Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

G emma rolled her eyes. She should have known Mary wouldn’t have understood how such things worked. She would just have to explain it to her pea-sized brain. “I cannot control other people ,” Gemma elucidated slowly as if speaking to a child. “Grovemont hasn’t danced with anyone . He hasn’t even been seen in public until tonight. He’s been in mourning for his mother.”

“I know that, of course,” Mary retorted, smugness oozing from every pore. “But that’s hardly my problem. It’s yours now.”

Gemma shook her head. Of course, Mary didn’t care that the poor Duke of Grovemont was no doubt still sad about his dead mother. She was truly awful. She’d clearly only chosen the dare because she knew it was impossible to win. “Look, I assumed you would ask me to do something embarrassing or outlandish. What if I ask him to dance with me ? Won’t it be enough that he’s certain to refuse?”

Gemma expelled her breath in frustration. Did Gemma truly have to explain to this girl how to use her offer against her? You’d think a young woman as well-versed in terrorizing others as Mary would have already puzzled out such details. But it seemed that in addition to being a nasty bit of baggage, Mary was also a dullard. The nastiest people always were, weren’t they?

Mary pursed her lips and contemplated this new bit of information for a moment. “But I want to dance with him.” She stamped her foot. “What would I get out of making you ask him to dance?”

“The pleasure of seeing me embarrassed when he rejects me?” Gemma offered, blinking at her rapidly and giving her a tight smile. Lord save her from dolts.

Mary tapped at her chin for a few moments before another catlike smile popped to her pinched face. “Hmm. Perhaps I was too hasty,” she finally said. “You’re right. Grovemont hasn’t asked any of the debutantes to dance last Season or this one. There’s no chance he’ll dance with you. Seeing you humiliated shall be quite entertaining. Very well. I dare you to ask him to dance.” She emitted another nasty little laugh.

Gemma expelled her breath. Honestly, that had been far too simple. So simple she didn’t trust the offer one whit. She’d do it, of course. But first, she needed Lady Mary’s word, whatever that was worth.

“Let me ensure I have the right of it,” Gemma said, tugging at her naked earlobe. Much to her mother’s dismay, she refused to wear earbobs. They made her ears ache, and she was forever worried she’d lose one of them. “If I ask Grovemont to dance, regardless of whether he agrees, you give your word that you’ll leave all the other girls alone for the rest of the evening?”

“Yes,” Mary replied far too quickly.

“You’ll allow them to dance with whomever they please and say nothing to any of them?” Gemma further clarified, her gaze still narrowed on Mary.

“Yes,” Mary said more slowly this time, her pale-blue eyes gleaming. “You have my word .”

“Very well.” Gemma nodded and promptly turned to search the large crowd for the Duke of Grovemont. Frankly, the offer seemed far too good to be true. All Gemma had to do was ask the man to dance? Easy enough. A bit unconventional, of course, but certainly not unheard of. Grovemont would no doubt quickly decline, Gemma would thank him for his time, and that would be the end of it. Mama wouldn’t like it if she got wind of it, but she would understand once Gemma explained the situation. Probably.

Honestly, the request seemed entirely too easy. Only Mary was too senseless to know that asking Grovemont to dance, and even being turned down by him, wouldn’t bother Gemma one whit. What did she care if some arrogant duke with more money than sense refused to dance with her? Mary had made a classic mistake. She’d assumed the thing that would mortify her would also mortify her opponent. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Gemma completed her search of the ballroom. “I don’t see him.”

Mary stamped her foot again and scowled. She, too, was searching the crowd. “Where did he go? I had my eye on him until you came traipsing over with your silly offer.”

“Don’t worry,” Gemma said, rolling her eyes again. “I’ll find him. But do keep an eye out. I have no intention of having to prove to you that I’ve asked him to dance. And I’m only going to do it once. So pay attention.”

“Oh, I’ll be watching,” Mary confirmed. Her catty smile had transformed into more of a crocodile’s, all gaping lips and far too many visible teeth.

Gemma distinctly disliked the young woman’s tone. But no matter. It would be well worth enduring Mary’s gloating if she would leave Gemma’s friends alone to enjoy the rest of wedding ball. Without another word, Gemma lifted her skirts and took off in the direction of the wedding party. Someone there had to know where the Duke of Grovemont had got off to.