Page 103 of Unseen

“You are too kind, Lady Grantham.” I gave her a warm smile, and Azriel stroked his hand over mine.

“May I fetch you something to drink, beloved?”

I nodded my thanks, and Lady Grantham grabbed my hand, dragging me away across the room. “Come and find us, Mr Caine! I need to steal your wife away and talk ladies business with her!”

Azriel smiled after me with a shake of his head, and he and Grantham laughed indulgently as Lady Grantham took me to a corner of the room, and collapsed into a chair.

“You will have to forgive me, my dear, but I need to rest these weary feet!” She puffed a feather out of her face with an upward breath, then smiled brightly at me as I sat down beside her. “You look exquisite, by the way. My husband told me you were pretty, but he vastly understated your beauty.”

“You are too kind, your grace.” I fanned myself, and allowed a quick glance at her belly. “You look lovely, too.”

“Me?” Lady Grantham waved her hand with a squawked laugh. “I am a whale. I’m sure I’ve never felt so enormous in my life. I am looking forward to the little fellow being out so I might sleep again. And the kicking!” She laughed out loud,throwing up a hand. “Feels like he is taking to my insides with boots on!”

“That must feel so very strange.”

She smiled down at her belly, and ran an affectionate hand over it. “Strange, and also wonderful. It is quite possibly the only thing I shall miss.” She gave me a sneaky glance. “I suppose you and your handsome husband shall be expecting one of your own soon.”

I fanned myself more vigorously, and forced the smile to remain unchanging upon my face. “We can only hope to be blessed.”

“We were all surprised you managed to tie him down!” Lady Grantham looked around the room and leaned closer to me. “He had such a reputation, you know. So well-liked by the ladies, I hope you don’t mind me saying. There are plenty of women in the room with us right now who no doubt envy you. Everyone hoped for the affections of Azriel Caine.”

“Is that so?” I cast a quick glance around the room, suddenly not feeling quite so at ease.

“Oh, don’t worry about that my dear, we’re all just pleased to see a gentleman like him married.” Lady Grantham patted my arm affectionately. “And to such a jewel as well, you are truly the perfect match for him. I mean, look at him.” She nodded in the direction of the door, and I turned to watch Azriel approaching, carrying two glasses of champagne. “Such a handsome man, it only makes sense for him to be married to an equally handsome lady.”

I turned back to her and took her hand, liking this slightly garish, rather too-loud woman more than I thought I would. “You are far too kind, your grace. I fear you are making me blush.”

Lady Grantham chortled. “That is the heat in this unbearable room, my dear! And just wait until everyone begins to dance.” She grinned up at Azriel as he reached my side, andhanded me my champagne. “You shall have to dance for me tonight, Mr Caine, and make sure your wife has a good time, for heaven knows I am unable to dance tonight!”

“I am sure Lord Grantham could take you for a few rounds yet, your grace.” Azriel offered Lady Grantham one of the glasses of champagne, which she took eagerly with yet another ear-piercing laugh.

“Going a few rounds with Lord Grantham got me in this mess!” She raised her glass to me with a loud ‘Cheers!’, before taking a large swig. “Music! We must have dancing!” She heaved herself to her feet, taking Azriel’s offered hand to help her up all the way, and headed in the direction of the assembled musicians.

“She is a rather interesting lady, is she not?” Azriel took a seat beside me, taking the champagne glass from me after I had taken a sip to take a swig himself.

“Yes, unusual and rather boisterous. But I like her.”

“His family was outraged when he chose her as a bride. Far too loud, far too uncouth.”

“Perhaps that is why she invited us,” I said, taking the glass back from him, and taking another sip, which I knew would go straight to my head in all this heat. “We are equally outrageous and uncouth.”

Azriel raised his eyebrow as he gave me a crooked grin. “I told you, Evie, there is no such thing as good society. Just a lot of secrets, and a lot of filth rather well hidden.”

The music struck up, and Lady Grantham’s laugh echoed over it.

“And the dancing has begun,” Azriel said, leaning closer to me. “I did have a fantasy of taking you outside and bending you over the balcony, but perhaps dancing with you will have to do.”

I gasped, feigning outrage as I fanned myself. “Mr Caine, you beast.”

He grinned widely, his blue eyes sparkling, and indeed looking so handsome that it almost took my breath away. “I am a beast, but I am also a fair dancer, if you would do me the honour.” He took the glass from me, placing it on the table, then got to his feet, offering me his hand. “Let us show them how it is done.”

Anxiety sent ribbons around my stomach, and sweat erupted on the small of my back. All eyes turned to us as a space was cleared and Azriel escorted me right into the middle of it, music swelling around as he put his hand to my waist.

“Head up, Mrs Caine,” he murmured, and led me into a waltz.

The champagne did not help my anxiety, nor the heat that prickled at my body, and my head swam as Azriel spun me around and around on the dance floor. But within moments, all I could see was his face, all I saw was his eyes on me, and everyone around us was simply a blur. They faded into nothing, and I did not even notice as they began to dance around us.

“You see?” Azriel said, his eyes remaining on mine. “No one even noticed.”

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