He saw the Duke first and, as his hold relaxed, Anita fought herself free of him.
Then, as she saw who stood there, she ran instinctively towards the Duke, to hold onto him as if he was a lifeline and she was drowning.
He could feel her trembling against him, but he did not put his arms round her, he merely looked over her head at Lord Greshame, who appeared to be somewhat abashed.
Then the Duke said quietly,
“My mother is asking for you, Anita.”
She did not answer, she merely moved away from him without looking up and he could hear her footsteps running over the marble floor towards the door.
There was an uncomfortable silence until the Duke remarked,
“Cradle snatching, George?”
Lord Greshame pulled the lapels of his evening coat into place.
“A pretty little thing,” he replied, “
