Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,64
impulse.”
“Which is what?”
“To dance behind the curtain, kiss you, and dance out again with no one noticing.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Could such a thing be done?” she wondered while excitement and pure mischief soared at the possibility.
“The first part could.” His gaze rested on hers, warm and unusually intense. “Which is so desirable I don’t want to consider the inevitable discovery. I don’t know whether you’re making me staid or insane.”
“I don’t believe you can blame me for either. Though I doubt anyone would call you staid.”
Somehow, it thrilled her that he did not laugh. “It’s a bit of a novelty, this,” he observed. “Thinking ahead. Thinking of other people. I expect I’ll tire of it, soon.”
“Is that a warning?”
He considered. “Yes. But you don’t need it, do you? You think for yourself.”
“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”
A breath of laughter escaped him. “Neither am I. But God help me, I do like dancing with you.”
She smiled up at him, and his fingers tightened on hers before relaxing again. And then the music came to a close. He bowed with a flourish, and she curtseyed in the same style before taking his arm without thought.
Her mother announced the refreshments in the supper room while the musician enjoyed a rest before the final dance of the evening. Which gave Juliet an excuse to stay longer in Daniel’s company.
In the supper room, they encountered Hugh Ames, resplendent in a sky-blue waistcoat with bright yellow embroidered butterflies.
“Lady Juliet,” he beamed. “I hope I have not missed my chance of dancing with you. Have you promised the final dance?”
“Why no, not yet,”
“Then, may I?”
“Of course. I would be honored.”
“Oh, and have you met my father?” he added, indicating the older gentleman next to him who was systematically filling his plate.
“I believe we were introduced in the crush of everyone’s arrival,” Juliet said. “I hope your evening has been agreeable so far, Mr. Ames?”
“Most agreeable,” he replied, pausing to bow over his plate to her. “It is the first evening I have been able to enjoy since I arrived. I have had a terrible cold. But this is most pleasant, most pleasant indeed.” His gaze flickered over Dan. “May I help you to supper? Better still, let Hugh while I give this to my wife.”
“Oh, no, carry on, sir. I prefer to help myself, and if I can’t reach, I shall command Mr. Stewart.”
“Good luck,” Mr. Ames said vaguely.
“It always amazes me,” Dan observed as they strolled back to the drawing room with their plates, “how two such vague creatures as my aunt and uncle, could have given birth to someone as precise as Hugh.”
“Your uncle does not like you,” she observed.
“None of them ever liked me. They like me even less now I’m supposed to inherit Myerly. Except, Hugh, who is the best of them, in my opinion.”
“I danced with your other cousin. He was most amiable.”
“I’m very glad to hear it.”
Since Kitty waved to her, she went to join the group of young people surrounding her. In an informal huddle, she finally felt part of her old group of childhood friends again. But somewhere, she knew that her contentment had much to do with the man at her side.
Dan’s cousins joined them for a time, but Jeremy did not. Neither did Barden, who had not come near her again, although he did not look remotely downhearted as he sat talking to her mother, or strolled about the room with Lord Alford.
And then came the final dance, which Kitty had chosen to be a waltz, of course. She stood up first with Lawrence, and Juliet smiled to see them so happy. She gave her hand to Hugh and enjoyed the final dance of the evening. Apart from the rocky patch in the middle, with Lord Barden, it had gone so much better than she had expected.
In fact, as her gaze fell on Dan, who was clearly amusing Mrs. Coates, the vicar’s wife, with some tall tale or other, her heart filled, and she wondered if she would ever be this happy again.
“Do you know,” Hugh said, “the shade of your gown is perfect with your eyes?”
“Thank you. I have to compliment you on your stunning waistcoat.”
He smiled. “Delicious, isn’t it? I have a coat the precise shade of this yellow, but it is more suited to morning calls.”
“Then I hope you will grace us with one before you leave Myerly.”