nothing for her. Marissa’s hand had been warmth. The moment his lips touched hers had sent… something through him. The girl’s eyes widened, and he smiled at her. Her cheeks flushed, but then it was warm. The set wound down, and he bowed over her hand, kissing the air above it. For some reason, he had no desire to touch his lips to any other woman. The girl gave a pretty curtsy.
“I would ask for another dance, but duty demands otherwise.” He released her, taking a step backward.
“Perhaps later.” Her voice had a high, nasal sound to it.
“It would be a pleasure.” He bowed again and turned with a sigh. A paragon of a woman already headed in his direction, daughter in tow. He pasted a smile on his face and went to meet her.
The orchestra drew the final chord as long as it could, but Robert was compelled to hand his dance partner to the next victim on her list. His trampled toe throbbed, but his attention lingered still on thoughts of Marissa. Although the kiss had happened by accident, he couldn’t forget. It wasn’t that his partners so far were limpid and dull, but none compared to his feisty young stepsister. None made him want to forget her. What was Father thinking, demanding he end his bachelor days and choose a wife? He’d be turning twenty-three in a few months. He wasn’t ready for a serious relationship, and if his reaction to a simple kiss with Marissa caused such fervor within him, perhaps he needed time to consider her more than friend.
A moment of despair threatened to overwhelm him, but then a spark in his periphery captured his attention. The air itself changed, luring him to turn, earnestly gazing through the melee. His attention settled on a demure young woman conversing with an older gentleman. Her simple-cut gown shimmered like the palest blue snow flowers. Blond hair curled down her back. It seemed the most natural thing in the world for him to walk to her side and hold out his hand in invitation. Luminous blue eyes looked up at him, surprise gracing her lovely face. Then she smiled. His thoughts vanished. He was a moth drawn to her light. When her hand touched his, the noise of the ballroom melted away.
They danced. This wasn’t the graceful banter he enjoyed with Marissa. This dance took his breath away and left him wondering if heaven were anything more than this moment. No words passed between them, but their eyes held. He couldn’t turn from her. He didn’t want to. The orchestra ended one set and began another. Still they danced.
Minutes, maybe hours passed. A final chord of music resonated through the air. Robert slowed to a stop. One of his hands rested at her side, the other held hers. Her warm skin caused him to tingle. They kept an appropriate distance between them, but he wanted to pull her closer. He wanted to drown in the blue of her eyes. How had his thoughts been turned so quickly from Marissa? He tried to back up a step but couldn’t make his feet move. She blinked, a nervous laugh breaking the spell. Breath moved into his lungs.
“My lord.”
Her voice had a musical essence. Others wandered around them, but he didn’t give them attention. His focus remained on her. “My name is Robert.” Was that his voice?
Her eyes widened, a look of surprise glittering in the blue. “Robert. Prince, I don’t know what happened.”
He laughed, the same overwhelming sense he experienced. “We danced.”
She withdrew her hand from his and pulled out a fan, waving it toward her face. The movement of air caused her scent to drift across him. “Yes, that I noticed.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“Water, please. And air.”
He turned her to the right, nodding at the open doors. “Wait on the terrace, I will meet you there.” He bowed over her hand, holding it a moment longer than necessary. He wanted to lift her hand to his lips, wondering if her skin were as delicate as it seemed, but he released her.
The full rush of the crowded ballroom washed over him as he forced himself from her side, increasing his sense of loss. His thoughts poured over her as he strode to the closest servant. How was it possible such a woman existed? Had his father known this would happen? She was beautiful yet innocent. Would she be waiting for him on the balcony or would she disappear as