Page 40 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
Matt reached the door of Flora’s room and paused. He should not be doing this. He did not flirt with married women and Flora Warenne was as good as married. He tried to ease his conscience by telling himself that was the point of befriending her. She was betrothed to Lord Whilton and Matt hoped she would use her influence with the Viscount over the matter of the Rysbrack statue.
He knocked softly on the door. Perhaps she had thought better of it and would not answer. But then the door opened and his relief was so great he could not stop the smile that surged up from somewhere inside him.
‘Good evening, Miss Warenne.’
She looked a little pale as she regarded his cloaked figure, then her eyes fell to the folds of black silk draped over his arm.
‘You have a domino for me.’
‘As you see. Will you allow me?’
She nodded and stepped out into the corridor, quietly pulling the door closed behind her. He draped the cloak about her, resisting the temptation to allow his hands to linger on her shoulders, then he held up two strips of black silk by their ribbons.
‘I have masks, too, you see.’
Moments later he was escorting her down the stairs. The hall was bustling with others dressed for the masquerade, some in cloaks, others in costume to disguise their identity. No one spared a second glance for one more masked couple, shrouded head to foot in their enveloping dominos.
It was a warm summer night and it did not take them long to walk the short distance to the Pavilion, where the dancing had already commenced and the music flowed out through the open windows. As they approached the door, Flora hesitated.
Matt glanced down at her. ‘Nervous?’
‘A little.’
‘You need not be. I will look after you.’ He placed his hand over her fingers and felt them tremble. ‘I give you my word I will keep you safe.’
She said quietly, ‘I shall rely upon you do to so, sir.’
* * *
The ballroom at night was every bit as magnificent as Flora had imagined it and the orchestra was excellent. Her nerves settled once she was on the dance floor. After all, this was the reason she had come. Matt Talacre was a good dancer and an attentive partner, and she was soon lost in the joy of the music, caught up in the lively, colourful world of the dance.
Matt remained at her side for the next two dances, and the next. They only left the floor to partake of asimple supper, where they laughed and chattered together as if they had known each other for ever.
* * *
Afterwards Flora went back with him to the ballroom for two more sets before finally allowing him to guide her through one of the long windows and out into the balmy night air.
‘Are you glad you came?’ he asked.
‘Oh, yes, I do not know when I have enjoyed myself more! What I mean is,’ she went on, ‘this ballroom and the orchestra are both far superior to what we have in Whilton.’
‘Ah, so your pleasure has nothing to do with your dancing partner.’
‘As to that, I could not possibly say,’ she replied primly.
Through the slits in his mask his eyes blazed, as if they were on fire. Something inside her flipped over and she scolded herself for being fanciful. Reflected light from the ballroom, she told herself, refusing to read anything more into his heated look. She quickly turned away and began to stroll along the terrace.
‘You cannot say,’ he repeated, falling into step beside her. ‘Not even a hint?’
‘Pray do not try to flirt with me.’
‘Hah, would I dare?’
‘I think you would dare a great deal,’ she replied, suddenly serious.
‘Not tonight. Tonight, I gave you my word I would keep you safe.’ He hesitated, ‘However much I want to take you in my arms and ravish you.’
She felt faint at the very thought of it. ‘Please, don’t say such things, Mr Talacre.’
