Page 32 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
“Ah!” Lord Crestwood straightened suddenly, his eyes flaring. “The waltz has just been announced!” He inclined his head just a little, looking at her. “What say you, my lady?”
“I say that I should be delighted.” Charlotte took his hand with what she hoped was a small, swift intake of breath that he did not hear. Excitement fizzed through her, expectations rising suddenly – but she did not know why, nor what it was she hoped for. There was barely time for him to bow and for her to curtsy before he caught her up in his arms and began to waltz around the floor.
It was the second time they had waltzed together but for Charlotte, it was even more wonderful than the first. The first time, she had been uncertain and a little concerned but now, on this occasion, she was able to give herself up to it, up tohimand let him lead her without a single concern. She felt safe in his arms, her eyes searching his face as he looked away for a moment, trying to remind herself that this engagement, this betrothal was nothing more than nonsense. Nonsense which would soon come to an end.
That thought sent her happiness fleeing, reminding her that what she had was nothing more than an imagination. Her feelings, which she had been doing nothing to hold back of late, ought never to have been permitted to grow. She had been foolish not to keep things in check, she realized, her shoulders dropping just a little, her smile fading.
And then, Lord Crestwood began to slow his steps and before she knew it, they had come to a complete stop.
“I – I do not… ”
“Might I be so bold?” There was a softness about his voice which she had never heard before, though she still did not understand what it was he meant. It was only when he reached up and plucked one berry from the bough above her head that Charlotte realized why he had stopped.
The mistletoe bough above her and the berry in his hand meant that they might exchange a kiss – in full view of all the other guests, though many other gentlemen and ladies were sure to do the same. It was expected, she supposed, trying to reason with herself as he held out the mistletoe berry to her. In society’s eyes, they were engaged and thus, a stolen kiss under the mistletoe bough would be all that everyone might expect.
But what will it do to my heart if I accept?
With a lick of her lips, Charlotte reached and took the mistletoe berry from his hand, her heart beating so furiously and so loudly, she was certain he could hear it. Lord Crestwood smiled and began to lower his head – and on instinct, Charlotte closed her eyes.
When his lips pressed to hers, Charlotte froze in place, her entire world shifting. She could not move, one hand still on his shoulder, her fingers gripping there as weakness washed over her. Quite how long he kissed her, she did not know, for it felt as though all of the world had gone by and she had simply stood there, holding herself to him.
When he lifted his head, Charlotte took in a shuddering breath and forced her eyes open. She did not know what Lord Crestwood meant by that kiss, for it might well be that there was nothing meant by it at all, given the façade they were portraying, or it might mean a good deal more.
“Charlotte, I – ”
“Do hurry up, Crestwood!” A shout interrupted whatever it was that Lord Crestwood had been about to say. “Some others are waiting to reach the bough!”
Lord Crestwood laughed but to Charlotte’s mind, it sounded forced and a little strangled. The next thing she knew, they were dancing again together, the waltz continuing on for some minutes, though Charlotte said not a word to Lord Crestwood and neither did he to her.
All too soon, it came to an end. Charlotte stepped back and curtsied but when she looked up, Lord Crestwood was frowning at her. It cleared from his expression almost the moment that she looked back at him but it had certainly lingered there, nonetheless.
Charlotte pressed her lips tight together for a moment before accepting his arm again. There was something in his mind, she was sure of it, but given that he was frowning, it did not appear to be anything good. Her worry grew all the more as they continued on in silence, with neither of them speaking, neither of them appearing able to find something to say to each other. That kiss had changed something, though Charlotte could not say what it was.
“I see your sister.” Lord Crestwood finally spoke, his voice rasping a little. “I shall return you to her, I think, for a short while.” He threw her a smile though it did not show any real happiness, Charlotte was sure. “I will return to you later this evening, of course.”
“I thank you for the company and the dance,” Charlotte answered, her smile wobbling as she tried to keep her true concerns hidden from him. “It was most enjoyable.”
Lord Crestwood did not respond for a few moments, looking long at her as though there was an answer from her that he wished very much to hear. When he did, however, it was with a lowering of his gaze and with a small but heavy breath which Charlotte could not pretend she did not hear.
“It wasmostenjoyable, yes,” he admitted, as though speaking in such a way was painful for him. “Good evening, MissMillerton. I will return to your side soon, just as any betrothed gentleman ought.”
Before she could respond, he had turned and walked away, lost in the crowd within only a few moments. She wanted to reach out her hand and catch him, wanted very much to pull him back towards her and ask him what it was that troubled him, why he was now looking at her with such strangeness in his eyes – but she knew she could not.
“Did all go well with Lord Crestwood?” Amelia touched Charlotte’s arm, catching her attention. “I am surprised that you are gone from each other so quickly.”
“He will return soon,” Charlotte answered, though she did not smile with it. “We danced and yes, it made for a perfectly pleasant time.”
Amelia looked as though she wanted to say or ask more but instead, she nodded, smiled and then turned towards the door. “Come, let us go and find something to eat. I am sure that you are hungry after that dance!”
Charlotte did not answer with anything but a smile and obliged her sister thereafter by following after her. Her thoughts remained with Lord Crestwood, however, wondering if all that had come over her as they had danced – and after the kiss they had shared – had now come over him also. Or might it be that he had seen her response, her reaction to all that they had shared, and it was now beginning to push him away from her?
I am never to marry,she reminded herself, silently.I am to be companion to my stepmother and, until I learn otherwise, that is all that I shall be.
Chapter Sixteen
That kiss had broken something in him, though Samuel did not know what it might be. It had come over him with a roar, sweeping through his frame until he had been barely able to breathe. When he had lifted his head, it had been almost enough to have him declare his affection for her right there and then, given what he had seen in her eyes – but good sense and a twinge of fear had prevented him from doing so.
“Good evening, my friend.” Lord Trenton set one hand on Samuel’s shoulder, grinning broadly. “I saw you with Miss Millerton, dancing across the floor. An interest there, I think?”
