A Duke in Danger by Barbara Cartland

else. You must be aware how ... ignorant I am of the ... Social World.”
    “It consists of people,” the Duke replied with a smile, “people like you and me, Alvina, and they are not really a race apart, whatever you may have heard about them.”
    As he spoke, he thought that was not quite true. No-one could be more different from the people in the cottages and the villages, who he had realised today almost worshipped Alvina, then the gay, irresponsible Beau Monde, who were selfish, extravagant, and concerned only with their incessant search for amusement.
    They would merely find Alvina a badly dressed country girl.
    Because the Duke had spent what free time he had with the most exquisitely gowned Beauties in every Capital he had visited, he was well aware how important clothes were to women.
    He said now to Alvina:
    “You will have to go to London for one thing, if nothing else—to buy yourself new clothes.”
    He spoke without thinking that it might sound an insult, and seeing a flush appear on Alvina’s face he added:
    “Perhaps I should have told you before that you are very lovely, but even the most beautiful picture needs the right frame to show it off.”
    “I have a feeling,” Alvina said slowly, “that you are flattering me to get your own way. I am not used to compliments and so I am suspicious of them. Although I would love some new clothes, I am afraid if I move away from here you will never let me come back.”
    She spoke lightly, the Duke was aware, but there was undoubtedly a quiver of fear beneath the surface.
    “I promise you,” he said quickly, “that the Castle is your home for as long as you wish to stay here.”
    “If you ... marry ... what then?”
    “I have no intention of marrying,” the Duke said almost irritably. “At least not for a very long time.”
    “But you will have to, otherwise Cousin Jason will know he has a chance of taking your place.”
    “I will deal with Jason myself when I reach London,” the Duke said, “and there is no need for you to worry about him any longer.”
    He spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice, then in a different tone he said:
    “For God’s sake, stop thinking of everyone but yourself. You have done that for far too long. I can assure you it is quite unnatural for a pretty and very attractive young woman.”
    He saw the colour come into her cheeks from his compliment, and she turned away to say almost obstinately:
    “I do not ... wish to go to ... London.”
    “That is what you are going to do,” the Duke said. “I suppose you realise that now that your father is dead, I am not only head of the family but also your Guardian, and you have to obey me.”
    She turned to look at him, and now there was a hint of mischief in her eyes as she said:
    “And if I do ... not?”
    “Then I shall think of some horrendous punishment which will bring you to heel.”
    “And what will that be?”
    “I cannot think for the moment,” the Duke replied, “but perhaps I shall cancel the horses I intended to buy at Tattersall’s for you to ride, or perhaps, worse, I will forget my plans for the Ball I want to give here in the Castle to introduce not only you to the County and to my friends from London but also myself.”
    “A Ball?” Alvina repeated almost stupidly.
    “A Ball,” the Duke said firmly. “And one thing is very important, Alvina, and that is that you should learn to dance gracefully the new waltz which was introduced to London by the Princess de Lieven.”
    Alvina came from the window to sit down opposite him on the sofa.
    “Did you ... really say a ... Ball?” she asked. “I think I am ... dreaming.”
    “I have every intention of celebrating my home-coming in a spectacular manner.”
    Actually he had not thought of it until that moment, but he knew that was much the best way to get Alvina involved in the world that he knew was waiting for her outside the Castle after the years of what was virtually imprisonment.
    “I would never