets bared thus was almost more than she could stand.

“Did you know?” Hugh tilted his head toward the Countess and tapped his chin in mock contemplation. “Or were you blissfully unaware of your daughter’s misdeeds.”