Rhys had never been happier in his life.

For one perfect moment, he was well and truly happy. The woman he loved was smiling up at him, she was in his arms, and she would be his wife.

Then, of course, reality set in. Someone somewhere—likely his mother—instructed the musicians to start up again. The whispers around them grew into a frenzy of chatter. Much as he didn’t want to let go, it was becoming alarmingly clear that he was still holding Georgie most inappropriately in the middle of a crowded ballroom.

He set her down reluctantly, loving the way she reached for his hand the moment her toes touched the ground, as if she too were loath to break contact now that they were truly together.

Forever.

A thrill of joy rolled through him, shocking him so thoroughly, he was temporarily incapable of speech as he guided Georgie through the crowd where they might have some peace.

He needn’t have worried. He might have been speechless but Georgie was quick to fill his silence. “I cannot believe how romantic you were back there,” she gushed once they reached a relatively private corner.

All eyes were still on them but at least no one could hear them speak. Some dancing had even started up and hopefully soon they would no longer be the sole source of interest for this crowded room.

He turned to face his bride-to-be and was struck dumb all over again by her beauty and by the sweet adoration that gave her eyes the most spectacular hue. “Your eyes are so—”

“Green?” she suggested.

Oh bloody hell. Would he ever live that down? He shook his head in rueful frustration as she laughed. “What I meant was—”

She stopped him with a kiss. Apparently they were going to spend the entire evening shocking this crowd with their blatant displays of affection.

He couldn’t say that he minded, really.

The sound of a throat being cleared unnaturally loudly to their left had them breaking apart with a start.

His mother stared at them with arched brows that demanded an explanation, while Claire beamed at him from behind her with unabashed glee.

“Might I have a word, dear?” his mother said.

Claire was already at Georgie’s side and the two were laughing and squealing in a manner that was entirely unbefitting their surroundings. Still, he found himself watching Georgie with a smile he couldn’t contain.

“So, you have made your choice.” The duchess didn’t sound angry but he stiffened at her words. Reluctantly turning away from his fiancé, he faced his mother.

“I realize Georgie is not the expected choice, but I hope you will honor my decision.”

He was almost certain he caught a flicker of a smile before his mother pursed her lips. “Of course, dear. It is your decision to make, and I trust that you know what you are about.”

He gave a short nod and they both turned slightly to look over at Georgie who was talking animatedly with her sister and her friend, Mary, who had joined them.

Once again he found himself quite incapable of holding back a smile as affection surged through him at the very sight of her so full of happiness. In that moment he knew that his highest obligation, his most sacred duty would be to ensure that she was always this happy, in as much as it was his power to do so.

It was a responsibility he took very seriously.

To his mother, he said, “Georgie will make an excellent duchess, Mother.”

Georgie tipped her head back with a loud, tinkling laugh and he turned to face his mother once more. “Perhaps she will not in the traditional sense, however—”

His mother’s hand on his arm stopped him from defending his future bride any further. “I trust your judgement, dear, and I know your father did too. We’ve always trusted you to do what’s best, for this family and for the dukedom, even if those choices are…unexpected.”

Was it his imagination or was there laughter in her tone? It didn’t matter. What mattered was the pride and love in her eyes when their gazes met.

He gave a short nod of acknowledgement, another unexpected surge of emotion making it difficult to speak.

Nicholas’s sudden appearance at their side cut into the moment. “Is it true what they’re saying?” He looked askance between his mother and brother. “Did Rhys really kiss Georgie right there in front of everyone?” Now, there was no questioning the laughter that tinged Nicholas’s voice, though he also sounded disappointed. “I cannot believe I missed it.”

“It’s true!” Claire joined the conversation and soon she was recounting in vivid detail the scene that he and Georgie had just put on for the benefit of the ton.

He held back a groan as she recounted his shocking display. But then his gaze fell on his intended and he forgot all about his bruised pride or the fact that he, Rhys Galwin, Duke of Roxborough, had caused the greatest scandal of the season.

It was worth it.

He sighed at the sight of her smile when her gaze met his. Yes, she was definitely worth any scandal.

Breaking away from his family who was still discussing him with unbridled amusement, he strode over to Georgie. She stopped speaking to her friend, who turned red and stuttered a greeting as he reached their side.

He managed to give Georgie’s friend a polite greeting before turning to face her. For one blissful moment they stood there grinning at one another like a pair of fools. Then the strains of a waltz started up and he held out an arm. “May I have this dance?”

Nicholas’s voice came from behind them. “I still cannot believe it. And then he kissed her?”

Georgie beamed, her friend smirked. He gave an exasperated sigh as Georgie took his arm. “Come along, let’s leave them to their gossip.”

“With pleasure,” she laughed.

She was still laughing as he pulled her into his arms on the dancefloor. He still wasn’t overly fond of dancing but at this particular moment, he could see the appeal. It was the only socially acceptable means of holding his wife-to-be in his arms.

For the moment. Soon enough he could hold her in his arms any time he liked…and anywhere. Preferably his bed.

He tightened his grip on her. Oh bloody hell, he would never last until their wedding night.

“You look pained,” Georgie said with her typical bluntness, her brow furrowing with concern.

He let out a laugh that was indeed pained. “I am merely wishing we were alone.”

He felt the tension ease out of her as they began to dance. “Oh, is that all? I was worried that perhaps you were already having regrets.”

“Never.” He hadn’t exactly intended it to come out so forcibly but after one startled look she gave him a smile of acceptance.

“Good. I shan’t regret it either.”

He felt that pull again, the now familiar tug on his lips as her merriment affected him. “Are you sure about that? I’ve been told that I can be a pompous bore.”

She bit her lip as he quoted her words back to her. He instantly felt guilty for it as her cheeks pinkened. He’d meant to tease her not bring her shame. Georgie gave him an apologetic smile. “Whoever said that didn’t know you very well.”

He felt some of his own tension ease. He hadn’t realized quite how nervous he was that she’d feel as though she’d settled in some way. “So I’m not a pompous bore then?”

She laughed at that. “That depends, do you still believe that I make a spectacle of myself?”

He didn’t have to work hard to feign horror. He was horrified that he’d said anything so callous to his Georgie. “Whoever said that didn’t know you at all.”

She smiled as he echoed her words and a peaceful silence fell between them.

Of course, it couldn’t last.

“You were right though,” Georgie said, once again nibbling on her lip.

“About what?”

She drew in a deep breath. “I am too silly and shallow to be a duchess.”

He let out a scoffing sound. “That’s ridiculous. Duchesses come in all shapes and sizes.”

She widened her eyes in shock and he laughed before holding her even tighter. “I’m teasing, Georgie. You taught me that enjoying life is not a sin. One can be responsible and still be able to laugh at himself and the world around him.”

“I taught you that?” Georgie said. “I suppose I’m wiser than I thought.”

He laughed softly and stopped himself just in time before leaning down to kiss her. There were only so many scandalous kisses he could get away with in one evening, and he was afraid he’d already reached his limit.

Their next kiss would have to be stolen. Maybe he could sneak into her bedroom after the guests had left or maybe—

“You’ve taught me something too, you know.”

His shocked gaze met hers. “I have?”

She nodded. “I truly admire your dedication to your family and your responsibilities. I only hope I make you proud as your wife.”

“You will,” he said. “And I hope to make you happy as your husband.”

She grinned. “You will.”

“Right then,” he said. “That’s all settled.” Once more he nearly forgot himself. Gazing down into those delightful green eyes, her lips so soft and parted as though ready for his kiss…

She pushed him back gently. “Careful, Your Grace. I’m afraid we’ve already scandalized the ton and I’d rather not have my wedding day ruined by gossip about my loose morals.”

He groaned but pulled back because she was right. Looking around them he saw just how right she was. “Good God, everyone is staring again.”

She laughed softly. “They haven’t stopped staring, Rhys. Not since you first strode toward me through the ballroom like some sort of knight in shining armor.” She finished with a sigh, but he was hardly listening.

“Say it again,” he said quietly. “My name. Say it again, please.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Rhys.”

He held back another groan at the sheer pleasure of hearing her call him by his given name. It spoke of the intimacy between them now, and what was to come.

“You can’t blame them, you know,” Georgie said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Pardon?”

She nodded toward a crowd of people on the sidelines who were watching their every move as he led her around the dancefloor. “I don’t blame them for being intrigued. What you did, proposing in front of everyone like that…” She sighed dreamily. “It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen.”

The force of joy that swept through him nearly made him fall to his knees at her feet. He would have begged her to stay by his side always if she hadn’t said yes. Her power over him was complete and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He cleared his throat, which felt raw with unspoken emotion. Like years’ worth of feelings were trying to claw their way out from the cold, guarded cage where he’d been keeping them cut off from the world.

The woman who’d wrought this life-altering change in him didn’t seem to notice that he was grappling with the overwhelming force of this new all-powerful emotion. She was beaming up at him and he focused on her happiness and the joy inside him that matched it completely.

“I had no idea you could be such a romantic.” Her eyes still held a dreaminess that he would cherish to his dying day.

“Do you like it?” he teased, for the answer was obvious.

Her smile grew. “I love it.” She bit her lip and he saw a flicker of nervousness in those expressive eyes before she said quietly, “I love you.”

He groaned as he pulled her against him tightly—bystanders be damned. “Oh Georgie, I love you more than anything in the world.”

He kissed her hard and fierce, hoping to show her just how much he loved her. He pulled back too soon, aware once again of their surroundings. Besides, he’d have the rest of their lives to show her just how much she was loved.

She blinked her eyes open with a smile. If she kept smiling at him like that he wouldn’t be able to resist kissing her again, and they’d already provided quite enough fodder for the gossips.

So instead he twirled her around the dancefloor and gave her a teasing scowl. “I’m glad to hear you like this new romantic side since I blame you for it.”

She laughed as he’d hoped she would. “Oh dear. Your cranky tone makes me think that perhaps you’re not happy with your new role as society’s dashing hero.”

“I’m not,” he lied. At this particular moment he honestly couldn’t care what anyone aside from this woman thought of him. But he was having fun making her smile. “I made a fool of myself tonight.”

“Perhaps,” she said with a laugh. “But you were a fool for love. Trust me, those ladies of the list will be swooning over this for the rest of the season.”

He smiled down at her. “Well too bad for them, because this fool has found his duchess and she is far too good for some silly list.”

Her answering laughter filled his heart with happiness.

This was the sound that he hoped to hear in his house for the rest of his life.