tonight.”
“Ah, you wound me, angel. How could you have forgotten our dance so quickly?”
“I believe I may have already promised another,” she said, quickly turning on her heel as if to get away from him.
He reached out and clasped her arm. “I believe you are mistaken. This is unquestionably our dance.” Pulling her closer, he whispered, “Do not make a scene.”
“Why are you doing this? It is highly irregular.”
“I need to speak with you, and dancing is the safest option for us both.”
She turned and gave him a hard glare. “Why?”
“Dance with me and find out.”
“Very well,” she conceded with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
He drew her near and inhaled the scent of lavender on her skin. Unfortunately, he realized this was a country dance and not a waltz as he had hoped. Miss Drake lined up across from him and gave him a quick curtsy as the music began. She wore a very pale pink satin gown with silver embroidery on the bodice. For some reason, it made her seem even more petite and innocent than usual.
A sense of protectiveness overcame him.
He shook off the feeling as quickly as it had come over him. He wasn’t a gentleman to care about what ladies of the ton did. So why did Emma’s speaking with Simpson bother him? He could have just as easily given the account of her dancing with Simpson to Harry and Louisa to let them handle the situation. But he felt the urge to warn her himself, even if he didn’t completely understand why.
With no chance of speaking until they could get close, he concentrated on watching the other dancers farther up the line. He had no wish to embarrass her with his clumsy steps.
As they came together, he commented, “How exactly are you acquainted with Mr. Simpson?”
Her eyes widened as they circled each other and then narrowed. “I met him this evening.”
“Odd,” he replied. “So, how exactly do you know him?”
“Why do you ask?”
They moved back to their position in line, forcing him to remain silent again. These damned dances created so little time for conversation. It wasn’t as if he could take Emma to a room for a quick private chat. Finally, they came together again.
“The man is a reprobate. I cannot believe anyone of your acquaintance would even introduce you to him.”
Miss Drake tilted her head and leveled a smug, little smile at him. “I introduced myself to him.”
Simon almost stumbled but recovered quickly. “You what?”
“Hush,” she scolded as they moved back in the line across from him. She glared over at him. “I would be much obliged if you would keep this quiet.”
What the bloody hell was she up to? No lady introduced herself to any man. Those rules were in place to keep a woman safe from the undesirable men of the world. This dance was taking far too long, in his opinion.
“Do you have any idea what you have done?” he asked as they met in the middle of the dance floor.
“Oh?” she innocently. “Should I not have spoken to Mr. Simpson? He seemed like a lovely gentleman with excellent manners. More a gentleman than you.”
“You know better than that. Why would you take such a chance with your reputation?”
“You mean the reputation my sisters ruined?” She moved away from him in lithe movements.
Thankfully, he would have one more chance to speak with her again before the dance ended. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited. She continued to glare over at him as if just as eager to finish the dance. He marched into the middle of the dance floor as the time came to complete their steps.
“Mr. Kingsley, I do wonder why you have taken such an interest in me and my reputation.”
“I am only concerned because your sister is my sister-in-law. I should hate to see you ruin your good name.”
“Half-sister-in-law to be precise.” She circled him. “And my good name?” she whispered harshly, close to his ear. “I have no good name any longer, thanks to my sisters.”
She returned to her position across from him. Once the rest of the line finished, she curtsied and walked away without another word.
Simon watched her in amazement. She had spurned him in the middle of the set. The perfect Miss Drake. Slowly his lips turned upward. The audacity of the woman astounded him. The few interactions he’d had with over the past year never alluded to such a fire in her. She normally blushed and stammered a