Her limbs started to burn. Her legs started to tremble. Despite everything, Octavia still belonged to the Duke entirely and hopelessly, and there was nothing that she could do.
“Miss Redgate,” the Duke said as he reached her and Dorethea. “I was hoping I would find you here.”
“You… you were,” she stammered. Octavia did her best to stand tall, to appear confident, but she wilted before him.
“Yes.” He did not smile. There was nothing behind his eyes. But he did not look away. “In fact, I was hoping that we might talk.”
“Oh.” She swallowed. “About?”
He looked around them, taking note of how many people had stopped what they were doing to watch. “In fact, would you care to join me for a dance?” He offered her his hand.
“I…” She eyed the hand. “I am afraid I am not much for a dancer.”
“Somehow, I find that hard to believe.” Without waiting for permission, he took her hand. “Come, they are about to begin.”
Octavia could do nothing but allow herself to be led by the Duke. Her hand tingled where he held it, and her chest was so tight that she could hardly breathe.
What does he want? Does he… no, Octavia. Do not dare think it. Do not get your hopes up…
He led her to the dancefloor, where a dozen other couples were just now taking their position. He stepped into her, his right hand gripping her own, his left hand resting on her hip. It was a soft touch, almost hesitant, and their bodies were nowhere near as close as Octavia might have liked.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
“I…” She swallowed again. “I suppose we will find out.”
He smirked. “I suppose we shall.”
The music started suddenly, and without another word, the Duke led Octavia and himself across the dancefloor in a waltz. Octavia knew a little of this dance, but she was no expert. Not that it mattered, as the Duke led her perfectly, in full control, as was his way.
As they danced, Octavia tried her best not to meet his eyes. She was afraid that if she did, he would see the truth of her thoughts in them. While she knew how she felt, she believed that he was not of the same mind, and that when he realized her feelings… that he would own her even more than he already did.
“I am glad that you were here tonight,” the Duke said finally.
“You are?” Octavia glanced up and found the Duke looking ahead.
“I have been thinking all week about…” His expression turned tight. “About the last time that we spoke, and I feel that I owe you an apology.”
“You do?” Her heart started to race… hope threatening to burst from her.
“The truth is, what has happened, it…” His brow furrowed. “It caught me by surprise, as I am sure it did you. I did not expect it,so I am afraid that I did not handle it nearly so well as I should have done.”
“That is fine,” she said, not wanting to argue. “If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”
“And why would you apologize?”
“I broke my promise,” she said. “You were right to be upset. Is that…” She tried to meet his eyes still, but he refused to look down. “Is that why you were upset?”
He hesitated. He looked ahead. She saw him consider… “Yes,” he said stiffly. “That is the reason.”
She winced. “I am sorry…”
“Don’t be,” he said, still without looking. “But it is wrong of me to hold that against you, and I see that now. You were a different person when you made that promise, so you cannot be expected to keep it.”
“As you were a different person when you had me make it.”
It was subtle, but a touch of a smile found his lips. “I suppose I was, wasn’t I? Nonetheless, promises were made and broken.” He chuckled softly. “All of them, by my calculation. You never were much good at keeping your promises.”
“No, I wasn’t,” she laughed.