Page 48 of A Chance to Dance with the Duke
A fact her parents realized before Meg even looked his way.
“Aw, there he is now,” her father said.
And to Carver’s horror, the other man stepped directly in front of Meg, blocking her from view, so he could greet Carver with a handshake as his friends looked on in approval.
“I was just telling these men how glad we are to welcome you to our family.”
Carver still couldn’t see Meg and that was unbearable.
He ignored the hand offered to him. “If you’ll excuse me. I was hoping to claim this next dance…” He had to crane his neck once more, leaning to the side to find Meg. Her father shifted, and then jerked back as if surprised to find his daughter behind him.
“Oh. Yes. I suppose?—”
Carver didn’t wait for him to finish. He held a hand out to Meg. Her eyes sparkled with emotions he couldn’t name but she slid her hand into his, and they left her surprised parents and their friends behind.
Luckily, a reel was coming to an end as they approached, and when they entered the ballroom, all eyes turned in their direction as a waltz began to play.
“Are you certain you want to do this?” Meg murmured.
“I’m certain I want a moment of privacy, and this seemed like the best way to get it.”
He looked down and was heartened to see a smile curving her lips. “Perhaps you could try and look a little less grim,” she said sweetly. “There are many eyes on us, and I’m afraid it seems as though I’m leading you to the gallows.”
He choked on a laugh.
Only Meg could make him laugh at a time like this.
“That’s better.” Her smile widened a bit. But he didn’t miss the wariness in her eyes just before she glanced away. “Now…” She turned to him as he took her in his arms. “Try not to think about your feet. Just focus on the music, and…” She hesitated just as the first chords played. “And me.”
Focus on Meg.
That he could do.
And indeed, for a little while they moved together in some semblance of grace…
Until he misstepped
And then her leg seemed to give way and she stumbled. He caught her though, and she gave him a grateful smile as they fell back into step with the others.
“Well, I don’t believe we’ll be winning any awards for our dancing,” she murmured as they passed a couple whispering so loudly, Carver heard both their names spoken plainly. “But I don’t think we’re giving anyone any reason to laugh either.”
She gave him a small encouraging smile, and he felt like the worst sort of fool. He didn’t want to discuss dancing.
And while he loved having her in his arms, he couldn’t bring her back to her parents until he said the words that were clawing at his insides.
“...cannot believe they’re engaged,” one of the dancers said nearby. So loudly he was certain she was hoping to be overheard.
And for a moment he felt an odd pang of gratitude toward that gossip.
Engaged.
Yes. They were engaged, which meant…he could steal her away whenever he chose. It would be expected.
“After this dance, will you step outside with me?” he asked.
Her cheeks were flushed. “I’d welcome the cool air.”
“Is it so humiliating to be a partner to my terrible dancing?” He’d meant it to be teasing, but he truly did feel like a clumsy simpleton as he moved them with jerky movements toward the veranda.
