Page 18 of The Duke of Deceit

“The city seems perfectly busy to me,” she countered and leaned away. “All kinds of people still fill the houses and streets, and they still go to work every day.”

“I meantsociety.” He gave her a smile that did little to alleviate his patronizing tone. “Not the rest of those Cits and riffraff.”

Jess took a deep breath of patience and bit back the angry retort he deserved.

“Hardly anyone of worth is left,” Caulderfield amended. Then added flirtatiously, “Except for you, of course.”

“Of course.” She cast a desperate look across the dance floor, hoping against hope that one of the couples would trip and go flying, giving Jess the chance to flee in the ensuing mayhem.

No such luck. The couples all looked perfectly capable of dancing, drat them.

Maybe there was a bright spot in all this, though. She’d planned to wait until midnight before she feigned a headache and convinced Aunt Matilda to leave. Perhaps this dance with Caulderfield could speed things along. After all, the man certainly made her head hurt.

They reached a vacant spot on the floor just as a waltz was called out.

A waltz! She was saved! Jess seized on the new excuse with an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at waltzing.”

“Too scandalous for you?” Caulderfield laughingly mocked as he tried to take her into position in his arms.

“Actually, I simply prefer not to waltz.”Prefer?Ha! She simply didn’t know how, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit it. She tried to step away, but he tightened his hold on her. “Please—let’s just sit out for this dance. It will be over in a few minutes, and we can join the next one.”

“You can do this.” His smile was as bright as ever, but he refused to let her go. “The floor’s not at all crowded, and I’m a good partner. Everyone says so.”

“No. Please—let’s wait.”

His smile faded. “I insist.”

“And I heard the lady say no,” a deep voice interjected from behind her. “Respect that, and release her.”

Jess knew before she glanced over her shoulder—

Lucien Grenier.

The duke’s hard gaze remained fixed on Caulderfield, while everyone else in the room had paused to watch him, including couples on the opposite side of the floor who craned their necks to snag a better look. They were all wondering the exact same thing as Jess… What the devil was that rake doing here?

“Our dance is none of your business, Crewe.” Caulderfield took Jess by the elbow to keep her with him. “But if you ask politely enough, perhaps one of the other ladies would consent to partner with you.” He added with a dark laugh, “For a dance, that is. No one here tonight would be scandalous enough to consent to anything else with you!”

“Mr. Caulderfield, please.” Embarrassment flashed through Jess. A gentleman didn’t say that kind of improper thing in front of a lady. Even if it were true.

“Anything else?” Lucien repeated with a smile, but his eyes remained steely cold. “Well then. I suppose that means Miss St Claire would refuse a turn about the room with me.” Finally, his gaze darted to her. “After all, she’s far too proper to engage inscandalous activities, or she would have caused a scene by now by giving you the slap you deserve.”

Jess’s lips parted in surprise. He was…coming to her defense?

“But I am not nearly as kind as Miss St Claire,” Lucien continued, “and if you don’t release her right now, I will give you far more than a slap.”

Caulderfield’s face turned red. “Crewe, how dare you—”

“His Graceto you,” Lucien corrected as the musicians launched into the waltz despite all the couples still frozen in place, staring at them and whispering. Contrary to his amused tone, Jess felt the chill of his anger lying just below the surface. It was the same anger she’d felt in the carriage yesterday afternoon. “But please, do go on. Say something else to offend me.”

“Why?” Caulderfield foolishly shot back. “So you can call me out at dawn?”

“No.” Lucien casually rocked back on his heels with a confident grin. “So I can beat you to a pulp right here.”

“Don’t be silly,” Jess interrupted, fearing fisticuffs would break out at any moment. She’d wanted an incident to enliven the evening, but she never thought she’d be part of it. “You’re both too finely dressed tonight for such nonsense. Besides, Lord Fitzsimmon would never allow blood to be spilled across his beautiful dance floor.” She arched a brow at Caulderfield. “Yourblood, that is. I doubt you’d land a single blow against His Grace. But if you decide you want to fight over me anyway, then by all means, I’ll let you.” She paused to glance between the two men as if judging them, then let her shoulders slump as she muttered to Caulderfield, “But I do hope you keep a physician on retainer.”

Lucien grinned as if she’d just called him the most spectacular man in the world.

Caulderfield paled and released her arm.