Page 4 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
Charity danced every set with a different man, and no sign of Lord Lockhart. Where had he gone? What was he up to? She eyed the door to cards, hoping he’d not succumbed to those trappings.
Finally, Lord Lockhart returned during supper. He was seated far from her, on the opposite end of the table, but their eyes met as he sat. He nodded once.
How mysterious. What on earth was going on with her friend?
She only half heard the conversation around her, aware more than ever of every laugh and feigned enjoyment from his end of the table. Until at last, when supper was over, she hoped he would come fetch her for a dance, but before she could say one word, he led another out onto the floor.
She froze in her steps. Would he go the whole of the ball without asking for a set?
He didn’t look once in her direction and seemed as captivated as he ever was by the woman’s conversation.
Charity shook her head and went in search of the duchess. Suddenly the ball in its entirety seemed tiresome. She hoped her steps were swift enough that even the bravest lords would not attempt to stop her in her path, but one moved to stand in front. Lord Wessex, in all his rakish glory, blocked her path.
“Excuse me.” She tried to step out of his way.
“Oh, no, I’m pleased as anything you’ve crossed my path.” He bowed. “Miss Charity. I’ve never seen you radiate so. I’ve been waiting for a chance to prove my dancing prowess. Would you please do me the honor?” His eyes widened, as though he didn’t know every woman in the room pined for him. And then he tilted his head. “I do know you are much in demand and attempting to go elsewhere. I admit to hoping to dissuade that direction and distract you but for the time of this set?” His grin grew slowly, and she knew nary a woman would resist such a look and as it turns out, she was sorely tempted as well. At least perhaps Lord Lockhart might see her dancing and be reminded he could ask her himself.
His jawline was sharp, his teeth white, his breath, minty. “And we can discuss any number of things. I’m at your disposal.”
And that is what cinched the deal. She laughed. “You’ve discovered a way into my heart it seems?”
When she placed a hand on his arm, his face, closer than she expected, grinned. “That is my very wish.”
Her heart beat erratically before she calmed the ridiculousness. He was overwhelming in every way, but she must master her response to him.
The music to a waltz began, and while his grin grew, she tried to hide a groan inside. But he stood taller. “My luck is increasing by the moment.” As he pulled her closer and his hand circled her waist, she knew she was in trouble indeed. Not for any minute did she think she might be caught in his snare, but hewascertainly adept at winning a woman’s affections and she was certainly not immune to them.
His eyes were the very shade of the Brighton seawater from the cliffs. His shoulders were broad and strong. Who knew she had a thing for jawlines? And his cravat touched his chin in crisp folds of white.
When she looked back up into his eyes, they were grinning back at her in amusement.
“You are a beautiful woman, Miss Charity.”
“Thank you.”
“And I love just looking at you. I’ll be open and frank. You’re stunning. Everyone in the room is watching, women, men, everyone. You’ve captured us one and all. And I am entranced.” He led her expertly around on the floor.
She swallowed, unsure what to say or do in such a conversation.
“And I’m even more impressed as you refuse to simper and deny the hold you have on us.”
She opened her mouth.
But he continued. “But here is my secret.”
She waited.
He leaned closer, his breath tingling sensations down the soft skin on her neck. “I care less about capturing you for your beauty.”
“Oh?” He’d certainly spent a good amount of words discussing something he now professed to care little about.
“I appreciate it, naturally. But you.” His smile curled larger, then he leaned closer so that his mouth was hovering over her neck. “I want to win yourmind.” His lips brushed her ear as he spoke. Perhaps he’d done it on accident, perhaps on purpose, but she was struck by the wave of gooseflesh that jumped up along her skin.
“Oh?” She swallowed. Why could she think of nothing to say? Nothing at all?
“Certainly. You are my match in general appearance, but can Iimpressyou?” He raised his chin. “I’m up for the challenge.”
She had heard of this Wessex all over the ton. He swept through the women like a great tidal wave, leaving hearts broken in his wake. Just dancing a waltz with him would leave her open to discussion and speculation. The very last thing she needed was for him to enter some kind of quest to win her mind. “I hardly think that likely.” She wanted to bite the words back as they left her lips, but there they were.
