The Secrets of Mia Danvers by Robyn DeHart

Author:Robyn DeHart
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Alex stood in the ballroom, drink in hand.

“If you keep scowling in such a manner, you’ll have your selection of beauties,” Edward said. “Woman cannot resist a brooding duke. Not to mention you’re beginning to look like the other Carrington brother.”

“Go to the devil, Fairbanks.” Alex downed his drink and dropped the glass onto a footman’s tray as he walked by.

“What has you in such a foul mood this evening?” Edward asked.

Alex exhaled slowly, annoyed his friend had noticed. Frankly, he hadn’t started the evening feeling this way. His confrontation with his mother had only reinforced his belief that he was doing the right thing where Mia was concerned. He’d known it was wrong to propose to Mia, but he wanted her. The desire he felt for her was tormenting him. But she had declined and now he had to accept it was time to formalize the arrangements with Juliet. His desire for Mia need not interfere with that.

He’d left Mia in the capable hands of two footmen who were guarding her every move. Still he longed to be there instead, making certain she was safe. But he had his social responsibilities to attend to this evening, and as soon as he’d arrived, he had marked his name down twice on Juliet’s dance card, and once on a handful of other women’s. Then he’d stood at the edge of the ballroom and watched the display before him. Both of Mia’s sisters were here and the only pleasure he’d had was seeing them both cringe when he’d walked in. Their concerned eyes followed him. They were worried he would make a scene, call them out here in front of everyone in Society. He considered it. But it would solve nothing. And one foolish move could increase the danger Mia was already in.

Still he couldn’t help but wish she were here. That she’d had the same opportunities as the rest of these women. That she had lovely dresses made of soft and luxurious fabrics. That she had a line of men waiting to dance with her and bring her lemonade. Yet she was in hiding while everyone in the room believed her to be dead. Everyone save himself and her two selfish sisters.

“Seriously, Alex, I think you just made that girl cry. If you’re going to glare, perhaps you should aim your vitriol in my direction. I don’t find you the least bit frightening,” Edward said. Though his tone was light, there was something decidedly more sinister about Edward tonight. It was on Alex’s tongue to inquire from his friend about the previous relationship he’d had with Rachel, but the band started to play.

“I believe this dance is for Juliet,” Alex said.

“A waltz. So you truly are going to propose to that girl?” Edward asked.

“We all have to marry sometime, old man.” With that, Alex left his friend standing there while he walked over to where Juliet stood with her mother and a handful of other women. “Miss Beckinsale, I believe this is our dance,” he said.

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