Alyssa observed His Grace walk to an unoccupied corner of the ballroom with the Marquess of Wyndham. They didn’t speak long, nor did they seem happy when they parted. It was apparent that they’d argued, and she was certain that she’d been the object of their confrontation.

Pangs of guilt stabbed through her. She couldn’t allow this.

“I apologize for taking so long, my lady.” The Duke of Townsend handed her one of the glasses. “But I ran into a friend.”

She took the glass from his hand. “Yes, I saw you with Lord Wyndham. And if I’m not mistaken, there are several other acquaintances of yours who would like to have a moment of your time. Instead, you have stayed at my side all evening.”

“Perhaps I enjoy your company.”

“As I enjoy yours, Your Grace.” She forced a smile. “But I would appreciate it if you would allow me to fight this battle on my own. Please, leave me and visit with the friends you’ve ignored all evening.”

She kept a smile on her face, and prayed he believed her sincerity.

“And if I prefer to remain in your company?”

“Watching over me isn’t necessary, Your Grace. I need to do this on my own. With you standing guard over me, I won’t have the chance to prove that I’m here because I am innocent of what Society believes I did.”

“Perhaps my association with you will help,” His Grace said.

Alyssa knew him well enough by now to know how difficult it would be for him to stand by and watch Society attack her with their vicious barbs and accusations.

“It won’t, Your Grace. It will only delay the battle I must fight.”

“Perhaps then, I can help you fight your battle,” an unfamiliar voice said from behind her.

Alyssa turned to face several people who’d gathered near her.

“Your Grace,” the man nearest her said in greeting. “Lady Lindleigh.”

Alyssa’s heart raced. She tried to prepare herself for the next insults she would have to endure. But the man’s next words weren’t hostile. Nor was the tone of his voice antagonistic. He’d offered to help her. She was sure that’s what he’d said.

“Lord Wyndham,” she greeted. “Lady Wyndham.”

Alyssa smiled.

Lady Wyndham returned her smile.

Alyssa fought tears. She’d prayed for a hint of acceptance. But this was more than she’d hoped for. The Marquess of Wyndham and Lady Wyndham were highly respected members of the ton. If they accepted her, then maybe…

The Marquess of Wyndham spoke first. “Allow me to introduce my sister and her husband, William and Constance Maxwell, the Earl and Countess of Brighton. Brighton. Constance. May I present the Duke of Townsend? And Lady Lindleigh.”

Townsend bowed respectfully.

Alyssa smiled, then nodded. “Lord Brighton. Lady Brighton.”

“Your Grace.” Lady Brighton curtsied. “Lady Lindleigh.” Lady Brighton curtsied again, only not as deeply.

“I would like to compliment you on your courage, Lady Lindleigh,” the Marquess of Wyndham said. “I know how difficult it must be for you to face the lions of the ton each night. I must apologize for not stepping forward sooner to assist you in your endeavor. It took the wisdom of a good friend to point out my error.”

“I must also apologize,” Lady Wyndham said, reaching for Alyssa’s hand and squeezing her fingers. “It was unconscionable of me.”

“Thank you,” Alyssa said, blinking back the tears that wanted to spill down her cheeks.

“Now, you need to get better acquainted with Wyndham’s sister,” Lady Wyndham said, bringing her sister-in-law into a circle that separated the women from the men. “She had her come-out last Season, but you were in mourning, so were unable to make her acquaintance. She met Brighton at the first event of the Season, and had eyes for no one else. She had plenty of suitors vying for her attention,” Lady Wyndham teased, “but none of them had a chance to capture her heart once she met Brighton.”

“You must admit,” Lady Brighton said, softly enough not to be overheard by her husband, “that none of my suitors were half as perfect as my Brighton.”

Alyssa and Lady Wyndham exchanged amused glances. “Ah, young love,” Lady Wyndham said.

Before they could tease Lady Brighton about having stars in her eyes, they were joined by the Earl of Charring and his wife, Lady Charring. Lord Charring seemed to be a close friend of Lord Wyndham’s, and the conversation passed easily from one topic to another.

“Lady Charring informed me earlier this evening that we have plans to attend the opera tomorrow night,” the earl said. “Would you do me the honor of suffering through the evening with me?”

“Charring,” Lady Charring said. “You make it sound as if I am forcing you to go. You know you have been as anxious as I to attend.”

“I stand corrected, my lady,” Charring said with a grin in his wife’s direction. “I am quite eager to attend the opera. I haven’t been in a while. And I am serious about the invitation. Lady Charring and I appreciate your company. And perhaps a late dinner afterwards at our town house?”

Everyone readily agreed. Alyssa blinked rapidly, then shifted her gaze to meet Townsend’s. She wanted to tell him that he wasn’t obligated to accept Lord Charring’s invitation. It was one thing to befriend her at social functions. It was another entirely, to openly escort her to the opera. There wasn’t a more certain way to start rumors that would not be to his benefit than to be seen together at the opera.

She opened her mouth to inform Lord Charring that she already had an engagement and must therefore decline his invitation, when the Duke of Townsend spoke.

“It would be my pleasure, Charring. And Lady Lindleigh’s.”

“Wonderful,” Lady Charring said, then changed the topic to a rumor she’d heard that the Viscountess Enderly was in a family way again. All the women in the group hoped that this time the babe would be a girl, since Lady Enderly dearly wanted a daughter to go with the five sons she’d presented her husband.

Before they moved on to the next topic, the Earl of Brighton interrupted to ask his wife to dance since the orchestra was playing a waltz. Lord and Lady Wyndham joined them, as did Lord and Lady Charring. Alyssa watched the couples walk to the dance floor with a pang of longing.

“Would you care to dance, my lady? Or would you rather step out outside for a breath of air.”

Alyssa lifted her gaze and focused on the intense look in the Duke of Townsend’s eyes. Although she would enjoy nothing more at the moment than to join the other couples on the dance floor, such a move would only further any speculation concerning a relationship between the Duke of Townsend and herself.

She knew at the moment, having just turned this corner with Society, she would be unable to keep the joy from her face. Dancing with a giddy woman would surely invite rumor, none of which this good man deserved. “Thank you, Your Grace. A breath of fresh air sounds ideal.”

Alyssa placed her hand atop the Duke of Townsend’s arm and walked with him out the nearest set of doors. The magnitude of what had happened tonight hit her the moment she was out of sight of any observers.

Several important members of the ton had defied the rumors attached to her and had approached her.

Her legs trembled beneath her and she hooked her arm through the bend in the duke’s arm and held on to him to keep steady. Before she could blink them away, her eyes filled with tears that spilled down her cheeks in rivers of emotion.

“Thank you,” she whispered through her tears.

“You have nothing for which to thank me,” he answered, but she knew she did. The Marquess of Wyndham and the Duke of Townsend had been friends for years. Although their wives had never formed a close association, the two men were both leaders in the House, as well as partners in several business ventures. Alyssa’s deceased husband had been a partner in one of their businesses as well.

“I’ve prayed for so long for what happened tonight. I prayed that if I continued to brave Society’s disdain long enough, eventually one courageous person would speak to me. Tonight that happened. And not just one person approached me and spoke to me, but several. Several well-respected members of Society.”

She turned to face him. She knew she must look a fright. Knew that her eyes were puffy from her tears. Knew that her nose must be red and her cheeks flushed. But she didn’t care. She owed him for what he’d done.

“I can’t prove that you asked Lord Wyndham to befriend me. Just as I know you wouldn’t admit your involvement if I did ask. But I have no doubt that you did.”

“You are giving me too much credit, my lady. I hardly deserve the praise you’re lavishing upon me. I—”

“You approached me the first night I came to a ball, when no one else would even look at me.”

“And was rude to you after.”

“Then, you dared to dance with me when everyone in the room gave me their backs.”

“And I said horrible things to you afterward.”

“And you called on me the next day because you believed me when I said I was innocent of Kendrick’s death.”

“Perhaps because I know more about the courage it takes to survive a scandal than you realize.”

Alyssa didn’t know what scandal His Grace was referring to, but it didn’t matter. She would be eternally grateful that he had believed her.

“I have even been asked to attend the opera tomorrow night.” Fresh tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe this is finally over.”

The Duke of Townsend took a fresh handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away another tear that spilled from her eyes. As he dabbed at her cheek, another couple stepped out onto the terrace. His Grace looped her arm through the bend at his elbow and ushered her from the terrace and down a path.

Colored lanterns lit the path so they weren’t completely in the dark. But the lights weren’t so bright that they could see more than a few feet on either side of them. When they reached a small pond in the center of the garden he stopped. There was a bench nearby and they sat.

“What are your plans now that you are on your way to being accepted by Society?” he asked.

“I intend to find my husband’s murderers.” She turned her gaze. “Have you discovered anything?”

“Perhaps,” he answered. “But I have some information I need to ascertain before I will know anything definite. Nick Stillman has agreed to meet me tomorrow to see what we can find out.”

“Will you be safe?” Alyssa thought of what had happened to her husband and she was filled with fear. “Perhaps you should not put yourself in danger.”

His Grace shook his head. “I won’t be in danger. I promise.”

“You don’t know that. Besides, you’ve done more than you needed to. I can’t ask you to do more.”

“You aren’t asking, Alyssa. I’m volunteering.”

Alyssa lifted her gaze and looked into His Grace’s eyes. He’d called her by her Christian name. And his dark gaze didn’t leave hers.

“Your Grace…”

“Edward. My name’s Edward.”

“Edward,” she whispered as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Alyssa’s first reaction was one of surprise, but any alarm she might have felt quickly changed to pleasure.

Kendrick hadn’t been an overly demonstrative person, and was never one to exhibit an outward display of passion. Even when he had, his kisses hadn’t been like this.

The Duke of Townsend kissed her with an expertise that belied his austere demeanor. And yet, not so different than the man he was.

He moved his lips over hers as if it was important to learn everything about her. As if he wanted to show her a part of himself he seldom exposed. And yet, his kisses revealed characteristics that she already knew: That he exhibited a strength that few other men possessed. That he was a dominant force, a force with whom to be reckoned.

His lips were warm and firm, yet soft and commanding. He lifted his mouth from hers for a moment, as if he needed to catch his breath. Then brought his lips back down over hers and deepened his kiss. His tongue skimmed along the seam of her lips as an encouragement for her to open for him.

She had never kissed Kendrick like this. He had never asked her to. But Edward’s insistence was more than a request. Without asking, he was giving her the opportunity to accept or reject him. To tell him whether or not she would allow him into her life.

If she refused his entreaty, he would give up his pursuit. She had the option now of telling him if she agreed to any further emotional commitment.

Alyssa hesitated, then skimmed her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck…and opened to him.

He accepted her decision as a victor accepts the spoils of war. He opened his lips above hers and deepened his kiss.

The emotions that surged within her caused her legs to weaken.

As if he realized the effect he had on her, he tightened his hold and brought her closer to him. He kissed her again, then again for even longer before he lifted his mouth from hers.

Alyssa tried to catch her breath, but his kisses had stolen the air from her lungs. Every bone in her body was weak. She imagined herself a puppet unable to stand without the puppeteer holding her up.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. The rapid thundering of his heart echoed beneath her ear.

For several long moments they didn’t speak. It was as if they couldn’t. And even if they had been able, they were at a loss as to what to say.

What was an adequate response to the way he’d kissed her? To the degree his kisses had affected her? How could she explain the eagerness with which she’d accepted his demands? Or the willingness with which she’d answered them?

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Alyssa was struck by his concern. By his interest in her wellbeing. She answered by nodding.

“I’ll not apologize,” he said. “I’m not a randy schoolboy who acted impulsively. I knew what I was doing, and I don’t regret what happened. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Alyssa lifted her gaze to look him in the eyes. “And I’ll not ask for an apology. I’m not a naïve young miss who allows herself to be taken advantage of. Like you, I knew what I was doing, and I take full responsibility for what I allowed.”

Edward lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then offered her his arm.

Alyssa looped her arm through the crook of his elbow and walked with him into the ballroom.

For the first time in more than a year, she felt as if her world had righted.