Never A Duke (Dukes' Club Book 11) by Eva Devon

Author:Eva Devon [Devon, Eva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Bard Productions
Published: 2019-12-24T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Calliope Duke longed to enjoy herself, but found she could not.

It was the most upsetting thing, for the company was charming.

Everyone was kind.

Everyone wished her to have a marvelous time, and she was certain she was convincing everyone that she was absolutely enjoying herself.

In the evening, she danced every dance when the Axminster carpet was rolled back and when Aston played the piano.

She played every game of cards she was offered. She chattered away happily, discussed all the latest novels, and drank brandy and champagne with the best of them.

It was a merry time had by all, and she quite enjoyed the many walks out into the countryside.

But she couldn’t help feeling like a child who was about to have a toy snatched from her. She knew that feeling. It had always been on the edge of her enjoyment her entire life. She hated to admit it, but it was the truth.

Ever since that day when her father had walked out of her mother’s room, gave her one look, and said, “Goodbye, girl,” and then not come back, she’d known.

She’d known that nothing was permanent and that joy did not last. And so, near this family who loved each other so well, it was very difficult to allow herself to give in to the pleasure of the moment.

She usually prided herself on her ability to seize the moment, but the truth was she’d never enjoyed herself so thoroughly as with her brothers and their new extended family.

She liked them all so well.

This wasn’t like her usual experiences where half of her was enjoying irritating everyone or showing herself off.

No, this was different because she knew that they liked her for herself, and she liked them too. Oh God, how difficult to just simply be free. But that was the truth. Freedom was no easy thing.

So, as she walked across the dance floor, the Marquis of Rutherford behind her, powerfully keeping pace, she thought surely it would be pleasant to lose herself in this moment, to dance with an absolutely beautiful and capable man, and then to give in to him.

For surely, that’s what she’d come here for: for a lovely amour.

And she knew that Lady Hyacinth, the Dowager Duchess of Hunt, wished her to have a good time, but she was also watching Lady Hyacinth watch them.

Deep down, Calliope knew, somewhere, that Lady Hyacinth was hoping Calliope would not be attracted to Rutherford.

But such a thing hardly seemed possible.

The Marquis of Rutherford was a beautiful man, absolutely stunning. He had a delicious turn of phrase and knew how to flatter without sounding foolish.

But the truth was she had no desire to bed him.

As Rutherford took her hand in his strong one and began to lead her about in a waltz, she thought to herself that he was too perfect.

Such perfection couldn’t be worn every day.

No, it might be put upon for a few days or a few weeks, and she’d enjoy it very much. But such lordly perfection was the sort of stuff that grew wearing in the end.

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