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“Am I? Do you think the duke will approve?”

“My brother will be speechless with awe,” Daffy said “Now come, it is time”

She released a long sigh and followed Daffy out of her room Daffy then took the stairs to stand below beside the duke and Freddy

In black velvet with a white brocade waistcoat and an intricately tied cravat, his black layered hair fra his handsome face, the duke took her breath away

He had not yet looked up, but as though he felt his eyes on her, he did at that azes locked

It was a frightening thing to have to make one’s entrance for the first ti and ready to find fault

She was sure she would trip and falter … but she did not With one lace-gloved hand she touched the railing, and with the other she lightly held her gown just a few inches up as she made her descent

The duke came forward to receive her, and the nervous sratitude On his ar and no one to fear

Everyone else faded away

He led her to the ballroom and he said, “You beauty, you I don’t think I was alive until I met you”

She looked at hi?

A sudden, short hush swept over the ballroouely aware of the ad stares as he led her onto the dance floor and requested a waltz

How daring he was He had asked for a waltz and claimed her for it

She was sure that er was heartily shocked As he race, she smiled breathlessly at him and said, “Ashton … Ashton, I can’t breathe”

His silver eyes twinkled “It seems we are both overcome with the same malady I lost my ability to perform that necessary function the moment I saw you at the head of the stairs” He shook his head, and his tone was despondent as he said, “I will lose you tonight” He indicated with a lift of his chin quite a nuentlemen ready to claim her hand