look had. Rebelliously, she wanted this man to look at her there.
Georgina came closer, holding her shoulders back so he couldn't avoid seeing what she displayed. Never in her life had she behaved like this, but she knew exactly how it was done. She touched his arm and felt the slight jerk of shock beneath her fingers.
"I thought you had forgotten me." She made her voice whisper like the breeze through the trees, and she read its effect on his mobile face.
Daniel didn't answer immediately. Instead he studied her, deliberately resting his gaze on the line of lace caressing her breasts before traveling downward, noting the hard curves of her corset beneath the silk, the full swell of her hips, the juncture of her legs beneath the clinging cloth. When his gaze returned to hers, he was smiling.
"You're flirting again, aren't you? Why don't you save your tricks for your boyfriend? There's no need for anything but honesty between us. That is, if what you want is a friend."
Georgina felt deflated. At the same time she felt relieved. She could say what she wanted to this man, and he wouldn't laugh or walk off or take her in contempt. She touched his arm again, leaving her hand there this time.
"I want a friend. Will you dance?"
Music poured through the open windows, and Daniel glanced up at the heavy draperies preventing any sight of the lavish ballroom beyond. He looked down into the plea in her eyes, and held out his arms.
"I'm not very graceful, but I'd be delighted to try. There's more room out here than in there."
The flagstones beneath their feet weren't a polished dance floor, and their motions were less than graceful as he had said, but it was a wonderful dance anyway. Georgina gave in to the sway of the music, the brush of a breeze against her skin, and the firm hold of this tall stranger's arms around her. He took a strong lead, leaving her with no concern other than the pleasure of their movements. It was like heaven. She didn't have to say a word, didn't have to be concerned about her appearance, didn't have to watch her steps. None of that mattered with this man. The dance was everything.
She was sorry when the music stopped. The cowboy's hand lingered briefly at her waist, and even when he dropped his arm, he continued holding her other hand. Their fingers entwined when he looked down on her.
"I just wanted to see if you were happy," he said in measured tones, as if the speech were practiced.
Georgina plastered on her vapid smile. "Why, of course I'm happy. I have it all, don't I?"
"That's what I thought." His gaze was curious, though, and not relieved by her reassurances. "I've decided to stay around a while. I've bought a printing press over near your father's factory. Do you still want me to call on you once in a while?"
"A printing press?" Her eyes widened in excitement. "Will you start a newspaper? Will you have an office with photographs in the window?" The excitement suddenly departed. "Or are you just printing cards and posters and such?"
Even if he hadn't contemplated his own paper, he would have after that. Daniel grinned. "I'll be doing both. There's not much money to be made in a newspaper until it gets some circulation. I have to eat somehow."
Remembering her role as a mature adult, she replied with muted excitement. "I wish you would call on me sometime and tell me about it. I've always been curious about how a newspaper works."
"I would be happy to tell you what I can, but I don't know if I can get away at proper calling hours. I have a business to run."
"Give me your card, and I'll see you get the next invitation. I've got to return to my guests."
Somehow, Georgina knew Mr. Martin wouldn't enter the ballroom with her. It was as if a curtain had been drawn between them. Even when he handed her the card and their fingers touched, that knowledge was there. There was no good reason why their worlds should ever touch again.
She tucked the piece of cardboard between her breasts and winked. She would almost swear that he colored, but he stepped back into the darkness, and she hurried toward the door as the music started up again. It felt good just knowing he was there. She wouldn't think about all the other things he made her feel.
* * *
Peter