unpredictable kitten.
Another set began. Music swirled through the air, drifting up under the ceiling where pine garlands wrapped in red ribbon were strung in honor of the Yuletide season. Couples skipped and twirled. Laughter and chatter mingled with the sort of joyfulness she was wont to welcome. Instead, she wished herself elsewhere – somewhere far away from all the irritating happiness.
“Good heavens,” Sarah said at the very same moment Athena decided to step outside for some fresh air. “Did you know he would be here?”
“Who?” she asked, her stomach squeezing tight in anticipation of whom her sister referred to.
“Langdon. I mean, Darlington. He just arrived and...he’s coming this way.”
Athena stood, her heart pounding with the wild pace of a thousand galloping horses. Her stomach fared no better. It felt like it housed a swarm of butterflies. She glanced in the direction Sarah indicated and instantly sucked in a breath. Sure enough, there he was, handsomer than he’d been four days prior. How was that possible? She did not know and she did not care. All she could do was feel the rush of joy pouring through her while he strode toward her.
“Miss Townsbridge,” he murmured as soon as he reached her. “I trust you are having a wonderful evening?”
“Indeed, my lord.” Her face grew hot, her insides hotter. What on earth was happening to her?
“Lady Brunswick,” he said, addressing Sarah next. “Felicitations on your recent marriage.”
“Thank you.” Sarah gestured toward her husband. “Have you met the duke before?”
“Indeed I have not,” Robert said. He shook Brunswick’s hand. “A pleasure.”
“Likewise,” Brunswick said. “I’ve heard a great deal about you. Especially during the last few days.”
Robert nodded and turned back to Athena. “I’m hoping you might be willing to partner with me for the next set.”
“I, um...” Her lungs didn’t seem to be working properly. She was having trouble catching her breath. And yet, there was no denying the pure delight he’d instilled in her by asking. So she forced herself to say, “Yes. I’d like that.”
Appreciation lit his eyes. The edge of his mouth lifted. “Excellent.”
Her brother, Charles, danced past with Bethany, and for a panicked moment, Athena feared an impending altercation. But rather than scowl in response to Robert’s presence, Charles acknowledged him with a tilt of his chin before moving on past. Perhaps then they’d already had a chance to speak when Robert was last at Foxborough Hall? If so, Charles hadn’t mentioned the encounter.
“I think I’m beginning to figure out what might be ailing you,” Sarah whispered close to her ear.
“Really?” Athena met her sister’s gaze and was instantly caught off guard by her secretive smile. “What’s your theory?”
“I think it might be best if you figure that out on your own,” Sarah said with a smirk.
Irritated, Athena prepared to argue that logic when Robert drew her attention. “How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
His voice was low and sensual. Awareness rippled through her. “Four days.”
“Is that all?” He leaned in slightly, brushing her arm with his sleeve. “It feels like weeks. Months. Perhaps even years.”
She turned her head just enough to meet his gaze. The fire there stole her breath and weakened her knees. Surely he could not mean what she thought he meant. It wasn’t possible. She wasn’t the sort of person a man would miss, but rather the sort he’d be eager to get rid of. Wasn’t that what he’d wanted from the beginning? To get her out of his house as quickly as possible?
Yes. But later, after failing to accomplish that, they’d talked. And as they’d become reacquainted, something had changed. He’d forgiven her. More than that, he’d seemed to accept her.
No. What she’d witnessed was greater than acceptance – a genuine appreciation for her as a person. And while he might have chastised her on occasion, he’d never tried to change who she was. Instead, he’d told her he liked her.
Before she was able to figure out what all this meant, he was leading her onto the dance floor. She took her position across from him, her mind a muddle of contradiction. And then the music was playing and somehow her feet were moving in accordance with the rhythm. A hand caught her waist and spun her around. Heat seared the skin beneath her gown at the point of contact. She drew a shuddering breath and did her best to remain upright.
“You look stunning this evening,” Robert murmured, his eyes snaring hers with intense focus. “No other woman compares.”
A