Author's note: This is a build-up to the hot & heavy stuff, so bear with me on this one. Comments are much appreciated and happy reading!
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Jason Cartwright, Marquess of Fords eyed the ballroom wearily. Every matchmaking mama and their daughters were staring at him like he was a sweetmeat to be bought in a shop. He arched his eyebrow at his father, the Duke of Delaford.
"You said this was a small affair."
The duke, a tall man with a full head of white hair cleared his throat. "This is a small affair."
"Of course, forgive me." Jason answered sarcastically. "Three hundred people is small for a London ball."
The resemblance between father and son was unmistakable. Both were well over six feet tall, athletically thin and possessed the same square jaw lines and straight, patrician noses. Jason's dark blond hair was slicked back and his dark blue eyes darted from one young woman to another, failing to notice that every female he made unintentional eye contact with threatened to faint from anticipation.
As the one to inherit the lofty title of duke when his father passes away, the Marquess also possessed unimaginable wealth. Every unwed female in the room was aware of this and several young debutantes flashed practiced smiled in his direction when he glanced at them. By god, he'd only been here five minutes and already they marked him as bait.
"I will only stay the length of time that's expected of me."
The duke turned to him. "You will stay long enough to meet your affianced and dance with her."
Ah, yes. His betrothed. Jason searched the room, expecting to see her among the groups of the other debutantes. How long had it been since he'd seen her? Nine -- no, ten years. She'd been a mere ten years old when he last saw her as a mere boy of twelve. His memories of her were vague, mostly of a scrawny little girl with raven black hair and an impish face.
"Pray, tell me she has grown into a tolerable young woman and not one of these simpering misses." Jason said in a low voice.
"She is an exceptional young woman with a quick mind and even temper." His father assured him. The music started, a flowing piece of violins and flutes that had couples joining on the dance floor. His father chuckled and clapped him on the back.
"You will be breaking hundreds of hearts when they all find out you are engaged."
"If only that were true. It will become common knowledge that our betrothal was made when we were children. Young ladies now are cleverer. They think such things can be broken if they make the men fall in love with them. Brandon had been betrothed. And look at him now." Jason was referring to one of his closest friends, who'd also been betrothed from childhood, only to find himself in love and married to his former upstairs maid.