My Fair Duchess by Megan Frampton

Author:Megan Frampton
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Your Grace, might I have this dance?”

Genevieve smiled at Sir William, who was bending over her hand. “Certainly, sir. It would be my pleasure.”

He straightened and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. The assembly was very crowded, people who were obviously some of her tenants elbow to elbow with landed squires and other people who were clearly gentlefolk. It was very democratic, and Genevieve wished she had thought to bring along Clarkson, who would no doubt have enjoyed the mingling of the classes.

She stood out in the crowd, not just because of her gown, which likely cost more than some of these people made in a year, but also because of the deference shown to her no matter where she turned. When they arrived, the entire room stilled, all the heads swiveling toward them at the entrance to the room. She kept herself as distant as she possibly could, given that she just wanted to rush over to everyone in the room and assure them she was not at all the toplofty person one might assume, given her title.

But that would be the exact opposite of what she was supposed to do.

The music began, and Genevieve had to push aside all those concerns to focus on the dancing. She did her counting inside her head, relieved she had yet to step on his toes. She did not allow herself the luxury of glancing around to see if Archie was watching, and could assess her skill. Perhaps he was dancing with Miss Evelyn.

“This is,” Sir William began as they moved together in the dance, “quite pleasant.” He sounded surprised, and it immediately made Genevieve feel defensive. After all, it was more than pleasant, it was wonderful, but that could also be because this was the first such event she’d ever gone to.

Maybe this was only mediocre, and she had no way of knowing? But the people here all looked so happy, and the music was fine, and the room wasn’t over-stuffy. Really, what else did he require?

“Evelyn and I have so little experience with country events, you understand,” he said, as though hearing what she’d been thinking. “We have only been to a few dances in Lon—”

And then they parted, Genevieve continuing the steps of the dance without stepping on anybody else’s toes as well.

“—don,” he finished.

“This is my first such dance,” Genevieve said, hoping the words wouldn’t cause her to lose count.

“Truly? Why, then you and I have a lot in common,” Sir William replied, his easy grin making her dismiss the thought that he was being condescending.

“It seems we do,” she replied, making him smile even more broadly. He wasn’t as good-looking as Archie, but then again, he was far more eligible, should she even be thinking about that possibility. Which she should, given that everyone she would meet now that she was duchess would be thinking about it.

But she couldn’t keep herself from glancing over to where she spotted Archie. He was impossible

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