Irene had caught him off guard with her answer, she could see that; but that would likely go away once he figured out who she was. Or perhaps she could figure out a way to escape this night without being identified by him. That would certainly solve the predicament. Irene tried to immerse herself back into the dance but her motivation was quickly dashed by a wolfish glint in his eye and his proposition.

Irene stared at him in shock, her mouth slightly agape as she processed what he’d just said. Had he realized he’d just proposed to a complete stranger? How reckless could he be? What if she was just a good actress and had truly been a debutante looking to trick a husband into marrying her? She almost jerked backwards out of his arms. “Is this something you ask all women who you dance with?” She heard herself say; outraged and gobsmacked instead of a flirtatious tone she might have adopted.

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