But recently his mother and father had bestowed a new responsibility. He was now in charge of the Eastern portion of their lands and was expected to rule the district in a manner his father approved. That meant being a married man with at least one heir. He was getting older, and it was starting to annoy them.
Always willing to listen to his father’s suggestions and obey when told something to do, Daniel had decided to press forward and really find a bride this time. The new Season started on Friday, and he would be at the ball.
He sighed again, rocking back and forth in the saddle as his horse trotted back to the stable. If there weren’t any new ladies at the ball, he wasn’t going to find what he was looking for.
Then again, if he looked at women he hadn’t considered before, that might help his cause. He shook his head instinctively as if to wipe away the thoughts. Who hadn’t he considered except the old hags and the wallflowers? He didn’t want a lady who would follow him around like a puppy dog or one who would behave like she was his mother. He didn’t want a lady who just sat there doing what she was told either. He had his own life to live and wanted to find a woman who had her own, as well. He had no idea if he would find her but it was going to be too late very soon.
Chapter Two
Cynthia needn’t have worried about her impact on Alexander’s social reputation. They were barely seated when he was surrounded by several women, flirting and hinting they would like to be seen with him during the Grand March. He gave her a smile and stood up to move off with the women following close behind him. He knew it didn’t bother Cynthia to have the women all around him as much as it made her feel crowded. He tried to show as much respect for his friend as he could.
There were three other people at the table, chatting and drinking. One man and a woman were drinking white wine. The other gentleman’s glass looked to be filled with something clear, but Cynthia couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
She scanned their faces while they were chatting with each other, trying to remember who they were. Slowly, she found their names in her memory banks. The couple that was obviously talking to each other were Lady Catherine MacGregor and Sir Anthony Duke. She remembered his name suddenly because she remembered thinking it was a good thing he was an Earl and in the military rather than being a Duke.
She lowered her head and hid her grin behind a fabric hand fan, which she flipped open. She couldn’t help giggling behind it, thinking he would be called “Duke Duke.” She feared she was going to fall into a fit of giggling if she didn’t get her mind off of that phrase and quickly, so she lifted her eyes and looked directly into the gaze of the third person across from her, the hardy Duke Daniel Willingham. His direct gaze instantly halted her giggling, and she lost her smile. He had a strange look about his face, and she didn’t mind staring right back at him. He didn’t look away. Their attention was suddenly broken when the couple stood up, and Sir Anthony said to Duke Willingham, “I’m going to dance this one with Lady Catherine, old chap. You should find someone to take out on the dance floor.” He glanced over the table at Cynthia. “Perhaps Lady Vogel would care to dance?” Without waiting for a response from Cynthia, he put his hand on Lady Catherine’s waist and ushered her out onto the dance floor.
She decided not to say anything in response. She reached out slowly, picked up a glass of wine that had been set in front of her and took a long drink from it. Her nerves were on edge, and she couldn’t pinpoint the reason. It could have been the way Duke Willingham was looking at her. Or it could be that she was staring back at him with just as much determination.
What is he looking at? She thought, feeling a bit of anger at his audacity to just sit there and stare at her. His face did not register the feelings of a love-smitten suitor. He was looking at her as if to analyze her without asking questions. There’s certainly a lot more to me than just my outer appearance! She thought and was suddenly wondering if her dress was in style this Season or if she had accidentally worn an old one. She forced herself not to look down at her gown. Perhaps she had spilled something on it somehow?
She was nervous all of a sudden, and that unnerved her even more.
Daniel leaned forward abruptly. “Well?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Well, what?” she replied.
“Do you want to dance?”
“If you wish it.”
“If I wish it? Do you want to dance or not?”
“I don’t want to step on your toes, sir, as I am not a very graceful dancer.” She found herself speaking more openly with him than she typically did with men. The whole situation made her feel strange and confused.
“I don’t mind that.” Daniel stood up and held his hand out toward her. “I might be the one stepping on your delicate toes, and that would not be a good thing, would it? We’ll be clumsy together.”