Page 45 of The Duke Not Taken

“Hmm?” The princess turned her attention from Joshua to that man. “Oh. No, thank you. Thank you very much for the dance.”

The gentleman eyed Joshua with conceit, then bowed to the princess, and departed.

She watched him go, then turned her gaze to Joshua. “He stepped on my toes three times in the course of one dance. Why is it that people are not taught to dance properly?”

“I... I wouldn’t—”

“I am surprised to find you here this evening! I must say that Lord Iddesleigh is nothing if not persistent in casting his invitations to Hollyfield.”

He deserved that. “At long last, I was at liberty to attend.”

“At liberty,” she repeated, and laughed. “Are you enjoying yourself, then?”

He looked around them, aware that several pairs of eyes were on them. “I am not one for crowds.”

A smile slowly moved her lips. “Imagine, a duke who is not one for crowds. In Wesloria, dukes arenotoriousfor the crowds they draw. Either they are treasonous, or belong to the wrong political party, or are known for lavish soirees. It’s part of the nature of being a duke, isn’t it?”

“It’s a bit different here.”

“Hmm.” She allowed her gaze to casually travel the length of him. “Were you speaking to Lady Aleksander?”

“We are acquainted.” He paused. Surely she didn’t think...that he was a possible match? His skin crawled at the very idea of being offered up as one of a long line of suitors, another cow at market. “You don’t think... I should clarify...” He wasn’t quite certain how to say it. He had no wish to offend. “I—I mean to speak plainly—I am not in the hunt.”

“The hunt for what?”

Why was she so difficult? And why, for God’s sake, did her gaze sparkle like that? “I mean that I am not here as one of your...suitors.” He hadn’t wanted to say it quite like that, but rather to convey that he was not on the marriage market and that she had many gentlemen who were.

However, before he could explain himself, she laughed. “Definitelynot.”

Joshua knew better than to take the bait, but she’d said it so adamantly that now he felt like he ought to be the offended one. “Definitelynot?”

“Definitely not!” she cheerfully confirmed. “You surely didn’t think thatIhad inquired about you? After you’ve been so...” She circled her finger in the air. “I can’t think of the English word.Tiresome, perhaps?”

Joshua was taken aback. That sounded exactly like something he would say to Miles abouther. Except that he would say it toMiles,and not toher. “I beg your pardon?”

“Is that not the right word? My English deserts me at times, I’m afraid. What is the word for difficult company?”

Joshua stared at her in astonishment.

She was the picture of innocence, looking back at him with doe eyes. “I mean no offense.”

“I don’t see how you could possibly not mean offense.” Did anyone ever tell another person they were difficult company and not expect to offend?

“Oh. I’m very sorry—”

“I’m not offended,” he insisted, although he was clearly and thoroughly offended. “But I must correct your view of me—I am nottiresome.I am good company for the most part. And it seems rather uncharitable on your part given that I saved your life earlier this week.”

“For which I was completely grateful even though we must agree to disagree whether yousavedme or helped me. But nevertheless, my gratitude for your efforts doesn’t stand in the way of me witnessing your uneasiness around me.”

He was thoroughly taken aback now. There had been a time in his life that he’d been quite diverting. Ask anyone here. On second thought, perhaps not ask anyone here. “My apologies if I have been a bit tired on those occasions we have met.” Bloody hell, was that his excuse? That he’d been tired? He almost rolled his eyes at himself.

“Oh, I do beg your pardon, Your Grace. I had not realized.” She put her hand lightly on his arm and said, “Perhaps you should not have taxed yourself to come this evening.”

He bristled, mostly because she was so pretty and clearly enjoying this exchange—and he was feeling and looking like a buffoon. Also, he was frozen with something he hadn’t felt in a long time. The touch of her hand to his arm was vastly different than Sarah’s. He didn’t mind it. “I am speaking in general terms, madam. I don’t mean to imply that I’m ill-disposed to attend a ball.” Honestly, Joshua had no idea what he meant to imply, because he was and had been very ill-disposed to attend this ball.

“Then is there another reason you wish you weren’t here?”

“I didn’t say...” He stopped talking. He didn’t know what he’d said. “That was not what I intended to convey.”