Page 36 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
James nodded. “The waltz.”
Immediately, Lord Thurston threw his head back and laughed. “Well, if that does not give her a hint that you might find her more than a mere acquaintance, I cannot imagine what else would be required! Indeed, Calverton, there is nothing more that you need to do, nothing that should hold you back. I think it would be excellent for you to pursue Lady Temperance. It would bring a great deal of happiness to you both.”
After a moment, James lifted his glass of brandy in a half-toast, seeing his friend grin with the awareness that he was quite right. “Yes, I think that you must be right,” he said, with a small,half smile. “Thank you, Thurston. I think tomorrow, I shall do just that.”
***
“I am certain you will not have forgotten how to waltz, Lady Temperance.” James smiled as he took her hand, the other settling at her waist. “Are you anxious? You do not have to be, I assure you.”
Lady Temperance’s smile wobbled, uncertainty jumping into her eyes. “I am a little concerned, yes. As I have said, it has been some years since I have waltzed.”
“Then hold tight to me and I shall lead you,” he promised, looking deeply into her eyes and finding his heart ricocheting around his chest. “There is nothing that you need to fear, I assure you.”
The music began and, with Lady Temperance’s hand rather tight on his own, James began to waltz. Their steps were quickly in time together and the longer they danced, the more Lady Temperance seemed to relax. Her fingers were no longer squeezing his, there came a small smile to her face and her eyes were no longer round with concern.
“We dance very well together, Lady Temperance,” James murmured, seeing her eyes meld to his. “There was nothing for you to be concerned about at all.”
“It seems not,” she answered, as the music continued to whirl them around. “When it comes to you, Lord Calverton, it seems as though I am quite safe.”
He smiled gently. “Of course you are safe.”
The way she looked at him, the sheer joy of having her in his arms and the memory of all that Lord Thurston had advised made James’ heart leap with a sudden hope and expectation. When the dance came to an end, James stepped back to bow, only to offer her his arm which she took without hesitation.
“Another short turn about the room?”
She nodded.
“There is something I should like to ask you, Lady Temperance,” James began, before his own fears could prevent him from speaking. “Though I understand that, as you yourself told me only a short while ago, you are very contented with yoursituation at present. If you do not wish to change your situation, then I quite understand but – ”
“What is it that you mean, Lord Calverton?”
James looked to her, seeing her green eyes rounding a little, though he could not tell whether it was from anticipation or concern.
“I would like to court you.”
The words came out a little more bluntly than he had anticipated and James quickly pulled his gaze from hers, continuing to walk around the room with slow steps rather than looking at her. He did not know what it was that she felt, did not know what her reaction was going to be and his fears began to mount with every moment that passed.
“I – I do not know what to say.”
James forced himself to look at her. “Lady Temperance, there is no requirement nor expectation for you to consent. I understand that you are very contented as you are, and therefore, if this is not something that would please you, then I quite understand. I will continue to be your friend and I will continue to defend you from Lord Barlington, regardless of what your answer may be.”
“Oh, Lord Calverton, you cannot know what this means to me.”
Coming to a stop and unable to bear the not knowing any longer, James turned to look at her directly. “Whatever you desire, Lady Temperance. That is all that I want.”
Her smile grew and sent light into her eyes. “I want nothing more than to accept,” she said, delight evident in both her voice and her expression. “Thank you for asking me. I find myself rather overwhelmed by it, truth be told!”
James swallowed hard, struggling to know what to say. He himself felt the very same as Lady Temperance, overwhelmed with relief, joy and delight. “I – I shall still speak to your father, of course.”
Lady Temperance smiled back at him. “I am certain he will accept your request. Thank you again, Lord Calverton. This has made my evening truly wonderful when I was certain that it would be nothing but a night to endure!”
“I feel the very same way,” he told her, taking her hand and bowing over it, his smile growing, his heart flooding withhappiness. “And just as soon as I am able, I shall speak to your father and all will be well. I am quite sure of it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Temperance?”
Setting down her paintbrush, Temperance turned toward her mother. “Yes, Mama?”
