Page 20 of Her Rogue to Ruin
The news should have pleased him, and it did, but it had nothing to do with obtaining a portrait to gift to a mistress and everything to do with the prospect of spending time with Portia.
“Thank you.” He offered her his hand. “Now, about that dance.”
She stared at his outstretched hand and hesitated. “Do you think we should? If we’re to do this discreetly, we’ll have to meet at my studio. If anyone saw us together—“
“We’re guests at the same ball. One dance won’t arouse anyone’s suspicions about something we haven’t even begun.”
She reached for him then, and he tried to clasp her fingers gently. But it was the first time they’d touched, and he already found that he didn’t want to let her go.
They entered the ballroom as the second dance was drawing to a close and immediately claimed a spot on the floor.
When the music commenced again, Phin couldn’t resist a smile. A waltz.
“I haven’t danced in months,” she told him quietly.
“I’ll bet you remember how.”
“Just giving you fair warning in case I trounce on your toes.”
“Duly warned.”
When the music started, she cast a glance around them. He felt her fall out of step and immediately guided her back.
“It’s alright,” he told her quietly. “Forget about Berwick and all the rest of them.”
Her gaze locked on his, she squeezed his hand wrapped around hers, and he could feel the moment she let the music move her. Their bodies were so close that heat built between them.
“Why were you angry?” she asked him quietly.
Phin had to concentrate not to lose count of the steps, and he pulled her an inch closer when he nearly faltered in stepping her back.
“A personal matter.”
She glanced over her shoulder before returning her gaze to his. “Regarding Mrs. Grove?” she whispered.
“No, not at all.”
“Forgive me if I’m being impertinent.”
Phin led her into the final spin as the music ended, already considering another dance. Another opportunity to hold her in his arms.
“You have my permission to be impertinent,” he told her as the music stopped and dancers made their way to the edges of the ballroom.
“You might regret that, Lord Pemberton, since we’re going to be spending a good deal of time together.”
Eagerness fizzed inside him at the thought of it. “When do we start?”
Once they were off the dance floor and had stepped away from the other guests, she turned back to him.
“Tomorrow night?” She spoke as though she was eager for them to begin, despite refusing him hours before. It was as if something about her interaction with Lord Berwick had emboldened her. “My studio is on Lexington Avenue. Number Four.”
“I’ll see you then.” Phin hadn’t slept well of late, and he knew he wouldn’t sleep tonight either.
He’d never been so eager for something as simple as a portrait sitting. But, of course, this was a different sort of painting, and he suspected he’d get to see a different side of Lady Portia Hastings when she was in her own creative space.
That was what he was looking forward to most.
CHAPTER5
