Page 33 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
He clasped his fingers around hers. “One dance. Please. Then we can talk.”
His heart ached with it, this wanting. Nay, needing to get close to her. To hold her in his arms and to hear her laughter and see that smile.
It made no sense, but it was useless to deny it.
She wet her lips and slid her hand into his once more.
They joined the others just as the dance began. She was quiet for a moment, her gaze locked on his cravat, but then she lifted her head and their eyes met, and she laughed softly, the sound so much more beautiful than the music.
“What’s so amusing?” he asked, a smile already on his lips.
“You...this...” She gave her head a little shake. “How is it that every time you are near, I feel as though I am in a dream. Or...” Her smile turned shy and sweet. “In a novel.”
The mention of a novel pricked his conscience. He was here to be ferreting out information from the girl, not losing himself in some blasted romantic moment.
“Speaking of novels, why don’t you tell me about the one you were reading the first time we met.”
She blinked in surprise. “Demetrius and Elsbeth? Y-you wish to know more about their story?”
“Of course.” He moved her in a turn that had her laughing breathlessly.
Blast but how he wished he could just enjoy this dance. How he longed to talk of anything and everything...so long as it had nothing to do with traitors and reality.
“Of course,” she echoed, not mocking but with disbelief.
“I am a man of action. I enjoy a good adventure as much as anyone.”
“You’re in the army then?” she asked.
His mouth opened and closed.Not any longer, for now I am an heir to an earldom.The truth weighed heavily on him and he brushed it aside. “My own career pales compared to the hero of your novel, I’m afraid.”
Her smile widened. “So, you’ve read it?”
“I admit, I have not. Just a guess.”
Her eyes danced with laughter. “That’s a shame.”
“Is it?”
“It is.” She bit her lip as she gazed up at him. “You might find it interesting.”
They were dancing closer to the truth now, he could feel it. “Why’s that?”
She pressed her lips together like she might not speak, but then on a rush of air, she said, “Because you’re like him. Like Demetrius.”
He let out a huff of shocked laughter. He hadn’t been expecting that. “And are you like Elsbeth then?”
Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as she shook her head. “No. I’d like to think so, but...no.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not brave.”
His brows hitched up, shocked more by the forlorn look in her eyes than anything. His heart gave another thoroughly irritating tug.
He most assuredly did not like that forlorn look. Not on her. Not ever. “Are you sure about that?”
She moved like a breeze in his arms, so graceful it was like she was floating on air. Her small smile was rueful. “I’m certain.”
