The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman by Abby Ayles

Author:Abby Ayles [Ayles, Abby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-30T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Sir Dodge's dancing was as beautiful as his gestures and his words. He moved as gracefully as the women, yet was an expert with the men's steps and guided Antoinette with a strong hand. She found herself laughing with sheer delight at how wonderful it was to dance with him.

“You dance so beautifully,” she remarked. “Perhaps you ought to do it professionally. If there is such a thing as a professional ballroom dancer...”

“I do not need to be a professional anything,” Sir Dodge replied with a chuckle. “I have more than enough to keep me going.”

Antoinette nodded. “Most true, but surely there is much satisfaction that comes with growing one's wealth, and supporting one's family?”

Sir Dodge shrugged. “I suppose for some...But I prefer to look after my household, and my wealth grows more than enough to support me. And to support you also, do not worry,” he added with a smile.

“But what if I were to need new dresses, or wish to travel to France a few months to study French?” Antoinette asked.

“Then the money will be there for you,” Sir Dodge replied with a smile. “You can have all that you wish for when you are my wife.”

Antoinette nodded. “Let us not get too ahead of ourselves...”

Sir Dodge looked obviously irked by her refusal to let him call her his future wife, but that was not her biggest concern. From what he was saying, it was abundantly clear that he had no concern for the extended family. Not only that, but he had little or no work ethic. Were she to marry Sir Dodge, he would not be willing or able to help with her family's financial predicament. But he presented no objection to her suggestion she may wish to travel. And a man who would allow her such freedom as to live in France would surely allow her all the freedoms her rebellious heart desired. He had passed one test but failed another.

Catching Duke Godwin's eye across the room, Antoinette knew the time had come to swap partners and see if her second suitor could outdo her first. As the dance came to an end, she smiled, curtsied, and made her excuses. This matter of testing men was not as difficult as she had feared. In fact, they seemed quite open to revealing themselves when offered the chance. Sir Dodge had been almost as eager to reveal his true self as she had been to discover it.

As soon as she took Duke Godwin's hand, the mood among the unattached young men changed. Many had probably only come to catch her eye. Seeing that the Duke was interested in her once again must have dashed their hopes. After all, how could they compare with him?

He, however, was less assured of his position. “I see you are still seeing Sir Dodge,” he remarked.

“I am,” replied Antoinette as he guided her out into the floor. She wondered whether she ought to add anything else, but she opted against it. If it was a problem for him, then he should not have returned.

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