conversation she had acknowledged the only subject Dewhurst liked to talk about was Dewhurst. Then she’d done no talking. He talked enough for both of them.
“Chatting is a relatively inane name for what you were probably saying to him.”
“What makes you think you know what I was saying to him?”
He smiled, but there was no humor in it. “Seeing how you asked me while dancing, I figured you went to the next name on the list.”
Of all the nerve! “First of all…” She lowered her voice when she noticed it had risen enough to catch bystanders’ attention. “First of all, I asked you then because you said you owed me. That is the only reason I presented the query to you. Second of all, Dewhurst isn’t that far up on the list, if you must know. And third of all, it isn’t any of your business.”
“It is my business. You asked me first. But then, my family connection to you makes it imperative that I watch over you.”
Once again, she was knocked speechless. The man had to be one of the most arrogant people on the face of the earth. Granted, he was a duke, but what made him think he could tell her what she could and could not do?
It briefly flitted through her mind to tell him he had not been the first one she had asked, but that was simply petty and it would do no good to lie to him about that. He was angry enough as it was. She tried a different approach. “While I understand your concern, I really don’t think there is any need for it. I have changed my mind.”
His eyebrows rose slightly, and he studied her. “And what brought about this change?”
Cicely pulled her lower lip between her teeth, trying to think of a lie plausible enough to fool him. She wasn’t very good at the whole game of lying. Blushing profusely while telling falsehoods tended to alert people of one’s deception. Understanding now just how far his arrogance went, she decided guilt might work. Drawing in a deep breath, she prepared her performance, knowing the threat of tears worked on most men. She’d seen Anna perform this task at least a half dozen times in the last month.
“Truthfully?”
“That would be nice.”
“Very well. When you seemed so appalled by the idea, I realized what I was up against.” She shook her head dramatically and blinked a few times.
“Lady Cicely—”
“No. No, don’t say any more. I completely understand. I do. I see why you would not want me, but please spare me the words. It was foolish to ask you, to even think… Anyway, I wish to put the whole thing behind me.” She lowered her head and pitched her voice in such a way that there was no mistaking her horror. If Douglas bought this act, Anna was right. Men were terrified of female tears.
He sighed, and she couldn’t help glancing up from beneath her lashes at him. For the first time since Cicely had met him, Douglas not only looked confused, but a tad bit bewildered. She almost felt sorry for him, but she was more worried about diverting his attention. She didn’t need another big brother. Certainly not one she thought of with such…adoration.
“Lady Cicely, I apologize for upsetting you.”
She looked up, waiting for his next comment, but the bell for dinner rang.
He paused. Cicely watched, amused in spite of her situation. The mixture of emotions that swept over his features ranged from suspicion to irritation to uneasiness. His eyebrows drew down as he narrowed his eyes, studying her as if she were a creature he had never seen before.
After a few moments, he released a breath and the tension in his body drained. He may not believe her, but at that moment, he wasn’t going to press for information. Holding out his arm, he said, “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me into dinner?”
She smiled at him, relieved he had chosen this path. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Forgetting the need for tears, or a demure manner, she placed her hand on his sleeve and walked beside him into the dinner room. Her hand warmed,