spoke in low tones as she captured him with a direct gaze that eliminated the suspicions he had entertained only moments before.
Ewan paused, gazing down at Grace. Her cinnamon and gold hair was twisted into some sort of fashionable confection, but he never stopped seeing the girl with the braids whenever he looked at her. Oh yes, he had been irate when she bested him that Christmas, lying to her father and effectively sentencing him to the harshest punishment he'd had in years. But that she had even done it and bested him, the Duke of Greys! That he'd never forget.
Of all the women who simpered and cooed over him, fawning and throwing themselves, she never once had batted an eyelash or given him the 'come hither' stare. It annoyed him. She had bested him and she didn't give him the time of day.
The only reason she even danced with him was because polite society demanded it. The first time he'd asked, he was sure she would turn him down. Oh, her eyes, the same color as her emerald earrings, had flashed fire. He had held his breath, half-hoping she'd give him a set down in the middle of the crowded room, and half-hoping she'd say yes and apply that passion to more worthy endeavors.
Shaking his head he stopped the thought before it grew into more than it was worth. Grace would never consider a dalliance, not even a flirtation. No, he'd best think of her in the braids. Things would be much better that way.
"I knew your vocabulary wasn't large, but I never thought you'd run out of intelligent conversation so quickly," Grace remarked, arching her eyebrow.
Ewan pulled himself from his musings concerning Grace to offer her the reply he knew she was anticipating. "Ah, well, sadly, as we've discussed, I'm not usually sought out for my intelligent conversation, but for my… other… talents."
He caressed her waist with his thumb and watched her narrow her eyes at his advances, trying to ignore the odd sensation in his chest as he tightened his hold on her.
"Ah, I'll let you keep those talents to yourself," Grace said coolly.
"Hmm, a waste on the likes of you."
"I know I should be insulted, but I find that I'm not." Grace spoke dryly.
"I could say the same," Ewan challenged, expecting Grace's offense to override her better judgment.
She replied simply, "You probably should."
He was disappointed that she hadn't taken the bait. "Touché."
The waltz came to a close, and Ewan escorted Grace to the edge of the room and back to her mother's side. He tried not to smile because her arm was stiff, radiating the hostility he'd come to expect and somehow appreciate.
He bowed to Grace's mother with practiced elegance. "Lady Jarvais, a pleasure. You grow more beautiful each time I have the delight of seeing you." Ewan leaned over to kiss the air above her hand.
"Well, Ewan, you are quite the flatterer, but please, continue." Lady Jarvais leaned forward and playfully tapped Ewan with her fan.
Grace's expression took on an exasperated grimace. It was no secret that Lady Jarvais adored him, much to Grace's chagrin. He continued to banter with her mother, leaving Grace out of the conversation simply to irritate her. How he enjoyed it, when her green eyes would narrow and the hostility rolled off her! Though he knew he was far too old for such childish impulses, he found he couldn't help himself. He doubted Grace was truly resentful of his friendship with her family; he simply assumed it was because he'd often used it as a lad to worm his way out of trouble.
"Alas, your daughter doesn't find my company nearly as charming as you do. I'm afraid I'll never recover from her sharp tongue." He tilted his head slightly and winked at Grace, causing her to narrow her eyes.
"Grace! Where are your manners? Why would you speak harshly to Ewan? Why, he's one of your oldest friends." Lady Jarvais gently scolded Grace, just as Ewan had hoped. The carefully contained fury on Grace's face was worth the tongue-lashing he'd surely receive later.
****
"Mother," Grace started and then closed her eyes, collecting herself before she spoke without thinking. As she opened her eyes to reply, she turned her head and stopped, noticing the gentleman that had just entered the growing crowd.
Light blond hair and dark brown eyes focused on her, and he smiled, revealing straight white teeth. Tilting her head, Grace gave herself the luxury of taking in his dress, the sculpting