Page 25 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“I’m pleased to hear that you find me at least tolerable,” he replied, the dance steps taking them apart for a moment till they were back together.
For the entire set, they danced together without growing fatigued, laughing and flirting with one another. Every time their hands came together, she thought how lovely it would be to feel his hands on other parts of her body.
Never before had she ever had these thoughts and wondered what was happening to her. What kind of spell was this man weaving around her? How would she ever be able to leave him when the dance came to an end?
When the music came to an end, Caroline was sad that it was already time for the dance to be finished. She had enjoyed her time with this masked fellow and could easily see herself spending the evening with him. But as she curtsied to him, Gwendolen was quick to find her way through the dancers to reach her. Caroline greeted her friend, and when she went to introduce her to her dance partner, he was already gone.
“Did you see me dancing?” Gwendolen asked as Caroline tried to look around quickly for her dance partner.
“I sure did. You looked splendid and seemed to really be enjoying yourself,” Caroline said as she turned her eyes back on Gwendolen.
“Oh, was I,” Gwendolen said happily. “And my dance partner has asked to remain close to me for the remainder of the evening. I’m off now to introduce him to my parents.”
“Then I shall join you,” Caroline said with a smile. “For Lady Murphy will want to see us together and I want to see your parent’s reaction when you introduce them to a foreigner.”
They giggled together before Gwendolen asked, “What about your dance partner? You two seemed rather fond of each other.”
“Yes, I would admit that it was rather enjoyable. But he seems to have disappeared already,” Caroline said as she looked around once more but couldn’t see the pirate all dressed in black.
“Well, the night it still young. You’re bound to meet again before the night is through. The dinner buffet hasn’t even begun yet.”
Caroline, thankful for Gwendolen’s hopefulness, followed her back to her dance partner where they were introduced, then the trio found Lord and Lady Murphy lounging not far from the dancers. Caroline sat down as she watched the introduction, looking closely at Gwendolen’s parents’ faces to gauge their reaction. They seemed cordial enough as they learned the man’s name and his reason for being in town.
“My name is Lord Sergio from Spain. My fortunes are in merchant ships and I have come to London to oversee one of my investments personally. This evening’s festivities are a way for me to relax from all of my hard work,” the man said as a way of introduction.
“Would you care to sit with me, Lord Sergio, and share with me your trade secrets? I am always looking for new ways to invest,” Lord Murphy encouraged, gesturing to the chair beside him. The Spaniard obliged the Earl, allowing Gwendolen to come sit beside Caroline and speak quietly about the man while the gentlemen talked.
“Have you ever seen such a specimen of a man?” Gwendolen said with a light giggle on her lips. “He’s so handsome.” Caroline thought about her last dance partner and reasoned they were both very handsome. Though she decided to keep those thoughts to herself.
“You are very fortunate, Gwendolen. You’ve not only danced with one of the most handsome men in the room, but he is also quick to speak with your father on matters of business. I think the two of you will have ample opportunity to become acquainted with one another if things continue to progress so nicely.”
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Gwendolen said in a dreamy voice. “I shall discover in this night if this man would make a good husband for me.”
“And what about Sir Roberts? It is clear that this Spaniard is not him.”
Gwendolen shooed at Caroline with her hand. “Sir Roberts no longer concerns me. I am happy with the man who has discovered me,” she replied.
Caroline smiled, thinking that was a good thing for Gwendolen when an amiable gentleman seemed to be right in front of her. Caroline noticed the way that Lord Sergio did look towards Gwendolen from time to time, making her think that the man was taken with Gwendolen as well.
As the second set began, and Caroline, having not been asked to dance by another gentleman, wandered through the dance hall and made her way out into the gardens once more. It was easier to breathe amongst the open night air, and she dearly loved seeing the gardens decorated so. Around every corner, she could hear the whispers and sounds of lovers. Caroline always made sure to steer clear of anyone she did hear so as not to intrude upon their special moment.
Caroline came to a halt as she spotted her dance partner sitting upon a stone bench before the central fountain. She stood still a moment, watching him to see if he was alone. He seemed to be looking into the water and thinking deeply about something by the way his eyes did not move from the fountain. Eventually, she gathered her courage and approached him, even though she was an engaged woman.
Chapter 14
“You don’t seem like the type who would enjoy one’s own company,” she remarked as she approached, causing him to stir and look up at her. A smile crossed his face as he seemed to recognize her. He even moved over on the stone bench, offering her a spot to sit.
“You are correct. I do enjoy the company of others. Would you care to join me so that I might not be so lonely?” he asked.
“I would be delighted. Then, we could keep each other company,” she said as she sat beside him, thinking this wasn’t too improper. After all, she might as well be considered a married woman now.
“So, why are you not dancing?” he asked after a moment of listening to nothing but the water splashing against itself.
“I was not asked to dance, therefore I took to the gardens once more. My dear friend has been wooed by a Spaniard and her mother is quite trusting of my good character,” Caroline explained.
“Do you love to dance?”
“I do enjoy dancing, but never before have I enjoyed it so much as I did with you,” Caroline admitted, turning her head to look at him and finding him already watching her. She couldn’t help but blush and smile at him.
