The Black Duke's Prize Read Online Free PDF Page A

admirable calm, she thought.
"But, you see, while your problem has been solved, mine remains. I still
do not wish to dance with Mr. DuPres, and you have informed him that I will be
partnered for the entire evening. You have made one of us into a liar."
    "Good
God," he muttered under his breath. Apparently she had his attention now.
"Don't you wish to speak about the weather or the latest Paris fashion or
some such thing?"
    "No."
    The music
ended, and she turned away from him to join in the general applause as he
rather abruptly released her. Lady Alison beckoned to her from the far side of
the room, and she started over. She had taken no more than a step or two when
her hand was taken and tucked around a strong, black-clothed forearm.
    "One does
not leave one's dance partner if one wishes to avoid a scandal, Miss
Ralston," Varon murmured, taking the lead as they headed off the floor.
    "I wasn't
aware that my doings concerned you," she responded hotly, a little
surprised that he would care whether she caused a scandal or not.
    Lady Alison
wore an expression of slight uneasiness as they approached, but she smiled
readily enough at the duke. "They are about to serve supper," she
explained. "Nick, thank you for your assistance."
    Varon glanced
down at Kate, then back at the baroness. "It was my pleasure," he
said smoothly, making Katherine wish to stomp on his foot.
    Lord Neville
joined them, and Kate found herself, to her annoyed chagrin, being escorted
into the dining hall by the Black Duke. The seats had been assigned beforehand
by the hostess, and Sommesby brought her to her chair and helped her into it,
then leaned over her shoulder.
    "Give me
your card," he murmured.
    She half turned
to look at him. "What?"
    "A good
turn deserves a good turn. Give me your dance card, Miss Ralston." He
touched her elbow under the level of the table, and after a hesitation she
slipped the card into his hand.
    During supper most
of the other women at the table took at least a moment to glance in her
direction, and she could almost see the speculation and curiosity, not all of
it friendly. Belatedly she wondered what kind of favor the Duke of Sommesby had
done for her. He sat close to the head of the table, and was receiving far more
attention than she. She wanted no scandal attached to her, for she was only
there to bide her time until she could return to Crestley.
    Halfway through
the meal she turned from conversing with Squire John Delgood of Berkshire and
glanced over to see the Black Duke's eyes on her. She blushed and quickly
looked away. Whatever had possessed her to bait him, she certainly now
regretted the action. As she composed herself over supper, she had time to remember
a great deal more of Emmie's stories concerning the Black Duke. There were
rumors that he had killed or wounded several men in duels, and because of an
argument, he had purposely gambled the Viscount of Worton out of his entire
estate and had then turned around and handed the deed to the nearest footman,
which had caused a second scandal. And now he had been her first dance partner
at her first ball after her return to London.
    Supper ended,
and the guests drifted either upstairs to the gaming tables or back into the
ballroom. She looked about, but didn't see the duke or her dance card anywhere.
Likely he had gone to gamble and taken it with him. She began to curse him
under her breath. Then, sensing someone behind her, she turned to see him
standing there, looking down at her.
    "A
pleasure again, Miss Ralston," he said, and bent to kiss her hand. As he
released it, her card was slipped expertly back into her palm. He then took
Lady Alison's hand as well, granting her a slight smile, and headed out toward
the stairs.
    Katherine
turned the card over in her hand. It was filled with names. Her godmother
looked over at it as well and gave a surprised smile.
    "He's partnered you with some of the most respected, and
interesting, members of the ton. However did you