Page 30 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
They had never danced before, but he did not think he made such an awful option.
‘I… Yes, of course.’ Colour flooded her cheeks. She had truly not expected him to ask.
He supposed the only reason he had never considered dancing with her was because they had never been at a ball together – only at family gatherings when everyone retained their partners. Who had she danced with then? No one. It was why he had never seen her dance.
Damn it.Had she watched them dancing and felt left out?
Self-centred. Her accusation had loitered in his thoughts since it had been made, but tonight it was growing in its intensity.
She did not lay her hand on his arm but gripped it in the particular style of hers, when they walked across the room.
The notes of a waltz began.
When he turned to face her, her pale grey eyes looked into his as he raised her hand and formed the hold. Her hair did look very pretty. She was pretty – simply in a different way to her sister. Alethea had a beauty that punched a man in the gut. Susan had qualities which whispered instead. ‘I have not seen you dance before.’
‘You have not attended an assembly or a local ball before.’
‘No.’ Her fingers clasped about his right hand, as his left hand settled on her back.
Holding her made him aware she was a little thinner than her sister, her waist was narrower, it lacked the curve of Alethea’s.
Her hand rested on his good shoulder. ‘How are your arm and your shoulder? They must be tiring. Do not dance too much. Your arm was only released from the sling three days ago.’
‘My shoulder is weak still, so you must therefore forgive me if my hold is limp by the end of the dance, and we end up being the most maligned couple.’
She laughed, yet it was not as she had laughed with Captain Morgan. The laughter she saved for him was a polite response.
‘Why have you never danced during family occasions?’
‘Perhaps because no one ever asked me.’
Was that said to make him feel guilty? No. Because she would expect him to dance with Alethea. ‘Were you hiding in corners there, so no one saw you sitting the dances out? You are not hiding here…’
The dance began and he turned her sharply. She moved beautifully. She was in fact lighter on her feet than Alethea, and yet her fingers held his hand and held his shoulder gently in a way no other woman he’d danced with had.
‘I have no need to hide here. Here I am asked to dance. There I refuse to play the wallflower and sit and watch.’
‘So you let your rebellious side free and go elsewhere. I presume to the library.’
She laughed more genuinely. ‘Or the music room.’
‘I would favour the music room. A good pounding of a pianoforte can do wonders for the soul.’
‘You can play?’
‘I keep it quiet. I am rebellious too, remember. I dread being asked to perform for others. I play for myself.’
She smiled. ‘I would like to hear you.’
‘You would like to hear me so you might mock me. Which is precisely why I do not play for others. I do not care to know your opinion of my skill, or lack of it. The only ears I wish to please with my playing are my own.’
‘I would still like to hear you; I would like to hear what you play for yourself. It might reveal some secrets of your character.’
‘So you can study me as you do the images of orchids in that book? No, thank you. I’d rather not become your specimen.’ When they were young adults, he had always imagined Susan would share his and Alethea’s home, if she did not marry. He had never before thought that she would. But this evening… Her eyes spoke to him with lively enjoyment and emotion. She was more vibrant, more engaging… more beautiful… Any man might want her for a wife.
‘I think you make a rather good specimen to study. You have made Alethea smile again tonight. What did you say?’
‘We discussed her visit to London. I promised to be attentive and adoring.’
