Page 20 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
“Don’t play into them,” he said softly, looking down at her and smiling at her so sweetly. “And don’t allow them to make you think you are any less than you are.”
She smiled back and nodded. He seemed the only kind person in the whole world right at that moment, and she was thrilled that he was dancing with her, no one else. He held her up when she felt as though she was about to fall, and his thoughtful words had pushed her tears away.
For the second time this night.
They were alone on the dance floor now, other dancers feigning tiredness or a dislike of the song. And as they turned once more, Jenny caught sight of Luke, glaring at her from the side.
He watched, his squared shoulders and his fierce stance making him look as though he was about to pounce. His chin, jutting out, pointed directly at them, and the scowl on his face made his feelings very known.
But why?
Jenny felt a bolt of panic. Luke had no reason to be angry at her. She was dancing with a gentleman, as he had requested, and was making an effort—for him, no less! He was not under the spell of rumor, either. He knew exactly where she came from and who she was.
What on earth is wrong?
“Are you all right?” he whispered, taking another turn.
The string quartet had not missed a note, although they must have noticed the strange mood of the room.
“No,” Jenny admitted, gulping back her fear.
“I feel it, too,” he said gently, “but we must not give in to them. Do you trust me, Miss Jones?”
“Yes, implicitly so,” she said, even to her own surprise. “But my brother—”
There were few steps left in the dance, and they took them with a confidence and pride that neither of them really felt. When the music stopped completely, she stepped back and curtsied, as he bowed deeply to her.
And then she turned and left the ballroom floor, already missing his touch at her waist, the feel of his hand in hers.
“Jenny!”
She spun around to find Luke growling at her, Alison hovering by his side.
“What is it?” she asked, trying to keep her voice level and calm.
“You know very well whatit is,” Luke snapped, taking another step toward her. “We are only just fitting in as it is. Don’t you realize who he is?”
Around them, the room had quickly settled back into its evening, with dancers taking to the floor for a jaunty number, while others got lost in a world of gossip and rumor in the seating area. They had, it seemed, forgotten about Jenny and Lord Hartwood almost as quickly as they had noticed them.
All but Luke.
“I don’t understand the problem,” Jenny said, a gentle innocence to her voice. “I have danced, as you wished, with a number of gentlemen. I have talked and been friendly with many of the ladies—even if the kindness was not reciprocated. I have done everything you have asked of me. Please, Luke, why are you angry?”
“You have made a mockery of us all!” he cried.
“All right,” Alison said, putting a hand to his arm. “There’s no need to—”
“No, Alison,” Luke said, swinging around to glare at her. “She could have had her pick of gentlemen this evening—hell, they’re all interested enough! But no, she chooseshimand embarrassed us all.”
Jenny felt her resolve stiffen, her concern replaced with fury and irritation.
“Ihavedanced with other gentlemen,” she snapped in a low voice, looking briefly around her to ensure no one was listening. “And it turns out that very few of them are actually that—gentlemen! Lord Hartwood, on the other hand—”
“Hartwood is no one you should be associating with,” Luke said. He marched up to her and grasped her arm, ready to march her from the room.
“But why?” she managed weakly, her voice now squeaking with the upset of it all. “And how wasIsupposed to know? He seems so sweet and—”
“Let’s leave without any further scene,” Alison said, closing in on them and whispering into Jenny’s ear. “And we shall explain everything. I promise.”
