Scandal of Love Read Online Free Page B

looked wildly around the room until he locked eyes with the woman in ivory. The woman whom he had thought was his fiancée’s best friend. The woman who was to be his wife.
    He almost stopped breathing as he looked at her, taking in every inch. She would belong to him, only him. A fierce wave of possessiveness and satisfaction swept through him. She would be his.
    To everyone else in the room, everything was put to rights. Although he had asked the best friend to dance, he was gazing longingly at the woman whom he supposedly loved. He just seemed much more the gentleman to dance with the less beautiful woman first.
    His eyebrow arched when he saw a twinkle in her eye. Had she guessed what had happened? She seemed to be amused by the situation. He hoped she was.
    “I apologize for the confusion,” he said, turning his attention back to Aubrey. “This shouldn’t interfere with our charade.”
    “I agree. Everyone seems to be going back to their own business. As long as you dance with Lady Sera next, it should be fine.”
    He nodded in agreement as the music began.
    The quadrille was an intricate dance, but he had memorized the steps long before. At this point, it was muscle memory that got him through the movements. Every thought was on Sera.
    After the last bow, signaling the end of the dance, Quinton escorted Aubrey back toward Sera. “Lady Sera, might I claim you for the next?” he asked, his voice a rich timbre.
    A small smile appeared on her lips. “I would like nothing more.” She favored him with a deep curtsy.
    The room quieted again, and Quinton felt everyone’s eyes on his back. He didn’t care though. All he could think about was this woman: how she looked, smelled, moved. His whole body seemed to be in tune with her.
    Placing her hand on his arm as if they were familiar with each other, he led her to the floor. The first few notes of a waltz began, casting the room in a romantic tone. A few sighs could be heard from across the room as he slowly brought Sera against him.
    He wanted to pull her into him, plaster her against his frame, but that would only cause another scandal. No, they had to behave with the utmost propriety, but he could dream about it.
    As the introduction music ended, Quinton began the steps that had them twirling in each other’s arms around the floor.
    She fit against him so perfectly. They seemed in tune with each other’s steps. So much so that he had no problem leading her through the music, their steps light as they swirled through the room.
    He knew everyone was watching. Everyone was looking for evidence of their passion. And he was never one to disappoint. He had been prepared to feign desire, but with Sera, no pretense was necessary.
    He wanted her. And it was plain for everyone to see.
    He wondered if she felt the same pull as he, if she were just as in tune with him as he was with her.
    He wanted this moment to last, to draw out every last ounce of music. It was with much regret when it came to an end and he had to take his hands off of her.
    Wondering how soon he could get her back into his embrace, he escorted her to her companion. He hoped it would be soon.
    ***
    To say that Sera was surprised was an understatement. She was shocked. This gorgeous, black-haired man who had eyes the color of fresh moss was Lord Devericks?
    After a few deep breaths, Sera was prepared to dance with him, only to have him ask Aubrey first. Confusion settled within her, but it only took a moment to realize what had happened. He thought Aubrey was his fiancée!
    She could tell the second he learned of his mistake, and it took every ounce of her control to stop herself from laughing aloud at the expression on his face.
    She had to hold her laughter inside. It would only cause suspicion for her to laugh at her fiancé during their first appearance together.
    The humor began to fade, quickly replaced by another feeling as he looked to her. He gazed at her with such blatant hunger that she almost