Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee Page B

lace sleeve. Anna opened her eyes and
     turned to find Adair standing behind her. And the entire miserably dull evening suddenly brightened.
    He looked entirely correct for a fine ball, clad in perfectly tailored black-and-white evening dress. His gold-shot white
     silk waistcoat was very elegant, and his cravat, though simply tied, was fastened with a black pearl pin. He had shaved, the
     strong angle of his jaw and curve of his high cheekbones starkly revealed. His dark hair was brushed back from his brow. He
     could certainly pass for a gentleman of fashion.
    Except for his eyes. Those deep green eyes watched her with a gleam of roguish, mocking laughter. It was as if he saw right
     through her party façade to the real longing beneath.
    “Lady Anna,” he said with a bow. “How lovely youlook tonight. I’m very glad to see you have recovered from your accident.”
    “Yes, I am quite recovered, thank you, Your Grace,” she said. She gave him a curtsy, noting how silent her flock of suitors
     suddenly became. They glared suspiciously at Adair, but they did not dare say anything to a duke. Especially a duke with a
     reputation for brawling and secret nefarious deeds.
    The silence was most refreshing.
    “Do you not dance tonight?” Adair asked.
    “Alas, no. The doctor forbade it.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been told you’re one of the finest dancers in Dublin.”
    She laughed. “I enjoy the exercise, certainly. But I have more enthusiasm than skill.”
    His brow arched. “More enthusiasm than skill, eh, Lady Anna? Well, that is easily remedied—with practice.” Somehow, she had
     the feeling he did not entirely speak of dancing.
    “We are keeping Lady Anna company this evening,” Melton suddenly said, rather pugnaciously.
    Adair merely gave him an amused look. “How fortunate for her. But it can’t be healthy for you to stay in one place, Lady Anna.
     Would you take a turn about the room with me?”
    He held out his arm, and Anna slid her fingers through the crook of his elbow. Through the silk of her glove, she felt the
     lean power of his muscles and the heat of his skin. She felt quite compelled to go with him, as if she could no more stay
     behind than she could cease breathing.
    She remembered Hades and Persephone again and wondered if this was how poor Persephone felt when shelooked up into those hellish black eyes. He was dangerous, to be sure. But he was also terribly
interesting.
When she was with him, all that numbness went away, and she felt alive. He cast a spell over her, she knew that.
    She walked off with an apologetic smile to her suitors. Adair led her along the periphery of the ballroom where the crowds
     were thinner and the air cooler. She could almost hear herself think there, despite the curious glances and sudden whispers
     they were attracting.
    “Are you really all right?” he said quietly.
    “Oh, yes. Just a few bruises. But what of you, Your Grace?”
    “Me?”
    “I’m quite sure I was not the target there on St. Stephen’s Green. I
am
rather envied for my gowns, but I doubt anyone takes a shot at a lady for such things. Except Lady Forest. I do have my suspicions
     about her.”
    His jaw tightened. “You needn’t worry about me. That will not happen again.”
    Anna froze. “You found the culprit then?”
    He didn’t answer. His gaze swept over the packed ballroom, the sparkling display of Ascendancy Society. He did not belong
     there any more than a jungle panther belonged among chattering monkeys.
    Anna wasn’t sure that she belonged there, either. There wasn’t anyplace that she really belonged.
    “Do you feel in need of some air, Lady Anna?” he said.
    “I do believe I am, Your Grace,” she answered. Never mind that it was threatening to snow outside. She would rather be anyplace
     than that ballroom with everyone watching. “But where is there to go?”
    He gave her an unreadable smile. “I know a place.”
    “Of course you do.”
    He led her out