#regency?

“You don’t have to do this, Your Grace,” Jaskier smiled sadly. He finally recognized the mystery guest as one of his father’s invitees; Duke Geralt de Riv of the House of Kaer Morhen. “You can dance with one of my sisters. I understand that my presence here was allowed out of politeness, Your Grace.”

“I want to dance with you,” the young Duke insisted, holding out his hand. “And you can call me Geralt.”

---

Jaskier was breathless, glad that Geralt’s arm was still strong and firm against his lower back to help him stay standing. “You’ve practiced more than I!” the Duke laughed, swirling Jaskier through the air as easily as if he were a lady.

“I have very little else to do except study and compose,” the Viscount giggled, settling back onto his feet. The Duke escorted Jaskier quietly from the room and out onto one of the many spacious balconies surrounding the ballroom. 

“When the stars have left the sky for the evening,” the Duke began, quiet and rumbling, “Will we be parting ways as well?”

“I suppose that all depends on you, Your Grace,” Jaskier smiled up through his lashes. “You’d have to make arrangements with my father if you wish to see me again.”

“We’ll need a chaperone,” Geralt agreed understandingly. The true meaning behind the words hit Jaskier somewhere funny and he blushed furiously. A chaperone? Those were for courting couples...

“Y...Your Grace?”

“Call me Geralt, please,” the young Duke pled, eyes searching Jaskier’s. “I had wondered if you... Well, when our parents introduced us I had rather hoped you would...”

Jaskier waited patiently but the Duke appeared to be out of words.

“I like you too,” the younger man whispered. Like it was a secret for just the two of them. “You’re an excellent dancer, you’re wittier than any of my cousins or friends, and your commentary on my mother’s dancing will have me in peals of laughter for weeks to come. I would be honored to accept a suit, Geralt, if that’s what you wish to speak with Father about.”

The Duke released a long, happy sigh and pulled Jaskier as close to his side as propriety allowed. “I shall write in the morning.”