Page 15 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
His brown eyes were smiling in a way that sent a delicious shiver running through her. It also set alarm bells ringing in her head and she looked away quickly.
‘Neither,’ she told him. ‘I am content to be dancing.’
‘Does the Viscount not dance?’
‘Of course. But he is not here.’
And even on the rare occasions when he was in Whilton he could rarely be persuaded to dance,thought Flora as she moved across to take her place in the set. Quentin thought public assemblies beneath him and not all her coaxing could persuade him to dance with her more than once in an evening.
The musicians struck up a lively tune and Flora wondered if Matt’s wounded leg would cause him problems in the reel. However, he had no difficulty once the music began.
She was pleased for him, and also relieved that the lively music meant there could be no more conversation. It was all too easy to let down her guard in this man’s company. She must keep him at a proper distance. However, by the end of the dance she had enjoyed herself so much that she was happy to leave the floor with him and go in search of refreshments. He procured for her a glass of lemonade and then escorted her to two empty chairs in a deep window embrasure at one end of the ballroom.
She sat down, trying to fan herself and hold her lemonade at the same time.
‘Goodness, it is a warm night!’
‘Here, let me.’ He took the fan from her, wafting the cool air from the open window in her direction. ‘Is that better?’
‘Blissful.’
She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, before common sense rushed in and she opened them again quickly. He had turned to face her, plying the fan withone hand while the other rested on the back of her chair. A tiny voice inside warned her she should move away, but she ignored it—she was far too comfortable. It was cooler here by the open window and they were still within view of the dance floor. Well, most of it. There was no impropriety in sitting here, enjoying a glass of lemonade with a gentleman.
Is there not?
That little voice in her head would not be silenced, but she willed herself not to blush.
‘We thought you had left Whilton,’ she said.
‘Oh, why was that?’
‘You were not at the service yesterday.’
‘I never go near a church, if I can help it. Even being groomsman at my friend Conham’s wedding was a trial!’
Something in his voice caught her attention and she glanced up in time to see a shadow cross his face. It was gone in an instant and his eyes were teasing again.
‘Was I missed?’
‘Not at all. Everyone was engrossed in Mr Johnson’s sermon.’
‘Butyounoticed.’
This has gone far enough, Flora!
‘I will not flirt with you, Mr Talacre.’
‘I am not attempting to do so. We are conversing,’ he replied, equably. ‘Merely passing the time of day. I would not dream of trying to flirt with you.’
He sounded so hurt at the idea that she was obliged to stifle a giggle.
‘That’s better,’ he murmured. ‘I like it when you laugh.’
She gave in then and chuckled. ‘Are you never serious, sir?’
‘Rarely. Life is too short. There is too much to do, too many places to see, ladies to—’ he caught her eye again and quickly changed what he was going to say ‘—to dance with.’
‘Then you should go and dance with one of them.’ She was finding it more and more difficult to keep the laughter from her voice.
