Page 38 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
Miss Harris peeked at her friend. “I do not understand why you still hold your distance from her, Melior. She is not as scary as you think.”
“Can we talk about this somewhere else, Javenia?” Lady Stanford glanced at the crowd around them, her expression guarded.
Miss Harris looked unconvinced, but she nodded. “I suppose so. Oh look, your husband is come to collect you for a dance, no doubt.”
Susannah turned to see Sir Nathaniel approaching.
“Not so. Miss Wayland is his partner for the next set.” Lady Stanford retrieved a glass from a servant who walked by and took a sip. Her nose wrinkled. “The lemonade is a bit tepid.”
“As it always is.” Miss Harris waved the man away when he tried to offer her one. “I’d rather drink water from a puddle than that sludge.”
“Careful, Javenia,” Mr. Roberts said, joining their party. “If the prince hears you insulting his drinks he might have you beheaded.”
“Catch up with the century, Algenon. He’s not Henry the Eighth.”
The friends’ banter brought a smile to Susannah’s face. They must be back on good terms as they were using first names again, something that had been absent often of late.
“Fine, but at least dance with me so I might vouch for your not so reprehensible character when His Majesty comes to have you led away to his dungeons.”
“I’d rather John speak for me; he’s a far more reliable witness.”
“Ah yes, but he is not here right now, so you are stuck with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I suppose I shall have to accept, then.” But the little smile pulling at her lips as Mr. Roberts led her away belied her annoyance. Everyone knew they did not detest each other as much as it appeared.
Sir Nathaniel glanced at the center of the room. “That makes eight couples. I’m not sure there is enough room to admit us, Miss Wayland.”
“Indeed,” she agreed.
“Would you like to try again on the next set or do you have someone else waiting?”
“Lord Newhurst solicited a dance.”
Lady Stanford shared a glance with Sir Nathaniel. “Well then, we would not wish to take away his time, would we, my dear?”
“Not in the least. Would you like me to lead you to where he is stationed, Miss Wayland? It might give you both a better chance of dancing if you are the first to the floor after this set ends.”
Susannah gave a little bounce on her heels. “I would like that very much, Sir Nathaniel.” Had that been too enthusiastic? She’d not meant to show her excitement quite so openly.
He offered an arm to each lady and they slowly made their way through the crowd. When the back of John’s head appeared above everyone, Susannah’s hands began to sweat in her gloves. She hadn’t danced with John since before his tour.
The memory tickled her mind. She’d been nearly sixteen and so excited about her first dance at the assembly in Maidstone. John had worn a green coat, tan britches, and a smile that had melted her insides like hot butter. Looking back, it was probably the moment she’d started to see him more as a man and less as the youth she’d idolized.
When they reached John, Sir Nathaniel gave his shoulder a tap. He turned and his gaze settled on Susannah. Little sparks kindled in her chest and she gave him a shy smile hoping to appear alluring.
“I have brought your dancing partner, Newhurst. I know it’s a bit early, but there was no room for us on the floor.”
“I thank you. It would have been hard to find you at all in this crowd, even with my added height. Too many feathers and head adornments to see clearly.”
“No doubt. Well, we shall leave Miss Wayland in your care while we greet my wife’s uncle.”
Susannah took note of His Grace across the room, his very pregnant wife on his arm. “Her Grace does not appear very comfortable.” In truth, she looked miserable.
“No, she does not.” Lady Stanford pulled her husband in the direction of her uncle.
John silently stared after them for a moment. Susannah waited. Normally she would fill the silence, but the loud ballroom did not need any more noise.
He finally turned to her. “You do not have to dance with me if you do not wish it, Miss Wayland.”
