One Kiss From You by Christina Dodd

Author:Christina Dodd [Dodd, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, pdf
Tags: Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780060092665
Google: f2bJ0L0okMYC
Amazon: 0060092661
Barnesnoble: 0060092661
Goodreads: 490422
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2003-10-27T11:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

As Eleanor absorbed Mr. Knight’s announcement, the crowd, the ballroom and all its lights faded. She thought she was going to faint right here on the stage, but strangely, she could still hear his voice clearly proclaiming, “With the blessing of God on our union, we will live among you for the rest of our days.”

That didn’t sound like a promise to Eleanor; it sounded like a threat. Everything about Mr. Knight’s face and figure looked like a threat. He was going to force the ton to accept him on his own terms, and she was the instrument of his determination.

“Breathe,” he commanded softly.

She took a gasping breath and realized she’d been holding her breath.

“Smile,” he said.

She did smile, a tremulous smile, and from the answering beams around her, everyone found her apprehension completely normal and the whole affair so romantic. Apparently, few cared that the betrothal had come about through a despicable card game. With his pale blond hair shining like a halo, her fallen angel had mesmerized the whole of the ton.

He offered his hand to help her descend the stairs.

Well, not the whole of the ton. Lady Shapster stood twirling her full champagne glass, watching Eleanor as if trying to decide how best to expose the truth. Her malevolence made Eleanor shiver, yet it was Mr. Knight who occupied Eleanor’s mind. Anything Lady Shapster could do paled in comparison to Mr. Knight and his schemes.

As soon as her feet touched the dance floor, the orchestra struck up a minuet. Other couples rapidly joined them. The proceedings had been coordinated by Mr. Knight to achieve maximum impact, and on the surface, everything looked like every maiden’s fantasy.

But Eleanor was still reeling from his coup d’etat. She couldn’t marry him in two days. She had to tell him so. But although he danced with inexpressible grace, always less than three feet away, he might as well be on the moon. He wore a mask, one comprised of a charming smile and opaque eyes that hid the secrets of his soul. The softening she had thought he’d had toward her was a chimera. The common sentiments she had imagined between them did not exist. The blue-eyed devil had forced a ring on her and now threatened her with immediate marriage.

And why? Eleanor didn’t understand why he wished to marry the future duchess of Magnus. He said it was because he wanted her fortune and her status, but Eleanor didn’t believe him. There was something more, something lurking beneath the surface of his smile, some deeper plan that frightened her in its enmity.

The dance ended. The gentlemen closed in on Mr. Knight, slapping him on the back and congratulating him.

Eleanor backed away, wanting desperately to flee, but escape was impossible.

Horatia caught up with her first. “You sly puss. You never gave us a hint of your imminent wedding!”

“I didn’t, did I?” Eleanor hadn’t been cagey, she had been ignorant.

Lady Picard hurried forward with all the bustle of a confirmed and exalted gossip.

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