The Duke's Blind Temptation by Paige Cameron Page B

country quartet tuned their instruments. Ellie hurried upstairs after dinner to check her appearance and collect herself. She stood at the window imagining what might be happening at Rafe’s hunting lodge. As far as she knew, his parents were still in residence. She hadn’t overheard any further conversations regarding Rafe and had decided she’d best not ask questions.
    Her mother stepped into Ellie’s room. “Ellie, what are you doing upstairs? The musicians are ready to start playing. Lord Marshall asked me about you. I assured him you would be right down.”
    “I will be, Mama.”
    “Whatever is the matter? You haven’t been yourself these past few weeks.”
    “Deciding on the man I’m to spend the rest of my life with is a very serious matter, Mama. I have been pondering my future.”
    “Good. It’s time you married. Although, you’ve shown no particular preference for any of the young men that have been interested in you in the past. Both your sisters have made advantageous marriages. As I told you the other day, I expect no less from you.”
    Ellie gathered her silk shawl tight around her shoulders. “I’m ready. Let’s go find me a proper husband.” If her mother noticed the cynical tone in her daughter’s voice, she ignored it.
    Feet dragging, Ellie followed her mother downstairs. Lord Harvey Marshall stood at the bottom, a smile on his round face. He was a cheerful sort, liked by his male friends and viewed as a nice man by the ladies. His brown hair had begun to thin on top, and Ellie noted the beginning of a paunch. He’d make her a dependable husband.
    “May I have this dance, Miss Upton?” Lord Marshall bowed.
    She curtsied, took his arm, and they entered the crowded ballroom that had been decorated with fragrant flowers and numerous candles. Couples had begun to arrange themselves in sets around the dance floor. Ellie smiled at familiar faces and took her place across from Lord Marshall.
    Lord Turner nodded to her from farther down the row. This promised to be a trying night. Pasting a smile on her face, she stepped forward to the music.
       
    * * * *

    “Son, I really do not believe you are recovered enough to go to a country ball,” the duke reiterated for the fourth or fifth time. “Your neighbors will certainly understand your not attending.”
    “I’m fine, father. I hope you and Mother will come with me. I overheard Baron Upton inviting you the other day.”
    “Why is this so important?”
    “This is my first outing after regaining my sight. I can face all the curious at one time and get it over with.”
    And see Ellie.
    She hadn’t been able to visit, not with his parents in residence. He thought about her every day. The feel and taste of her haunted him. Were there any consequences to their actions? He needed—no, he wanted—to know.
    His eyesight continued to improve and was now as good as ever. He’d hoped she would send him a message, but knew that wasn’t possible, either. Tonight, he intended to see her and talk with her.
    “Booth, you make a fine valet,” Rafe said as he studied himself in the mirror.
    The last week he’d spent much time outdoors, and his paleness had been replaced by tanned skin which the whiteness of his cravat intensified. His coat and trousers were a hunter’s green and his vest white with gold thread. Tonight, he appeared every inch the duke’s heir.
    “If you insist on going, then your mother and I will accompany you. She thought I’d not be able to dissuade you. I’m sure she’s almost ready. Let’s go downstairs and have a glass of brandy while we wait.”
    “We’ve missed dinner,” Rafe said as they stood in his study. “If we don’t hurry we’ll miss a good part of the dance also.”
    “I shan’t keep you waiting.” His stepmother smiled from the doorway. “I’m ready.”
      
    * * * *

    Ellie hid behind a large fern and fanned herself. Lord Marshall and Turner had kept her dancing every set. Lord Turner had gone