Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2) - Megan Frampton Page 0,56

she choosing now of all times to show empathy toward his situation? Now, when they were in the middle of a ball filled with people he didn’t know? When he couldn’t react?

Although to be fair, it wasn’t as though he would be able to react even if they were the only two people in the room. He didn’t do emotion very well. That was where his fists came in handy.

So to speak.

“Thank you,” he said at last. “I hope I can live up to your expectations.” Even if I can’t live up to mine because I won’t allow myself to.

What would it look like if he did allow himself to?

He didn’t dare. That thought was too tantalizing, too close to what he was starting to dream of.

She patted his arm, for once not using her cane for emphasis. “You will, Duke. You will.”

Lord Brunley remained remarkably humble for the remainder of their dance together. Perhaps she should enlist Nash to punch all her suitors into submission—it would make her own interactions with them far less combative.

He had just escorted her off the dance floor to where they’d last seen Thaddeus when Nash appeared at her elbow, startling her into a shriek that she managed to tamp down to a mere yelp.

Lord Brunley tilted his head back in open appraisal. Which made Nash rise up to his full height. And made Ana Maria roll her eyes.

So much for behaving more humbly. She glanced between them; neither spared a glance at her, both of them too engrossed in staring at one another.

Honestly. It was as though she wasn’t here, as though the two of them were going to masculine one another into submission.

“It is time for our dance, my lady,” Nash said, sounding almost like a regular lord, and not an inarticulate duke.

Probably because he was desperately trying to best Lord Brunley in whatever this particular contest was.

She sighed, placing her hand in his outstretched one. She had been looking forward to this dance all night, but not if he was going to be all fussy about it. Besides which, it wasn’t any of his business who she danced with or spoke with. He’d made that clear enough.

“I will see you tomorrow, my lady,” Lord Brunley said, addressing his remark to Nash.

Nash snarled in reply.

Wonderful. Why didn’t they just go and mark their territory while they were at it? It would be far more direct, and she wouldn’t have to be involved at all.

And why hadn’t she told Lord Brunley no? She was too kind. She knew full well he would likely try to press his suit if given the opportunity. She’d said yes because it was easier than saying no, and she wanted to see Nash’s face when he found out.

But it would mean she’d have to go driving with Lord Brunley.

She was an idiot.

“That cur. He is taking you out tomorrow?”

Nash swung her onto the dance floor, and she allowed herself a moment to revel in his brute strength. But only a moment—he was being an ass, after all. Even though his reaction was all she could have hoped for. Idiot, idiot, idiot.

“And how is Lady Felicity?” She didn’t like how sharp her tone was. Then again, she didn’t like how bossy and manlike he was being.

“Fine,” he replied shortly. “Where is that oaf taking you?”

Never let it be said the Duke of Malvern could be deterred from his line of questioning.

“To see his horses.”

He made a noise that managed to convey disgust, annoyance, and dismissal all at once. Impressive.

“And Lady Felicity?” she said again. Two could play that “won’t be deterred” game.

“I’m taking her . . . driving.”

The pause before he said the final word made her head spin with all the possibilities. Taking her . . . to his boxing room to show her his moves? Taking her . . . to the church to declare his intentions? Taking her . . . in his arms?

“Ah. Driving. Where she will see your horses. Sounds pleasant.” She spoke in a stiff tone of voice. His grip on her tightened, as though he had a reaction he couldn’t quite suppress.

“Look, it’s—” he began, then shook his head.

She stopped dancing, making a few of the other couples bump into them and glare.

“Let’s talk,” she said, taking his arm and beginning to drag him through the ballroom. She spotted a few scandalized glances, but she would deal with scandal rather than have all this whatever it was built up between them.

He was