he said, taking her hand and pressing a soft kiss to her palm.
Thank goodness! She thought he’ll never show up again to save that Rose.
“Oh, we have a lot to catch up on,” Susannah said joyfully. She could hardly hold it in. “Where have you been all these years? You look so dashing. Did you miss us back here in London? Where did you go? Did you find the kill–”
“Sh.” Leon shut her up with a finger to her lips and whispered, “We’re not supposed to discuss it out in public, remember?”
“Oh, fine,” Susannah said, stepping back to look at him. “You’re so much manlier than the last time we met.”
That brought a chuckle out of him. “I’m eight and twenty already, what do you expect?”
“Well, I’m only five and twenty,” Susannah replied with a soft laughter. “What is there to expect?”
“You’re on the brink of marriage, then.”
“Ugh! Don’t even mention it. I’ll throw myself to the rats before I even put myself through that misery,” Susannah said, turning towards Rose and his lordship.
“Who are you looking at?” asked Leon, as he followed her gaze.
“Nothing,” she said, snapping back her head. “Just checking out– ”
“Rose.”
“Yes, Rose–” Susannah caught herself and looked up at Leon again.
He was staring straight at Rose and his lordship, watching them dance and flirt around with one another.
“I’m sorry,” Susannah murmured, patting him on the shoulder.
“For what?” he asked, getting back to her. “You did nothing.”
“I couldn’t stop Rose from…you know…doing that.”\
Leon glanced back at the marquess and Rose and shrugs.
“It’s not your responsibility. She has the right to do as she wishes.”
“I guess you’re right,” Susannah murmured sadly, turning back to look at Rose, too. “But I really wish…” She turned back to Leon. “I really wish it was you and her instead of him and her.”
“Far too late,” Leon answered, smiling grimly.
“It’s not.”
“She’s married already, is she not?”
“God, no!” Susannah cried. “She’s…well…”
“Don’t say it,” Leon said, taking her arm. “Let’s go dance, for I think we had become the center of attention here.”
Susannah nodded and let Leon lead her onto the dance floor.
He smiled and set her arms around him, moving along to meet her steps.
“You’re a marvelous dancer, Mr. Heartily. I haven’t danced with you like this before.”
“Same goes to you, too.”
“So, tell me how you’ve been. I want to hear everything.”
Leon couldn’t help feeling conscious of his surroundings, especially after he spotted Rose and whoever that man was that she’s dancing with.
He hardly was paying any attention to Lady Susannah, even though he was pleased to meet her again.
He asked her for a dance so that he can look at people’s faces more clearly and see if they’re the ones he’s looking for. He didn’t actually expect it to be Susannah, but she seems to be the perfect choice at the moment. All could have been well if he hadn’t caught sight of the vixen behind them.
“Tell me how you’ve been,” Lady Susannah said again when he didn’t respond.
“Me?” His gaze snapped back to her and he cracked a smile. “I’ve been doing great. Really glad to be back in London.”
“We’re glad to have you back,” Susannah said happily. “So, where are you staying? Where are your siblings now?”
“I’ll be staying at the Duke of Hargate’s Family Inn for the time being. We’ve returned to Bridlington,” he answered.
Lady Susannah’s eyes widens in shock. “Really? You really came back to your old estate in Bridlington?”
“Yes,” Leon nodded, leaning down to her. “Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered.
“I won’t tell a soul,” she promised.
“Good. I know I can trust you.”
Leon twirled Susannah around just so he can catch another glimpse at Rose.
She looked just as breathtaking as when he left, and more womanly as Susannah had put it with him.
She was laughing and twirling in the arms of the anonymous man. She had her hair pinned up in curls about her head with a violet rose glistening to the side. Her gown was of the same matching violet velvet with a yellow silk ribbon tied in a bow around her waist. Her skin shone radiantly in the chandelier’s light and she smiled at him. It turned the inside of his heart that he had to force Susannah into another spin to get it off.
Did she recognize him, or was she smiling towards someone else?
“What’s wrong?” Susannah asked, looking him over.
“Nothing,” he answered briskly.
“It’s Rose, isn’t it?” She sighed and reached a hand to pat his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know if I should tell