The Mistletoe Dare by Emma V Leech

Author:Emma V Leech [Leech, Emma V]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-23T16:00:00+00:00

Georgie watched Rochford and Evie walk out onto the floor and smiled. Evie was in high spirits this evening, though she seemed oblivious to the effect she had on people. Wherever she went, she left people laughing and in a far better mood than when she’d arrived. Even Rochford seemed to unravel under the warmth of that smile. Georgie hugged her arms about herself, pleased to see him enjoying himself. She wondered just how rare that was for him and hoped perhaps this evening would show him the world was not such an unfriendly place if he gave it a chance.

“My dance, I believe, Lady Georgina.”

Georgie turned to find herself face to face with the Comte de Villen. “Oh,” she said, immediately sent into a dither. “Oh, yes, it is. Of course.”

Georgie bit back a smile as she noticed the covetous looks on the faces of women around her, enjoying the moment. Unsurprisingly, the comte danced like a dream and Georgie relaxed, wondering at her good fortune in having danced with two such remarkable men, neither of whom made her feel like a family obligation.

“You have set tongues wagging, my lady,” he remarked, guiding her into an effortless turn.

“Have I?” she asked, daring to meet those extraordinary blue eyes.

“The Duke of Rochford never attends balls, is never seen in society, and he certainly never dances, yet this is the second event at which he has appeared, and he has danced with you at both.”

“He’s dancing with Evie now,” she pointed out, suddenly grateful for that fact.

The comte’s expression darkened. “So he is. He’s looking for a wife.”

“Who says so?” she demanded, startled.

He looked back at her. “I say so. It’s obvious.”

Georgie watched Evie and the duke, watched Evie say something and then laugh, throwing her head back. The duke’s lips twitched, and he smiled too. Something hot and unpleasant that felt horribly like jealousy squirmed in Georgie’s chest. Stop it, she scolded herself. Everyone loved Evie. He was not looking for a wife. Well, he might be, said a little voice in her head. Just because the idea of Georgie being his duchess made him furious, it didn’t mean he wasn’t looking for someone to do the job. Someone gentle and easy-going, who always smiled and never said hateful things to people.

Oh. Oh, no.

Georgie stepped on the comte’s toe.

“Oh, I beg your pardon,” she said, mortified.

“My fault,” he said easily, though his expression was tense.

He too was watching Evie and Rochford, Georgie realised. Well, Evie was his friend. No doubt he worried for her. Everyone knew Rochford for his difficult personality and for being an ill-tempered wretch. Though Georgie was certain much of this was not only untrue, but unfair, he hardly did anything to mitigate the situation.

The dance could not end quickly enough, and Georgie was grateful to discover the comte guiding her back towards Evie and Rochford.

“Good evening, your grace.” The comte smiled and bowed to Rochford politely, though there was something unmistakeably cool and brittle in his gaze.

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