Page 23 of The Gentleman Was Right
Maud gently pushed Violet toward Edward and said, “Youmustdance with your cousin.”
His hand rose between them, palm open as he waited for her to accept.
She could decline. Claim she was too weary.
Except she didn’twantto decline.
She hadn’t avoided dancing with him because she didn’t want to. It was because she wanted ittoomuch. An adept dancer, she had always enjoyed exerting herself, but would Maud or one of the other women in the room doubt they were cousins if they danced together?
Even more concerning, wouldsheforget she was pretending?
They looked nothing alike. He was handsome, golden, and striking, while she was pale, skinny, and inconspicuous. On its own, their vastly different appearances might not have been enough to reveal her lie, but they acted nothing alike either. He was gregarious and likable while she was prickly and standoffish.
Since their dash through the rain, she was afraid she was too aware of him to hide how much she liked him. Reluctantly, she placed her gloved hand in his, ignoring the sizzle of awareness.
“Of course I will dance with you.”
Maud beamed at them, and Violet attempted to smile back.
Maybe she could handle a single dance.
Maybe she was worrying needlessly.
Maybedancing with him wouldn’t make her like him more. It seemed unlikely, but it was too late. Edward clutched her fingers gently as he led her onto the dance floor. They lined up opposite each other, and she exhaled in relief when she noticed how many other couples had joined them. It would be easy to blend in with so many dancers on the floor, and from a distance of a few feet, she thought she might be able to maintain a façade of coolness toward him.
The music started, and she danced as if she was exactly the person she was pretending to be. Avoiding eye contact with everyone, she actively tried to pretend that she didn’t feel a pull of attraction in her gut every time she caught a whiff of his heady scent.
“I think I could use a bit of fresh air,” she said when the music finally faded.
“That sounds pleasant. Allow me to be your escort?” he asked, extending his arm.
“Oh…um…” His escort wasn’t necessary, but she reached out and rested her fingers in the crook of his elbow anyway. He smoothly ushered her out of the room, down the short hallway, and into the night. Pulling her shawl tighter, she glanced behind them as he shut the door with a resounding click. It was dark and cool outside, but the rain had not resumed, and a few stars were even visible as they walked along the side of the building toward the sea.
“That was rather smooth,” she couldn’t help remarking, as she glanced at him.
He caught her gaze and winked. “It was your suggestion to get some air.”
“I wasn’t—” She stopped herself.
He was right.
If she hadn’t wanted his company, she wouldn’t have allowed him to escort her, or she wouldn’t have made the suggestion in the first place.
The entire day had led her to like him even more than she already had, and while it was exceedingly foolish to spend more time in his company, she could not seem to stop herself.
What was one more idiotic decision anyway?
“Thank you for escorting me.” The way the moonlight glittered on the sea was spectacularly calming. She tried to ignore that it was also insanely romantic. “I adore the view here. It’s so peaceful to look out over the water.”
“This is the first time I’ve been to the coast. It’s been more than a bit damp.” He chuckled. “But it’s quite lovely in its own way.”
“Many people find the seaside to be soothing. I believe that is why so many people visit.” She felt ridiculous as she said it, but he hummed as if in agreement.
They both fell silent when they came to a halt at the edge of the pathway. It wasn’t overly cold, but she had the inexplicable urge to tuck herself into his warmth anyway. The air between them was ripe with tension she’d only felt once before, and she should have been terrified.
If she’d allowed herself, shewouldhave been terrified.
She’d been expertly wooed by Basil. Her betrothed was quite skilled in all the things she imagined a man did for a woman he wanted to marry. He’d regularly brought her fresh blooms, walked with her in the garden, conversed with her attentively, and admired her in a way that made her believe he found her pleasing. His heated expression had lingered on her lips with increasing frequency, and they’d shared their first kiss in an alcove of her father’s house.
