“I came as Miss Darling’s escort,” Will advised him.
Gray glanced at her and caught her studying his hair. He waited an instant until her eyes widened on his when she realized she’d been caught. Gray was displeased with himself for letting her stir something in his belly. He looked away quickly, forgetting what he’d wanted to say.
“Keep her away from Cavendish,” he warned Will Gable instead. “If I see him speaking with her, I’ll hold you responsible.”
He walked off before either of them could say a word. He didn’t feel like dancing anymore. In fact, he felt like tearing something apart. His gaze drifted to Duke Hamilton, still sitting in the seat he’d fallen into at one of Gray’s tables, shoving a spoonful of food into his big mouth, where he had suggested to his father that Grayson be sent to the front lines.
Gray started for him, walking between the guests like a wolf stalking its prey from within the trees. The duke was too busy chewing and laughing at something the duke of Nottingham, sitting on the other side of him, said.
When Gray slipped into the empty chair beside Hamilton, he said nothing for a moment. He boldly took in the sight of him with the hint of a mocking smile on his lips. When Hamilton turned to see him, he stopped chewing.
Good, now that Gray had his attention, he smiled slightly and motioned to his father across the floor. “For wanting me dead, when he dies, you’ll die too.”
He leaned in closer, and closer still until the strength and power in his gaze made the duke whimper. “Depending on what else you tell the duke of Devon…” he paused and set his hungry gaze on the duke’s dimple-cheeked daughter… “you will or won’t go alone.”
Judging by Hamilton choking on his air, he got Gray’s meaning. Good, Gray hated having to explain himself. Before he left the table he turned to Hamilton’s daughter and let his gaze rove over her dark tresses piled in curls over her ears. She smiled slightly and gave her hair a prim pat. Gray knew he had her—and after he’d threatened her father, no less.
“Catherine,” he said, using her familiar name, “I’ll call on you for…tea. I hope you will accept.”
She blushed to her roots and nodded. “Of course, my lord.”
His eyes didn’t leave the duke’s, even when he nodded.
He started for Cavendish next, when he saw his stepmother standing over Miss Darling. He cut a path for them and arrived in time to hear his father’s wife flap her tongue.
“There is not much known about you, Miss Darling. Where did you say is the city of your birth? Might we be acquainted with your father?”
“I doubt it, Eloise. Excuse us.” He cupped Miss Darling’s elbow in his palm and led her away, flashing a dark look at Will.
“You did not say anything about the duchess,” Will defended, catching up.
Gray ignored him and kept walking with Miss Darling. When she realized he was escorting her out, she yanked her elbow out of his hand.
“Are you throwing me out?” she demanded.
“Yes!” he said, refusing to be moved by a mere wisp of a woman. “You have no idea—”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not leaving.”
Did she just say—“What? What do you mean? When someone throws you out—”
“I said I’m not going,” she repeated. “The whispers about you are true, I see. You are dim-witted.”
He stood there staring at her, lips parted, caught on a breath and on an oath trapped in his throat. He looked at Will for a moment, but the carpenter gave no answers, though he’d lived with her for days now.
“Fine,” he relented reluctantly. “Stay then. But don’t leave my side.” He took her by the wrist and pulled her toward the tables. Gable followed them and Gray was reminded of the time he had a thistle in his boot while he fought a battle.
“Sit. Eat,” he grumbled when they reached a rectangular table with four couples already sitting and eating while the musicians played.
When Miss Darling looked down at his feet, he followed her gaze with a curious look.
“Oh, sorry,” she said, “just checking to see if your knuckles reached the floor.”
Gable sat on the other side of her and also gave Gray’s boots a curious look. Harper, on the other hand, giggled as she finally showed up in the ballroom and passed their table with a glance Gray’s way.
And then at Miss Darling.
Gray let her pass without stopping her, then turned to Miss Darling. “Do you know her?”