Three weeks after the encounter with Holloway, Heather attended a ball at the Lockwoods, escorted by her brother, who was giving her lecherous looks most of the night.
Heather had dressed carefully and intended to find her next conquest that night. Her dress was made from yards of emerald green velvet, with an elegant bustle in the back and long fitted sleeves. She was wearing white gloves, and the neckline showed plenty of cleavage, and was set off by an emerald necklace. Emeralds sparkled at her ears.
She was swept into a dance by a man she did not know and who did not ask for the honor. She was momentarily flustered, but he was an excellent dancer with a dazzling smile.
"I have been watching you all evening, Heather," he said in a deep voice.
"Who are you, sir?"
"I am the Duke of Ridgeley, Cameron Northleigh."
Heather was shocked. The Duke of Ridgeley was married to the most beautiful woman in all of London. Ginger Hamilton-Northleigh, the Duchess of Ridgeley, although beautiful, was in very fragile health and had been pregnant, the last Heather heard.
"Where is your wife, sir?"
