Page 23 of A Torn Allegiance
“Here?”
“Yes, did you not see him?”
“Not at all. Are you certain?”
“Quite. He offered threats and his own tested version of an alliance with France.”
“And why would you do that? Submit to their privateering? Suffer at their hands? Allow Napoleon at your borders?”
“I wouldn’t, but I do need to know what he is about. Sweden just declared war on England.”
“Under duress,” Bartholomew clarified.
“True. But that complicates my position somewhat.” He tried to explain how at risk Oldenburg was, that with a safe port in Sweden, the French would be ever more in the waters off his sea border. He wished to express how vulnerable the Frenchman had made him feel, how he suddenly sensed the French closing in.
They were approached by two more ladies. Hayes wanted to continue his original path to Lady Elsie, but she was being led out to the floor again.
The music to the waltz began. Her partner paused and shook his head. He and Lady Elsie seemed uncomfortable. Hayes wasn’t certain what passed between them, but something moved his feet in their direction.
Lady Elsie’s partner led her back off the floor when he approached. “Lady Elsie, I believe this was our dance.”
The other man bowed and left them. Hayes watched him walk away with a moment’s curiosity. But as the couples began dancing, he stepped closer, wrapped his hand around Lady Elsie’s back, and held her other hand in his own. “This ball just became much more enjoyable.”
Her worried expression turned to a smile. “I will agree with you there.” She stepped closer, and they began to move to the three-step beat of the waltz.
“What happened to your dance partner?”
“He heard the music for the waltz, and apparently, the dance doesn’t suit his understanding of propriety with a lady.” She tried to hide her amused smile. “He became nervous and, at the last minute, found he couldn’t manage.”
Hayes held her closer. “This fits my idea of propriety with you very well.”
She laughed. “I’m happy to hear it. Leaving the floor at Almack’s would have caused a bit of a stir. Not one I should care about but one that would be tiresome to explain away over and over.”
“I am happy to have come to the rescue.” Her soft form standing so close was affecting him in pleasant and distracting ways. “If all rescues end in such a manner, I might take up a new profession of rescuing women.”
“All women?” She quirked an eyebrow.
He considered her words. “No. I much prefer rescuing one in particular.”
“That’s excellent, because I find I’m enjoying your manner of rescuing.” She smelled of mint again. When she turned her head, her soft hair brushed his chin.
“You know Monsieur Lamoreaux?” Her abrupt change of topic couldn’t have surprised him more. He almost tripped over his own feet.
“I apologize. I should not be surprised by the things that come out of your mouth, but I cannot help myself. What know you of this?”
“You left the ballroom with him. I was waiting for my lemonade.” Her worried expression concerned him.
“I do apologize for neglecting your lemonade.” He studied her face. She seemed more concerned about the lemonade than he thought the neglect merited. “Are you well?”
“And then Sweden has declared war. You are here visiting.” She sighed.
He couldn’t be more confused by her frustration. “Yes, I’m afraid the declaration happened while I was on my way to England by ship. And I have heard mention of that singular event more in one evening than I was expecting.”
“Sweden is a friend to Oldenburg, is it not?”
“We maintain good relations with all our bordering nations, particularly the ones that share the North Sea.” He pressed his lips together.
“Even those who fight on the side of France?”
