Page 81 of A Torn Allegiance
“Your insights know no bounds,” he said. “We should seeHamlet. Would you like to go to the theater?”
“Oh yes, I think we should do as much as we can in England while you are here.”
“I would like nothing more. And then we should do the same in Oldenburg. There is so much I’d like you to see.”
“I am looking forward to it.” Great relief and hope filled her. He still wanted to court her. So often in the past, men were interested until her conversation scared them away. At least, that is what she assumed had scared them, for once she’d discussed Napoleon’s tactics or other goings-on in the world, they had stopped calling. But not Hayes. So far, he’d stayed. Through all her abrupt questions, he’d stayed. Through her attempted eavesdropping. He’d come to her meeting and stayed. But perhaps she ought to invite him to another, one discussing suffrage. Hearing Sir Walter Scott recite would hardly be a burden to any man. How would he respond to the demand for a vote for women?
And the question she most dreaded: what would happen when he found out her part in her family keeping an eye on him from his arrival in London?
The music continued, and Prince Hayes bowed over her hand. “May I?”
“Yes, please. Would that I could dance with only you.” She didn’t even try to prevent her pout.
“I share your sentiments, but I cannot be so selfish as to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room with exclusion to all else.”
“You are too kind.” Her shoulders relaxed somewhat. At least she was starting the ball with him. There was no mistaking his preference, and others might treat her well because of him.
“I am sincere. I thought you beautiful when we first met, but your beauty has grown significantly as I’ve come to know your mind. Remember how I told you such thoughts will always be present.”
Her heart fluttered in happy expectation, thinking of their kiss and other pleasant diversions during that same conversation.
“That is why I don’t feel I can monopolize you completely, though I wish it could be so.”
“I suppose. I am not as magnanimous, for I have no problem stealing you away from the others.” She laughed.
They joined the lines of dancers, Hayes in one line and Elsie across from him in the other.
Hayes bowed to her. “But I might have the supper set and one other, might I not?”
She rose from her curtsy. “The supper set, certainly. Were you to have one other, we would be making a very bold statement to all in the room.” She couldn’t resist and raised one eyebrow in challenge.
“You might not know, but I appreciate bold statements.”
She dipped her head. “I as well.”
They approached each other in the dance. “Then, I should like the one directly following this.” They circled. “And the supper set.”
“Done.” She smiled.
Her moments with Prince Hayes were few and short during this country dance, but she appreciated each one all the same. And when it was finished, to her great fortune, the music for a waltz began. Prince Hayes approached with a look of pure triumph.
She laughed and stepped into his ready arms. “May I ask to what I owe the good fortune of a set with only you?”
“I cannot reveal all my secrets. You know so many already.”
She ignored the pang of guilt that tried to surface when thinking of his secrets and reminded herself of her mother’s words. Her heart was in the right place, she told herself. She also tried to ignore her rising curiosity about his secrets. She laughed at herself.
“Now you are chiding yourself... for what? Your curiosity?”
Her throat tightened, but she smiled, attempting to be as truthful as possible. “Yes, I am chiding myself for the sudden urge to ask you to share all your secrets.”
“You wish to know them all?” They spun around; he led her in the dance as if they floated, his expression growing in sincerity. He stared down into her face. “And you shall. You shall know every single one.”
Their waltz seemed to slow, or they stopped moving or she became unaware of anything but the earnestness of his expression and his promise. Their faces were close. She could almost feel his breath on her lips.
“When?” Her breathless question came freely, for she wished more than anything to know everything there was to know about this most intriguing man.
“Soon, impatient one. Every day will be one of sharing. I do not wish my burdens to be yours, but in any regard you desire, we will be one, if you will have me.”
