Page 1 of Deceiving an Earl
Prologue
She was wearing peach, and it suited her so well.
She was speaking to the same group of girls she’d been talking to at the other ball, the night they’d first met, but as if she could feel his presence, her head turned, and their eyes met. She lowered her lids and turned back to her friends, and he headed toward her. Drawn as if someone was pulling a string straight to her.
“Miss Hillgrave.” He stopped in front of her, and it took everything inside him to not wind his arm around her, to not pull her to him, to not kiss her.
“Lord Fairview.”
“I pray that you saved a dance for me tonight.”
With a saucy grin she examined her dance card and hummed to herself as if she were contemplating granting him a dance. He could see her card. There were three spots open, all waltzes.
“I believe there is one left,” she said. “I will pencil you in.”
He grinned and turned to her friend…Victoria? Blast it, he couldn’t remember the friend’s name, and asked her to dance as well, so as not to call attention to the fact that he’d singled Ellen out.
Damn Society’s machinations!
He didn’t have to wait long, just a few interminable dances before it was his turn. However, watching her dance with three other mates was torture. He experienced a wave of jealousy that set his teeth on edge. He drank far too much wine, in order to keep his hands occupied, as he watched her flit across the dance floor in other men’s arms.
He knew people might notice his preoccupation, but he couldn’t help himself.
And then it was his turn and she was in his arms and all was right with his world.
She smiled up at him.
“All night I’ve looked forward to this dance,” she said.
“I could barely contain myself, seeing you with the other men.”
Her smile widened. “Just know that I was thinking of you the entire time.”
“That gives me some comfort.”
They moved well together. He shouldn’t be surprised. They kissed well together. They conversed well together. Everything they did together, they did well.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes, and his heart thundered. He had missed her so much in the three days since their kiss.
“I can’t do this anymore, Ellen,” he said softly. The music was loud but still he didn’t want anyone to overhear.
She frowned up at him. “What do you mean?”
He didn’t want to discuss it here, among the swirling bodies and the perked ears. He wanted Ellen all to himself, to speak freely.
“Can you meet me outside?”
“Oliver, you’re frightening me. Tell me what this is about.”
“Nothing to be frightened over. I promise you. It is something good. Wonderful.” He smiled down at her.
“Do you swear?”
“I swear on my honor.”
The dance seemed to be endless and over too soon, all at the same time. He wanted to keep holding Ellen in his arms, but he also urgently needed to speak to her, to finally make all of this formal and permanent.
