Page 32 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
When the waltz ended her hands slipped free from his and lifted from his shoulder.
His lingered at her back. ‘Shall we dance the next?’
‘I did not know you were so keen a dancer?’
‘I am keener to avoid the numerous introductions people want my father to make.’
‘You coward.’
‘How many of these people do you know?’
‘More than half,’ Susan replied as they followed others, crossing the room to form a set for a country dance. Susan glanced about her and smiled at a number of their companions.
‘How often do you come to these?’
‘Nearly every month.’
They stood looking at one another in silence, while others joined the line of their set. Then the dance began. It was a dance that was stepped more than skipped, and Henry was glad it was not so energetic; the pain in his shoulder was increasing from an ache to bloody agony. Consequently he did not lift it so high when they joined hands and made the first turn.
A frown line formed between her eyebrows. ‘Your shoulder is hurting…’ she whispered.
‘It is bearable.’
‘Why did you ask how regularly we come here?’
‘For no particular reason.’
‘Did you think Alethea sits at home while you entertain yourself in town?’
She was mocking his self-centred nature once more. He smiled as the dance separated them. No, he had not imagined Alethea sitting at home, he had never thought about what she was doing.
When the dance came to its conclusion, he offered his left arm to Susan, not his right, his shoulder ached too damn much.
Everyone turned to leave the floor, and the music did not progress.
She looked at him as she held his arm. Her touch stirred sensations in his stomach and below it; sensations his future sister-in-law ought not stir.
‘You ought not to dance any more, even if it means facing introductions.’
He knew that, but it pleased him she was concerned about his shoulder.
When he looked about the room everyone was walking from the floor towards the open doors at the end of the ballroom. ‘Where are they going?’
‘To supper. That was the supper dance.’
Oh, that meant he was obliged to join her for supper, but they could sit with Alethea. ‘Do you think Alethea will have saved us seats?’
There was another smile for him, of the ilk she had shared with Captain Morgan. ‘I am sure she will, if only to ensure you may watch her flirt with her last dance partner.’
‘I am to appreciate Captain Morgan’s company then.’ The man had retained Alethea’s hand for a second dance, as Henryhad retained Susan’s. ‘But that will carry little weight if it is meant to prod my jealousy. He danced with you first, so you must be his preference.’
She had been looking forward; her head turned, her gaze spinning to him. Her eyes said she did not think herself capable of being anyone’s preference.
That was just foolish.
‘Alethea was already engaged to dance. I am her sister. He asked me for exactly the same reason you did, to be polite.’
That was not why Henry asked her.
