Page 24 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
Phineas knew that the second dance number was set to conclude. Even though Christianna and Percy were already betrothed to each other, it would likely be a faux pas for them to stand up together a third time. He did not want to walk away when he might have the chance to rush to Christianna’s side, so he replied in the negative. “Do go on without me, Felton. I think I am going to do as you requested earlier and join in the festivities.”
“Good chap,” Felton said, and it seemed as though he was going to add something more, but then another quick convulsive cough shook his body.
Phineas turned to stare at him. “Are you sure this is just a reaction to the heat and the mingling smells?”
Felton waved his free hand dismissively. “Pay me no mind. I will just step outside for a moment and be back before you finish your dance.” The music crescendoed, and as the players finished the piece with a flourish, the dancers applauded politely.
Just as Phineas had anticipated, Percy took Christianna by the hand and led her from the dance floor. He bowed politely to her, then turned to the lady who was standing nearest and offered to be her partner for the next number. Phineas rolled his eyes heavenward.
That is just like my brother. Done with one and ready to move on to the next.
But he could not begrudge Percy too mightily, for that was precisely how Phineas hoped Christianna would react.
She may be parched or a bit exhausted from all the dancing…perhaps I should wait a moment.
But since he was already moving across the room, it was no surprise when she looked up and spotted him. Her smile broadened, and he could see that she was radiating pure joy. He wanted to be near her, just so he could bask in that glow…and of course, he wished to hear all about her triumphant dance with the duke.
“Lady Christianna,” he said as he bowed respectfully. “If your dance card is not already full, please do me the honour of standing up with me for the next number.”
Lady Bianca was at Christianna’s side, and she giggled. “You are always so formal, Lord Phineas. You know right well we have no dance cards for this evening. It is just a gathering amongst friends.”
“But how will you keep track of your many dance partners if you have no card?” Phineas teased as he inclined his head politely in her direction.
Lady Bianca blushed, and then she said rather boldly, “I do hope once you have finished your dance with my friend, you will want to take a turn with me, Lord Phineas.”
He looked from Lady Bianca to Christianna before stammering, “Th-that would be nice, my lady. I shall look forward to it.” Then, he added, “It would seem that I am the one in need of a dance card this evening.”
Lady Bianca lifted her gloved hand and giggled behind it, but Christianna made a shrewd face. Her eyebrows lowered, and she looked sharply between them. “Do excuse us, Bianca,” she said as she lifted her hand, and Phineas took hold of it.
A moment later, they were positioned to begin the next dance, and Christianna commented lightly, “It seems that my friend is well-pleased with you, Doctor Radcliff.”
Phineas shrugged. “We are only going to dance together. I see nothing extraordinary in that.”
“Perhaps not,” Christianna murmured, but then, before she could add anything else, the music began. It was a jaunty performance, one in which both Phineas and Lady Christianna were required to perform several very complicated steps. He watched her closely, remembering how they had practised this jig just this afternoon. She was not lifting her skirt now, which he appreciated because that had been rather distracting before.
As they moved forward to glance their shoulders off one another’s, Phineas whispered, “Your dancing is superb, my lady. You did very well earlier.”
“Thank you,” she replied through gritted teeth. He was a little taken aback by her tense reaction, and his eyes drifted to her face. Christianna had gone pale as a ghost and was clenching her jaw tightly. The dance required them to walk backwards several paces, then cast about before coming back together again. As he went through the motions, Phineas kept a close watch over Christianna’s countenance.
She’s in pain.
He did not need to rely on his medical training to tell him that much. He knew Christianna’s features well enough that he could discern when something was the matter.
“Are you feeling unwell?” he asked quietly as they came together once more and held hands.
“I…I am struggling,” she admitted as she dropped his hand.
“Should we…?”
“No,” she shook her head frantically. “We must at least finish the dance first.” She winced, and one eye squeezed shut reflexively. “I do not wish to call attention to myself.”
“But you are hurting,” he insisted as he let go of her hand and performed the next complicated dance step.
Christianna grimaced as she tried to perform the movements. “Please, Doctor Radcliff. Let us just get through this song.”
The next few moments made Phineas’ stomach twist into aggravated knots. He wanted nothing more than to scoop Christianna right off her feet and carry her out of the ballroom, but he knew he must not embarrass her in such a way.
It was likely that many of the people in attendance were still glancing at the bride-to-be, and he did not wish to call attention to her discomfort. When the song blessedly concluded, Phineas took Christianna by the hand and led her from the dance floor.
