Duke of Arrogance by Aston Alexa

Author:Aston, Alexa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Jon tapped his foot as Elizabeth sailed down the stairs.

“I thought you would never be ready,” he complained, taking her arm and escorting her to the waiting carriage.

“You don’t have to be so grumpy,” she admonished. “Besides, I am actually ready early tonight. Whenever have you been worried about arriving at a ball on time?”

Her grin, though, told him she knew exactly why he was out of sorts.

He had blundered badly this afternoon with Arabella. He knew he could act in a high-handed manner and it had come back to haunt him with his remark regarding whom Arabella could speak with. She was right. He had no hold on her.

Yet.

Perhaps he should go ahead and declare his intentions and see that no one else tried to claim her. That wouldn’t be fair to her, though. She was new at all of the social swirl. Her confidence had been badly damaged with the way she had been treated on the opening night of the Season. She needed to have time to recover it and enjoy herself. He would keep a careful watch upon her and if he saw any gentlemen becoming too close, he would step in and see that the man made himself scarce. After all, he was a duke. No lower-ranking gentleman would dare cross him if he made known that he’d set his sights upon Arabella.

They arrived at the ball and he left Elizabeth at the receiving line, too impatient to wait through it in case Arabella was already inside the ballroom. He was glad he skipped it because she was, talking to two gentlemen. Quickly, Jon strode over. His presence alone caused the other two suitors to give her a quick goodbye.

“You needn’t have frightened them away, Your Grace. I have already written your name beside the supper dance.”

“Can I help it if they are intimidated by me?”

She batted her lashes coyly at him. “Well, you are a duke. They would be regardless of the circumstances.”

“Are you still angry with me?” he asked bluntly.

She considered his question, leaving him nervous. “I was put out with you. You can be overbearing at times.”

“I know. I will work on that. For you.”

Her cheeks filled with color. He wanted to kiss her, here and now, but it would lead to a scandal so great they would have to wed by special license by week’s end if he did so. Instead, he took her hand and raised it to his lips.

“I will see you later this evening, my lady,” he said and took his leave.

Jon didn’t bother asking for dances with any other women. The ton would notice, of course. Let them. He passed Lady Walton and nodded courteously. She glared at him and turned away. He wasn’t in favor of making enemies and Lady Walton was not one to have, with her vicious tongue and love of spreading gossip. He saw no way of making any kind of amends between them, other than going to her bed, and that wasn’t something he was willing to do.

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