Page 22 of Anastasia and the Duke
She was not a skilled dancer, though what she lacked in skill she made up for with an energetic grace. As she threw herself into the steps with abandon and much laughter, Oliver found his own reserve melting away. He even smiled once or twice, much to the shock of one of the other dancers, who stumbled a little when they caught sight of the usually aloof duke enjoying himself.
Despite the energy of the jig, Oliver still savoured the moments when Miss Blackmore's gloved hand was in his, still felt a pang of longing when the steps necessitated that they change partners, and relief when she was returned to him. For a man unaccustomed to strong emotions, it was rather exhausting to experience the whole spectrum of human feeling in one five-minute dance.
"What fun," Miss Blackmore commented, as the music came to an end. Her eyes sparkled like jade under the candlelight, and for a moment she looked completely at ease, but then her gaze returned to Oliver, and some of her reserve returned.
"You dance remarkably well," Oliver answered, once again offering her his arm.
"That's a lie, if ever I heard one."
"I have no need to offer you false flattery, Miss Blackmore," Oliver replied, as he guided her slowly back toward Lady Lansdowne, "If you recall, I am not entirely convinced of your motivations surrounding our mutual friend. I have no need to ingratiate myself with you by offering you a Spanish coin."
"Ah, so you have offered me a genuine compliment, followed by a genuine insult," Miss Blackmore replied, drolly, "How equilibrious you are."
"I did not mean to insult you," Oliver answered, swiftly, "I merely wished to point out that despite what the papers say, my interest lies solely in ensuring Lady Lansdowne's continued happiness."
Which was a lie, for at that moment all Oliver was interested in was prolonging his conversation with Miss Blackmore.
"So, you think me conceited as well as untrustworthy?" Miss Blackmore gave a bleak laugh, "I did not for one moment entertain the idea that you, a duke, had taken an interest in me, an orphan of uncertain blood. I am glad that you have assured me that my thinking was correct; I will sleep easy now, knowing I don't have to entertain your advances. For, even if I am without family, or a name, I do hold some standards, and you, your Grace, do not meet them."
On that pointed note, Miss Blackmore removed her hand from his arm, and flounced away from him, leaving Oliver feeling perfectly wretched.
Even if I am without family...
For all that Miss Blackmore had filled Oliver's thoughts over the past days, his mind had not once dwelled on the fact that they had something in common--loss. His belief that Miss Blackmore's motivations were merely monetary might, perhaps, be misplaced.
He watched her surreptitiously as she re-joined Lady Lansdowne; her beautiful face lost its harried expression--his work, unfortunately--and relaxed into a smile. The countess reached out a hand to fix Miss Blackmore's hair, which had come a little undone during their jig, and the tender, maternal act left Oliver with a pang of something in his chest.
Loneliness.
Wanting a family was no crime--if it was, then he too would be guilty of it.
Oliver slipped away from the crowd, his head a muddle of past and present heartache. He had never been accused of being burdened with an abundance of emotions, but tonight, thanks to Miss Blackmore, he felt he could drown in his.
Chapter Seven
Of all the things that Hannah had expected when she had embarked upon her plan, fame was not one of them. Yet, somehow, she now found news of her "debut" in society gracing the gossip columns of each one of the daily papers.
"Oh, look," Lady Lansdowne cried, as she read through a news sheet over breakfast, "EvenThe Timeshave mentioned you."
Lady Lansdowne pushed the paper across the breakfast table, for Hannah to see for herself.
"The mysterious Miss B. was sighted in Mayfair last night," Hannah read aloud, "Yet while all talk was of the unknown lady's snubbing of the D. of H., older members of the ton were whispering about something else. That Miss B. bears an uncanny likeness to the late daughter of Lady L. is without doubt, and people are now speculating on just who this Miss B. really is. Is it possible that Lazarus walks among us?"
Hannah exhaled slowly as she finished reading, her stomach twisted into a knot of worry. If others were to start speculating that she was the lost Anastasia, it would further encourage Lady Lansdowne's own misplaced belief.
That's exactly what you want, a snide voice in Hannah's mind whispered. She wanted Lady Lansdowne to think she was Anastasia so that she might share with her the location of her jewels--didn't she?
Hannah took a sip of hot-chocolate to try and wash away the bitterness in her mouth. Her duplicity was beginning to weigh heavy on her conscience, and she did not know how to vanquish her growing feeling of guilt. If Lady Lansdowne had been cruel and cold, and tight with her affection, then Hannah might not be so burdened with shame, but she was none of those things. The countess was a sweet, caring woman, who had welcomed Hannah into her home with open arms. She cared for Hannah, even though she was not of her blood, and was determined to do right by her--which made Hannah's plan to do wrong all the worse.
Even Hawkfield's veiled barb that she was not to be trusted had managed to pierce Hannah's armour. She had been enjoying the ball--its novelty and glamour--so much, that she had allowed herself to be swept away in the moment. The duke's brief reminder that she did not belong, that she was the evil ogre in the tale, had pulled her back down to earth with a thud.
Don't think of him, think of Nan, she told herself, as she tried to push him from her mind--but that was easier said than done.
The duke had stayed with her, even after they had parted. His touch had stayed on her skin, his sharp scent had lingered, and his eyes had haunted her dreams.
"I wonder what poor Colin will think, when he reads it," Lady Lansdowne pondered, interrupting Hannah's thoughts.
"Colin?" Hannah queried, a little confused.
