It took all of her energy to hide the satisfaction she felt. “We must stop meeting on balconies.”
“I came out to tell you that it is time to leave,” he said. It seemed apt that the statement came from the darkness, as it brought a deep sense of sin with it, pooling inside her in a pit of nerves and anticipation. And not a small amount of fear.
“Farewell,” she said, willing her fear away. Wishing for more alcohol.
“I’m for the club,” he said, moving just enough for her to see his face in the candlelight that spilled from the ballroom. “I’ve a message for Chase.” He was all seriousness. She stilled, disappointment rocketing through her. She thought he’d come for her, but he hadn’t. He’d come for Chase.
It occurred, vaguely, that they were one and the same, but she could not think too much on that.
“Chase is not there,” she snapped before she’d thought about it.
His brows snapped together. “How do you know that?”
She hesitated, then said, “I don’t.”
He watched her for a long moment. “You do, but now is not the time to discuss how. It is time for us to leave.”
“It is ten o’clock. The ball has just begun.”
“The ball is half over, and we have an arrangement.”
“We did not have an arrangement that involves my carrying messages to Chase.” She heard the peevishness in the words. Did not particularly care. “I am not ready to leave. I am dancing.”
“You’ve danced with six men, nine if you count Cross, Bourne, and the Marquess of Ralston.”
She smiled. “You’ve been watching.”
“Of course I’ve been watching.” The information was pleasing indeed. As was that “of course.” “And I allowed you a quarter of an hour here with Langley.”
“You allowed me?”
“I did. And nine dances is plenty for one evening.”
“It’s only six. Married men don’t count.”
“They count for me.”
She did move closer then, unable to resist the words, dark and filled with irritation. “Be careful, sir, or I shall think you’re jealous.”
His eyes were liquid, the color of mahogany. And tremendously compelling. “Have you forgotten? Me, and no one else?”
“No, the arrangement was you, and not Chase.”
Mahogany turned black. “There’s a new arrangement, then.” This Duncan West was like none she’d ever seen—utterly focused, filled with power and might. And desire.
A desire that would be mutual if she allowed it to be. If he weren’t so unnerving.
“You could have danced with me,” she said softly, stepping closer.
He met her halfway, closing the distance between them and whispering, “No, I couldn’t have.”
“Good God.”
Georgiana spun around at the words to find Temple standing a few feet away, his wife on his arm.
“Christ, Temple, you have terrible timing,” Duncan grumbled before bowing. “Your Grace.”
Mara, Duchess of Lamont, smiled, and Georgiana did not like the knowledge in the smile, as though she knew everything that had transpired between the others on the balcony. And she likely did. “Mr. West. Lady Georgiana.”
“The two of you need a chaperone,” Temple said.
“We’re in full view of half of London,” Georgiana snapped.
“You’re on a dark balcony in full view of half of London,” Temple replied, coming closer. “That’s why you need a chaperone. Look at him.”
She did as she was told. Not that it was a challenge. “He’s very handsome.”
West’s brows rose.
“I . . .” Temple paused and gave her a strange look. “All right. Well. I’m not talking about that bit—though I assume a chaperone wouldn’t care much for such a statement—I’m talking about the fact that he looks as though he’s planning to steal you away.”
“You look that way as well,” she pointed out.
“Yes. But that’s because I am planning to steal my wife away. As we are married, we are allowed to do the things that people do on dark balconies.”
“William,” the duchess said. “You’ll embarrass them. And me.”
He looked to his wife. “I shall make it up to you.” The words were filled with dark promise, and Georgiana rolled her eyes before he continued, “Tell me he doesn’t look as though he’s planning to steal her away.”
Mara considered them, and Georgiana resisted the urge to smooth her skirts. “He does, rather.”
“As it turns out,” Georgiana said, “he is planning that very thing.”
“Good Lord,” Temple said.
“It wasn’t going to be quite so overt,” Duncan said.
“Well, she’s not going anywhere now,” Temple replied. He turned to her and cocked his head in the direction of the dancing. “Let’s go.”
She blinked. “Let’s go where?”
“I’m going to dance with you.”
“I don’t wish to dance with you.” She heard the petulance in her tone and couldn’t summon the energy to change it. She waved a hand at the duke and duchess. “Besides, don’t you have other plans?”