“You seem surprised,” he said, amusement coloring his voice. “You didn’t think I could waltz?”
He’d misunderstood her stunned bewilderment. Thank God, because she couldn’t have borne the humiliation if he realized how her body tingled in response to his.
“I thought you’d be rusty in your steps,” she dodged. “I didn’t think you’d have had much opportunity to practice during the past few years.”
“Not often, that’s true. And my horse made for a damnably clumsy partner.”
She laughed despite the fluttering butterflies in her belly. “Four left hooves?”
“The rascal kept wanting to lead.”
Another laugh bubbled from her as he twirled her into a turn in the far corner of the room, then started a promenade back across the floor. How had she not remembered him being so witty? Brilliant, of course. Cunning even, from the stories she’d read of his battle exploits. But such a dry sense of humor was a welcome discovery, one that was helping to cut through her unease.
The worst was over between them, apparently. Hoping they could be friends, she teased, “Perhaps I should be partnering with the cavalry at society balls.”
But he didn’t laugh at her joke, instead forcing a tight smile as if distracted. Apparently, more lingered on his mind than the reason she’d been avoiding Charlton Place.
Well, if they were going to find a way to be friends, then she might as well be bold about it. “General, is something wrong? You keep looking at me as if…” She shook her head, puzzled. “As if you don’t know what to make of me.”
“Because I don’t,” he answered honestly, his brow drawing down into a puzzled frown. His bluntness was jarring, as was the sound of betrayal in his voice. “Because I simply cannot fathom why you lied to me about Elise’s death.”
An Inconvenient Duke
Also by Jane Ashford
The Duke’s Sons
Heir to the Duke
What the Duke Doesn’t Know
Lord Sebastian’s Secret
Nothing Like a Duke
The Duke Knows Best
The Way to a Lord’s Heart
Brave New Earl
A Lord Apart
How to Cross a Marquess
Man of Honour
The Three Graces
The Marriage Wager
The Bride Insists
The Bargain
The Marchington Scandal
The Headstrong Ward
Married to a Perfect Stranger
Charmed and Dangerous
A Radical Arrangement
First Season / Bride to Be
Last Gentleman Standing
Earl to the Rescue
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