GERI WAS PACING and still trying to figure out a way to get out of going. Social functions had never been her forte in the past. She was a bit of a wallflower and the couple of times she’d accompanied Frederick somewhere she’d felt very out of place and unwelcome. And she had a sneaking suspicion that she would be unwelcome at this function as well. She was, after all, Lord Collins’s estranged daughter.
“You’re worrying for nothing, Geraldine.”
She glanced up the stairs. Her father was standing at the mirror on the landing, adjusting his bow tie.
“And how do you know I’m worried?” she asked.
“Easy. You pace, just like me.”
Geri smiled and then went up the few steps to the landing to help her father with his bow tie.
“You’re hopeless at this. I thought a lord would know better,” she teased.
“I have someone dress me usually.” He was teasing her back and it was nice. Usually he was so careful, so polite.
“There,” she said, smoothing his lapels. “All done. What would you do without me?” Then she blushed when she realized what she’d said and she could see the sadness in her father’s eyes. A brief flicker of regret.
And she shared it, as well.
All those wasted years her mother had stolen from them.
She cleared her throat.
“You really shouldn’t be going to this social event, Father. You’ve only been out of the hospital for three days.”
Her father walked down the stairs slowly. “Nonsense, you’re just trying to get out of it.”
“I’m not.”
Liar.
She was totally trying to get out of it. At least she didn’t have to go to the horse show. She liked horses, she just wasn’t really into them all that much, and enclosed stadiums full of animals were not her thing.
“You look stunning, by the way,” her father said as he adjusted the cuff links on his tuxedo. “Absolutely stunning.”
She was pleased by that. The dress was bronze-colored, with a fitted strapless bodice and a full taffeta skirt that was bustled up in a haphazard way. She felt very awkward in it, but she’d always secretly dreamed of wearing a dress like this, though after a certain point she’d stopped dreaming about it because she’d thought it would never happen.
Even at school formals, her mother had got her dresses from charity shops because her mother didn’t believe in feeding the consumeristic fashion industry.
Vintage was better.
Only Geri secretly craved fashion and being chic.
That was the only upside to this social function, because she was absolutely dreading everything else. She didn’t know anyone there and certainly didn’t know how to talk to them. She knew nothing about the International Horse Show.
Once she got there and her father was satisfied that she’d met enough people, she’d retreat to a corner and try to stay unnoticed until her father grew tired enough that he’d leave. And she was sure that, given his bad reaction to the chemotherapy, their jaunt out tonight to this ball would not be long.
Her father was having a hard time coming down a flight of stairs. She doubted he would be able to do much socializing tonight. She wrapped her wrap around her shoulders so she wouldn’t freeze in the December weather.
“Shall we?” He held out his arm, smiling at her.
“Of course. Let’s get this over with.”
“Geraldine, don’t be such a Debbie Downer. You’ll have fun. Who knows, you might meet an eligible and suitable young man.”
“So you keep saying, but I’m not looking. Right now it’s my career, as I’ve told you before.”
“I can live in hope.”
“You’re a romantic? You?”
Her father nodded. “Yes. In spite of the hand love dealt me, I’m still hopeful.”
She squeezed his arm. She wished she had his optimism, but when love had dealt her a bad hand she’d known it was better to cut her losses than remain hopeful.
Marriage was not in the cards for her.
Jensen was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for them. He held open the door and Geri slid in first, tucking her skirt in as her father climbed in beside her. There was a pained expression on his face. He winced as he shifted.
“Are you sure you should be going tonight?” she asked again.
“Positive,” he snapped. “I’m fine, Geraldine. I’ve never missed this event and I’m damned if I’ll miss it now.”
She shook her head. “You’ll regret it in the morning.”
“I can live with that.”
They stopped arguing when Jensen got into the car. They rode in silence to Mayfair, where the Gileses were holding the ball. The street and the drive were jam-packed with luxury cars and limousines.
“I’m sure their neighbors love them,” Geri mumbled at the congestion.
“Most of the neighbors are invited.” Her father smiled at her and took her hand. “Relax. It’ll be fine.”
Jensen pulled up and parked. He opened the door and her father got out first, then helped her out. Geri tried not to shake with nervousness as her father led her up to the front door.
She was stunned by the beauty of the home and by all the people dressed to the nines. There was a huge Christmas tree at least fifteen feet tall in the foyer. It was decorated in traditional Victorian ornaments and candles.
It was like nothing she’d ever seen before. It was like something from a magazine.
“You’ve stopped shaking,” her father teased.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Admit it. You’re glad you came.”
“Only a bit.” She smiled at her father and gave him a little side hug. “I do like Christmas trees.”
Her father just grinned at her and led her down the stairs through the foyer. Above the tree was a large chandelier, which accentuated the large spiral staircase.
“Are you quite all right?” Her father asked as he handed her a flute of champagne.
“I think so.” She took the flute and laughed. “Still nervous, but this is just wonderful.”
Her father nodded. “I’m going to say hello to our host and hostess. Will you be okay if I leave you for a moment?”
“Of course.” Geraldine had already met the host and hostess and her father knew she was nervous about this event enough to make pleasantries.
She walked slowly around the tree, admiring the decorations and listening to the chatter around. There was a group of woman about her age. Debutantes. They barely spared her a glance, but she didn’t care. She just stood there, admiring all the Christmas decorations and taking in the sights of a beautiful London home decked out for Christmas.
“I can’t believe they invited Duke Weatherstone and that he actually came. He never comes to these things.” The ladies began to chatter loudly.
“I heard that he actually seduced Harriet Poncenby, but since he didn’t want to get married ever, she dropped him.”
“He’s devilishly handsome, though.”
Geri chuckled to herself as she listened to the gossip and she couldn’t help but wonder who this Duke Weatherstone was because she’d heard so much about him. All she could imagine was a middle-aged Lothario, because even though these socialites thought he was devilishly handsome, she doubted very much that he would live up to expectations.
No one ever did.
“He did, he actually came to this event and he looks so handsome in that tuxedo. Too bad he brought his half sister with him.”
Geri whipped around to see who they were talking about and she gasped when she saw that it was Thomas and Zoe who were coming down the stairs.
Thomas? He’s the Duke of Weatherstone.
And the women were right, he was devilishly handsome in that designer tuxedo. His dark hair was perfectly groomed and a mischievous, devil-may-care smile flitted about his lips. It made her feel weak in the knees and her pulse race. She’d been attracted to Thomas before, he was very handsome, but seeing him like this made her swoon just a bit.
Zoe looked gorgeous in a dark green velvet dress that accentuated her blond hair, the complete opposite of her dark brother. She also looked uncomfortable, but then her gaze met Geri’s and she waved. Geri waved back, stunned. Thomas turned and looked at her and that smile disappeared, replaced by an expression she couldn’t read.
Warmth spread across her cheeks and she knew she was blushing.
Run.
He was heading toward her and there was no escaping now.
Zoe moved away to a group of friends who were waving her over, so by the time Thomas reached her it was just the two of them, but she was sure everyone was staring at them as they stood beside that big tree.
“You look beautiful,” Thomas said. He took her hand in his and bent over it, kissing the knuckles. His hot breath fanning against her skin made a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. “Just absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, finding her voice again.
“I do believe I’ve rendered you speechless.” He grinned. “Good.”
“Good?”
“All right, not exactly good, but I quite like being able to take your breath away.”
“Thomas, or should I say the Duke of Weatherstone. You’re a duke? So when were you planning to inform me? I am, after all, your business partner. Shouldn’t I know these things?”
“That’s a lot of questions.”
“Well, I’m a bit shocked you’re a duke.”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.” He winked.
“The Dark Duke, that’s what they call you? Seducer of debutantes.”
“And where did you hear that?” He asked.
“It’s the on dit here tonight.” Geri nodded slightly in the direction of the group of ladies, who sent her pointed stares.
He winced. “Again, guilty.”
“I don’t think I should be associating with you, Your Grace. You’re liable to ruin my reputation,” she teased, letting her guard down just slightly because she was enjoying her conversation with him.
Dangerous move.
He was a seducer. This was his game and she suddenly felt like the prey, only she wasn’t sure she minded too much at the moment.
There was a twinkle in his eyes as he smiled. “Since when did you care about reputation?”
She froze, worrying that he knew something about Glasgow, about Frederick. “I don’t...I don’t care about reputation.”
“Don’t get missish on me. I’m only teasing.”
She couldn’t help but laugh in relief. “You look very svelte,” she said, changing the subject.
“Why, thank you. I am, after all, in the line of succession.” He ran a hand over his lapels. “I have to look somewhat dashing. I do have a reputation to uphold since I’m a dark seducer of innocents.”
“You’re such a rogue.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
And then before she could help herself the words tumbled from her lips. “You should. I have a soft spot for rogues.”
* * *
Thomas cocked an eyebrow, but his pulse began to race the moment Geri said she had a soft spot for rogues. There was a slight twinkle in her eyes and if she’d been anyone else, he might have taken her up on that.
Except she was completely off-limits. He wouldn’t seduce Charles’s daughter.
Blast.
He’d known she was going to be here and he’d planned to stay away from the event, because he’d managed to stay away from her the last few days. Zoe had been very insistent on coming because of her friends who were planning to attend.
So he’d steeled his resolve and planned to hide away in the corner, but then she’d been standing there beside the tree, looking breathtakingly beautiful in that gown, her hair swept up, her back bare so he could admire the graceful sweep of her long neck.
Then she looked at him and he was lost and for a moment he forgot why he was staying away from her.
She’s your colleague. Not a conquest.
“Is your father here?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Yes. He went over to speak to the host and hostess.” She nodded in that direction and he saw Charles smiling and laughing, though he looked terrible. Charles’s face was so gaunt.
“The chemotherapy is hard on him, I can see.” Thomas sighed. “It’s a shame.”
Geraldine frowned. “Yes. I told him we should just stay home, but he was insistent on coming and was very insistent on me attending.’
“Of course. This is your first formal function as his daughter.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a duke?” she asked again.
Thomas shrugged. “It’s not something I like to brag about. It’s just a title. I’m a surgeon. That I will brag about.”
“I don’t blame you for that in the least.” Then she laughed. “A duke living in a flat in Notting Hill.”
“I may have stretched the truth a tad. I’m afraid I live in quite a large house in Notting Hill. Staff quarters, the whole thing.”
“A flat is what you said.”
Thomas shrugged. “Well, my room is like a flat.”
Geraldine rolled her eyes and music began to filter out of the ballroom. Even though he shouldn’t, he decided he couldn’t resist taking her in his arms, even just for tonight, and having a dance. He took her half-filled champagne flute and set it down. Then he took her hand.
“What’re you doing?” she asked.
“We’re going to have a dance.”
“No, I don’t think that’s wise,” she said, dragging her feet.
“I think it’s very wise. Besides, what harm can it do? We’re friends, right?”
“No,” she said. “We barely know each other.”
“Well, coworkers, then. Come on.”
“I’m a terrible dancer,” she said.
“I’ll lead. It’s not a problem.” He winked at her and gave a tug and she followed after him into the ballroom where people were dancing to the slow music played by the live band. He spun her round and then pulled her flush against him, before leading her out on the dance floor. His hand was on the small of her back as he led the dance.
“You know how to dance?”
“Of course. I’m a duke.” He winked at her and she laughed at his joke but turned her head away.
It felt so good, having her in his arms. He was cursing himself inwardly for doing something so unlike him again. He was pursuing the wrong woman. He couldn’t have her. Only as they moved across the dance floor in sync, his resolve was weakening, because he did want her.
She was forbidden fruit and he was sorely tempted. Geraldine deserved a man who could give her everything he couldn’t. He had money to support her, but he didn’t have a heart to give her. He couldn’t give her a family, even though that’s what he wanted to do.
Geraldine had been through enough pain. Just like him. She deserved more.
“Come on, this dance can’t be all that bad, Geraldine.”
A pink blush tinged her cheeks. “No, it’s not. It’s actually my first dance. I was a bit of a wallflower growing up. No one ever asked me to dance.”
“No one? They were out of their minds then. You’re a fantastic dancer, for the most part because that was my toe you just stepped on.”
“Sorry,” she said. Then she laughed. “Although you do deserve it for forcing me out here.”
He shrugged. “It’s quite all right.”
“Your sister looks beautiful tonight.” Geraldine nodded in the direction of Zoe standing on the edge of the dance floor smiling at him as they moved past.
“Yes, she’s a brat of the highest order. She’s the one who forced me out here tonight.”
“And what does she think of her brother being the notorious Dark Duke?”
He grinned. “She thinks it’s funny, if a bit disturbing. She adores me, though, so it doesn’t matter what I do as long as I’m up-front with her. We don’t hide anything from each other.”
A strange expression passed over her face.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. Just envious of your sibling relationship. I was an only child.” Geraldine smiled. “Zoe is a wonderful young woman. You should be proud.”
“I am.” He glanced back at his sister. “She’s my pride.”
And the closest thing he’d have to having a daughter.
The dancing ended and they stood there for a moment at the edge of the dance floor while the other dancers clapped the band. He still held onto her, staring down into those deep green eyes. He was so close he could reach down and just kiss her.
“Come on,” he whispered in her ear, drinking in her perfume.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to give you a reputation worthy of a lady.” He winked at her.
She blushed, but followed him to a curtained alcove by a window. It was dark in there and she was trembling in his arms.
“Thomas,” she whispered. “This isn’t wise.”
“I’m not going to do anything.” Though he wanted to. “You should’ve seen everyone looking at you. Looking at us. I have to keep up the appearance of being something of a rogue, so I can get all those matchmaking mothers off my back. I’m a highly desirable bachelor.”
“I guess, with your pedigree, you would be highly desirable.” She sighed. “My father is pushing me to find a suitable match. Like I need to be married.”
Thomas was intrigued. “You don’t want to get married?”
“No. Not particularly.”
“Why?”
“Does it matter? Why do I have to get married?”
“So, you wouldn’t be against a bit of romance that didn’t end in something more?”
Don’t. You can’t have her. Charles’s daughter.
“No, I wouldn’t mind,” she whispered. “I don’t need any promises made to me.”
His pulse thundered in his ears and he reached down to touch her cheek, which looked almost like alabaster in the moonlight filtering through the window. She didn’t need marriage, didn’t want it. Just like he didn’t want it. Perhaps he could just indulge once. Just one kiss. He was going to lean down and kiss her, but at that moment a scream rent the air.
They came out of the curtained alcove and looked back toward the dance floor to see what the commotion was about. Geraldine saw it first.
“Zoe!” Geraldine shouted, picking up her skirts and running.
Thomas spun around in time to see his sister crumple to the floor and go into a seizure before her body went rigid. By the time he got to her, she wasn’t breathing.
“Call emergency services and get a defibrillator here immediately,” he screamed above the din. He was handed one and charged it and was about to place the pads on her chest.
“No, you can’t!” Geraldine yelled, throwing herself over Zoe’s body.
“What’re you doing?” Thomas shouted.
“Zoe has a pacemaker. If you shock her with incorrect placement of the paddles, she’ll die.”