“You look lovely for having bumped around in a carriage for hours,” Lecia said instead of a proper greeting. She kissed both of Giuliana’s cheeks. “Doesn’t she, Alastair?”
The Duke breathed out of his nose and turned away. “I wish you both stopped fishing for compliments from me.”
Lucas chuckled at his friend who had been in a foul mood since Jasper’s name crossed his lips. He was so easy to read when it concerned Giuliana. His fiancee, however, was not in good humour. She raised her fan and rapped Alastair on the arm with a savage force.
“Maybe if you acted as a proper fiance instead of an overgrown child, no one would have to do that.” She grabbed Giuliana by the arm. “It’s not too late to find seek out a better man, my dear friend. I hear that Sir Jasper is back in the Capital.”
“Why you--”
“Let’s go, Giuliana.” With her nose in the air, Lecia strode away with the elegance of her breeding.
“It’s fine, Lecia,” whispered Giuliana. “We know how Alastair is.”
“That doesn’t excuse any of his behavior. How can he act like a besotted fool in that witch’s presence but then can’t even tell his fiancee she looks stunning?”
“He’s always been like that.”
Lecia’s eyebrow twitched. She longed to shake her friend by the shoulders, but it was a ball. So, instead, she breathed in deeply. “No one is acting suspiciously, and no one appeared surprised at your presence.”
“Well, I did not expect the villain to shout at me if he or she saw me.”
“I suppose not.”
“Has Sir Jasper truly returned to the Capital or are the two of you merely wishing to get a rise out of Alastair?”
“Oh, he’s back alright, and he’s here. He asked about you already.” Lecia craned her neck to look around the ballroom. “Right there! See!”
Sir Jasper stood amid a gaggle of giggling girls, surpassing their heights by a head or two. He was slighter than the Duke, but arguably just as handsome with a headful of russet hair and a pair of hazel eyes that seemed to pierce through you.
“I didn’t expect him to return.”
“You mean, after he confessed to you at the graduation ball and you turned him down?”
“I was and still am engaged.”
“You’ll be engaged forever at this rate,” Lecia complained. “You should have just run away with a man who adores you and left your Duke to his misery.”
“I thought you liked Alastair.”
“I do. But I dislike how he acts most of the time.” She growled beneath her breath. “Look at him over there.” Indeed, Alastair was in a similar position as Sir Jasper, surrounded by girls with stars in their eyes.
“I’m shocked that Ms. Dunstan is not amongst them.”
Lecia snorted in laughter. “She didn’t get an invitation since she’s just a baron’s daughter.”
“No! Is that true? I thought she was turning into the Belle of the Elite?” She had definitely been at this ball before and Ms. Dunstan sought fit to steal Alastair away for at least two dances.
This time around she targeted ladies instead of men—unmarried women with no social presence of which to speak. Yes, their fathers and fiances held powerful positions, but they had never befriended the matrons of the Elite and that’s who planned and executed most of the social gatherings.
“I thought so too.” Lecia shook her head. “Perhaps she won’t be a problem.”
“I’m don’t think I agree with that.”
“My lady Giuliana!” Sir Jasper materialized before them, bent at the waist into a deep bow. “It’s been too long.”
“Sir Jasper,” she greeted in a warm voice. “How have you been?”
“Like a man starving, my lady. But in seeing your face I am fulfilled.”
“You’ve always been too kind.”
“Please do me the honor of dancing with me.”
She almost refused thinking back to Alastair’s request to save a dance. That letter, however, was a ruse. The Duke would never speak the words aloud. She extended her hand to him.
“I would love to, Sir Jasper. I think the last time we danced was at the graduation ball.”
He blushed in reply as he led her to the dance floor. Lecia missed the rest of their conversation as they drifted out of range. She didn’t have to wait for a second before Alastair flanked her, expression schooled into one of aloofness.
“Why is she with him?”
“Because he asked her.”
“B-But, isn’t he in love with her?”
“And?”
“She shouldn’t dance with a man she knows has feelings for her when she has a fiance.”
“Don’t you dance with several young ladies who fancy you?”
“None of them have tried to get me to run away with them.”
“I still can’t believe she refused him,” Lecia answered, tilting her head to the side. “I’d have run away with him in a heartbeat.” She sighed, eyes locked on the straight back of Sir Jasper. “He’s awfully handsome.”
“You won’t get a rise out of me that way. But I appreciate the effort.”
Lecia sucked on her teeth. “You’re not even fazed by your beloved Giuliana in the arms of another man? A man who’s in love with her and expresses it?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do you expect Giuliana to be happy with how matters stand between you?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Again, Lecia, I ask... what is that supposed to mean?” He ground out.
“I cannot explain everything to you,” she replied with a scoff. “I just wonder if she’ll stick around if he repeats his offer.”
Alastair detested what she implied. He recalled how Sir Jasper had turned her head during their last year at the Academy. Well, she had not been interested in him. But, they spent enough time together to raise more than a few brows. Especially when he dropped to a knee in the middle of the ballroom and poured out his heart.
Alastair couldn’t blame Jasper for that. His fiancee was a paragon that inspired that depth of dedication in a man. Hadn’t Alastair demanded to marry her when they were children for much the same reason? But, what was Lecia going on about?
Giuliana wasn’t the type to just abandon her duties for love and a handsome face. Right? Alastair understood that much at least. He didn’t care for the way she lit up like a flame when Jasper came around. Just why was that? Was he nicer than Alastair? Was he more handsome? Hmm, what was it about him?
When the dance ended, Sir Jasper escorted Giuliana to Alastair’s side. Their high spirits only soured his mood more.
“Lord Wytchwood, I have returned your bride to your side.”
Giuliana’s eyes shone with mirth, and she giggled. “I’m not his bride yet, Sir Jasper. We’ve only just set a date.”
“Is that so? I’d have thought His Grace was more keen to see you joined in matrimony.”
Alastair’s arm had a mind of its own as it snaked its way around Giuliana’s waist, pulling her taut against him. “I am very keen, Sir Jasper.”
“Is that right? Many assumed it’d never happen due to the length of your engagement.”
“You’re not the only one,” his traitorous fiancee added. “I think the Elite expected you to meet someone while we were at the Academy.”
“You’ll not be rid of me so easily,” answered Alastair. “I’ve no interest in ladies that prostrate themselves before me.”
“But what of the estimable Ms. Dunstan?”
“What of her?” Both Alastair and Giuliana asked.
Sir Jasper’s smile only widened. “Ah, you’ve not heard the latest?”
Even Giuliana’s extra memories did not contain what he said next. He spoke the words with such ease and joy that she wished for the marble floor to swallow her whole.
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