The Ugly Duckling Debutante (House of Renwick #1)(18)

“Deal,” he agreed. No reluctance in his voice. He would pay to follow her around, not that he would ever utter a word of it to anyone. “Shall we?” Offering his arm to her again, he felt his own heart begin to pound and suddenly grew scared for Sai. It was hard enough being of ill reputation as he was, but what would it be like as fresh meat for the ton to feast on?

Sai took his proffered arm and nestled her delicate fingers in the crook of his elbow. He couldn’t help but admire her spunk. On the outside she looked as calm as any of the ladies of his acquaintance. It was almost as if she was used to people gawking at her, but then again how could she not be? She was breathtaking. In fact, she looked so good in the dress she was wearing, it made him want to curse out loud and stand in front of her like some sort of guard dog, warding off any unwelcome advances.

Nicholas methodically led her by the Duke and Duchess. Best to get the introductions finished before Sai decided to faint at his feet. Everyone bowed, and then things started going south. The duchess stepped out, took one look at Sai and laughed; she had the audacity to laugh!

“My dear,” she had her gloved hand over her heart as she spoke. “It looks to me like you’ve brought yourself a little pet.” She smiled curiously at Sai while inspecting her thoroughly from head to toe. Nicholas rolled his eyes, willing the night to end right then so he wouldn’t have to face any more aggravating females.

“Your Grace.” He bowed again. “This is Lady Sai. She is a guest of Lady Fenton, her aunt.”

Sai curtsied and flashed a devastating smile. The Duke’s face took on a purplish red hue as he stammered nervously about how beautiful her name was, after which the Duchess elbowed him directly in the ribs—possibly because he was acting like a fool. It was the perfect exit strategy.

“Sorry about that,” he murmured.

She kept her gaze forward but responded, “What just happened?”

He sighed; his past always was such an inconvenience. “She once tried to seduce me.”

This made Sai laugh so hard he was forced to stop in their tracks, so she could regain her composure. “Are you quite done?”

“Never.” Her sparkling eyes met his in brief interlude then abruptly turned away.

He took her arm again and felt himself laugh a little, too. “I didn’t return her advances.”

“Poor Duchess,” Sai sighed wistfully. “She was probably humiliated beyond repair.”

He looked at her curiously, “What do you mean?”

Sai licked her lips. “I meant no disrespect, my lord—”

“Renwick or Nicholas, never ‘my lord’,” he corrected.

“Nicholas.” His name sounded like honey on her lips. “But considering your reputation, it must have been a great blow to her pride for you not to bed her. I know that sounds terribly rude but…”

He interrupted, “No, you are absolutely right.”

“I am?”

“Don’t get used to it,” he chuckled, and suddenly they were in the ballroom. It was one of those moments people wrote about in books or plays. It seemed even the music stopped as they entered. Lucky for Sai, she wasn’t aware this wasn’t customary, making Nicholas feel more at ease. Her hand, however, was clutching his arm so tight he would have bruises in the morning.

“Be brave.” The words came out in an emotional whisper into her hair.

She looked up at him with her huge eyes and smiled. He wanted to cry in return. He was escorting her to a ball so she could find a husband… as in another man, not him. It suddenly hit him, and his chest tightened as though he had had the wind knocked out of him. She would be in another man’s arms by the end of the Season, maybe by the end of the evening. Her kisses would be reserved for that man and that man alone; her arguments, too.

What he wouldn’t do just to argue with her for the rest of his life. He looked back down at her perfect face and choked back the words he longed to say. He wanted to take her into the darkened hallway. He wanted to seduce her in the gardens and ruin her reputation for good. But she was not good for him. She was manipulative; he needed to remind himself of that fact before he lost all control. She knew she was beautiful, and beautiful women were not faithful. If there was one thing he was sure of, it was the simple fact fidelity was rare. Married people strayed, and the good-looking ones usually strayed toward him. No, he refused to put himself in that situation.

He watched as more eyes locked on the sight of the two of them. His chest swelled with pride that Sai was on his arm—until he caught sight of Sir Belverd.

Sir Belverd lifted an eyebrow in his direction. Nicholas scowled and rolled his eyes.“Please. Nothing could induce me to lose the bet.”

Belverd shook his head and lifted his glass into the air to salute Nicholas for being so brave. Nicholas wanted to stab him; instead he returned a polite smile and led Sai onto the floor.

“Any perspective suitors, Sai?”

“Hmm?” she asked looking up at him. Was she even paying attention?

Apparently noticing his frustration, she sighed. “I’m sorry, I just… It’s a lot.” Her voice held no confidence whatsoever, so he decided to bolster her esteem a bit.

“You are not like most girls,” he crooned into her ear as they danced together. “Hold your head high, and be brave. I’m sure you’ve been stared at all your life, this should come as no shock to you, should it?”