Page 91 of Nothing But a Rakehell
“No.” Keswick looked directly into her eyes. “It’s too late to panic. You got me out of there,” he nodded toward the corner. “I will get you through this.”
She blinked at him, unable to respond.
“Move,” he ordered.
He was right. She lifted her chin. Extended her arm. Took his. And began to step in a circle with him, in time to the music.
They made the first revolution. Faced each other again. Took each other’s opposite hand and began to circle in the opposite direction.
She stumbled. Tripped. Nearly went down.
An audible gasp came from the crowd.
A shiver of icy shame ran down her spine.
But Keswick was there, supporting her, setting her back on balance, and guiding her smoothly through the turning.
And at last, others came. Hope and Tensford pushed through the crowd and hurried onto the dance floor. Miss Rutledge and Sir Blackwell followed, then Lady Tresham and Mr. Simon.
Glory and Keswick carried on, able to meet in the middle and advance down the line. They joined hands with Hope and Tensford and she successfully managed the steps forward and back again.
Then she was facing Keswick again. He grinned triumph at her and all of the tension abruptly drained out of her. She relaxed into his grip and gazed into his eyes while they circled again.
At first he looked at her hungrily, like a man enjoying his last meal before execution. But she knew better. She smiled at him in relief and exultation as she continued to navigate the dance and in the complete joy of doing it with him. Her leg was forgotten. Any thought of strife abandoned. The rest of the ballroom faded and only the two of them existed, and for several, long, wonderful moments she reveled in his gentle touch, in the pride in his expression and in the ever-present pull between them.
Eventually, the music ended. She gradually came awake, back to the reality of his hand in hers, of Hope hugging her with tears in her eyes, of Tensford shaking Keswick’s hand.
She came awake to the truth—there was still more fighting to be done.
“I need to speak with Tensford,” she began. But the pain in her ankle and the ache in her leg were vying for attention, too. “I need to sit down.”
Keswick immediately lent her his arm and she leaned heavily upon it, while trying to seem as if she was not. He acted utterly casually too, understanding without words her wish not to appear fatigued.
He escorted her to the side of the dance floor and claimed her a seat as the guests lined up for the second dance of the set. Glory took her sister’s hand. “I need to speak to Tensford, right away.”
“He’s right here,” Hope said and pulled her husband forward.
Tensford knelt down beside her and she reached out and squeezed her brother in law’s hand. “Listen, Tensford. As soon as this dance finishes, you must call for the attention of the crowd.” She met Keswick’s gaze. “You must announce our engagement.”
Keswick choked. “What? Glory, no!”
Hope’s breath caught.
Tensford’s gaze moved gravely between them. “Drastic measures, Kes?”
“No. Do not listen to her,” Keswick ordered.
“You must! His father means to announce his betrothal to Miss Vernon, despite his refusal of the idea. The earl is scheming with her and her rich father. They mean to force Keswick’s hand. He’ll have to marry the girl or they will see him shunned. He’s threatened to sue for breach of promise and blacken his name with everyone in thetonand in the business world.”
“I don’t care,” Keswick insisted. “Either way, I am defeated. I will not carry you down into the muck with me.”
“I’ve already pulled you from the muck once, damn you.” She laughed weakly. “I’ll do it now, as well, for it’s more than your precious boots that are in danger this time.”
He shook his head.
“You listen to me, Keswick. I will not see them win—not when your destruction is their aim. Either way, married to her, or with reputation and opportunity destroyed—they will make you miserable. And do you think they will stop at this? No. They will never stop trying to destroy you. I’m forging us a different path. All you have to do is take it. And finally, this ends here and now.”
“I cannot let you—”
