Page 29 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
She looked at him, with one of her pretty pouts.
She was genuinely vexed with him.
‘I am sorry. I wish you there very much, Alethea, and I shall be attentive, because I feel we ought to become closer before wemake any irrevocable decisions.’ He spun her steadily as he talked. ‘You did not answer my question the other night, and I assume from that your heart is not deeply involved. Do you not think it should be?’
‘I cannot allow it to be when you are so indifferent to me as to make me wait, and to live miles away from me in town.’
‘Precisely, and so this year I shall amend that. Let us see if we can find finer feelings within us. I think you attractive. You are very beautiful, and we have always been friends. Your company amuses me. With more time I am sure my emotions will grow and I shall work hard to ignite greater emotions within you.’
She gave him the brightest of her smiles. ‘You must work very hard then, and pay me a great deal of attention.’
‘I shall and I will. I promise.’
‘Will I feel spoilt, then?’
‘Indeed. I shall spoil you from the moment you come to London.’
Without speaking the words which actually committed him, he had become committed regardless. But it was for the best. He could not put her off forever and he was willing to go ahead with the match, he had no objection to Alethea. Perhaps his responsibilities were catching up with him whether he willed it or not.
When the dance came to its conclusion he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers. She gave him another broad smile, which lit up her eyes. Her beauty caught him with a firm strike in the stomach.
Their parents still stood together, in conversation, and there was a young man with them. The young man looked directly at Alethea as they neared, and his gaze made it very obvious he found her attractive too.
‘Miss Forth.’ The young man stepped forward. Alethea’s fingers slipped off Henry’s arm and she offered her hand to theother gentleman. He bowed low over it, then straightened up. ‘May I have the honour of this dance?’
‘Of course, Mr Graham.’
Annoyance rattled up Henry’s spine, and yet what had he thought Alethea had been doing while he’d been leading a merry dissipated life in town? Sitting quietly at home? No, of course she had not. She had been attending assemblies and meeting local, perfectly eligible, men.
She looked back at Henry. ‘Lord Marlow, this is Mr Graham, Mr Graham, Lord Henry Marlow.’ The introduction completed to a minimum, providing Henry with no information about his rival, Alethea then let Mr Graham lead her away, leaving Henry with their parents.
He turned to his aunt. ‘Where is Susan? Did she not come?’
‘She was dancing, Henry. I’m not sure where she is now. Oh, she is in another set, there, look.’ He glanced back, following the direction of his aunt’s pointed finger.
Susan stood opposite a gentleman who was dressed in the uniform of the local militia and she was smiling brightly. She laughed then, at something the man said.
She was wearing a deep blue muslin and her hair was dressed with great skill, two ringlets had been crafted to fall either side of her face. When the dance began the ringlets bobbed and swayed with her movements as she skipped through the steps.
She smiled as she danced, and her colour was high.
She obviously did enjoy dancing – she glowed.
So this was what she is like when she lets her guard down.
He was at a disadvantage here. Clearly Alethea and Susan were well known and popular in this local society he had paid little attention to. Perhaps that had been an error on his part. He had not thought these people important. He had not given themany thought at all. But when he inherited from his father his position here would be important.
Self-centred. Perhaps Susan had been right after all.
‘Henry, may I introduce…’ His father brought another couple towards him.
Whether he liked it or not this was as much his debut in society here as it was Sarah’s.
‘Hello…’ He shook the hands of the men who approached, while the dancing continued; with the tune of the fiddle and pipe jigging in the air, as the feet of six dozen couples beat out the steps on the parquet floor.
When the dance ended, Alethea and Susan returned, on the arms of their partners. Henry was then introduced to Captain Morgan, Susan’s companion. The man bowed to Henry then turned to ask Alethea to dance. Henry sensed Mr Graham might also swap to the other sister. Henry held out his hand and pre-empted the man’s chance. ‘May I have this dance, Susan?’
Her eyes spun to look at him with… shock.
