Page 25 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
What is the matter with me?
Christian eyed her curiously. “It would?”
She shrugged. “I… well, I don’t know.”
“I think it would be a splendid idea,” Miss Longacre chimed in. “Lord Galbury, why not take your cousin for a turn about the floor? She has been through enough, from what I have heard this evening. I should very much like to witness her smile and, as it is my coming-out ball, I must insist on seeing you both cheered.”
Christian covered Victoria’s hand with his. “I would be only too happy to oblige, for I also dearly wish to see her smile.”
Oh goodness, what have I done?Victoria had not the slightest idea how to dance well. Her mother had attempted to teach her, in her youth, but she had been an unruly and unwilling student. Now, that had come back to bite her.
But… she found that she did, very much, want to dance with Christian. Perhaps it was seeing his behavior toward Miss Longacre, and noting how unmoved he was by her, that had inspired her to be closer to him. Indeed, it made him stand out as a finer gentleman than any of these other gawping monkeys. Or perhaps she truly had taken leave of her senses. Either way, with so many people watching and waiting for a conclusion, she could not evade the suggestion that she, herself, had foolishly made.
“Then, let us partake in one dance, so I may see how I feel afterwards.” Victoria swallowed her terror. She had faced brutes in darkened alleyways and defended vulnerable women against violent husbands with nothing but a pistol and her sharp tongue, but she would rather have faced a thousand of those than face a dance in such a public arena.
“As you wish.” Christian urged her away from the group and over to the melee of dancers, who moved in perfect synchronization with the wonderful music of the orchestra.
“Christian,” Victoria gasped, as they waited for the dance to end and a new one to begin, so they might slot into the mix.
“Yes?” he replied.
“I don’t think that I can do this,” she admitted. “I am no dancer. I did not lie about that. Truly, I have no idea why I suggested this. I suppose I wanted to observe the room from a central position, to see what Sir John and Lord Mobberley are up to, but now I think this may have been the wrong manner in which to go about it.”
Christian chuckled. “I shall instruct you. I will not permit you to look foolish, you may be assured of that.”
“My gown may have other ideas.” She sighed anxiously, just as the music ended and the dancers who did not want to continue left the floor.
Christian led her into position, standing opposite her, as the orchestra struck up the next tune. True to his word, Christian instructed her through every step, discreetly mouthing what came next when he was too far to whisper it in her ear.
“And step around me in a square, coming back to your original mark,” he said, as she duly followed his words. “Now press your palm to mine, and step back, then forward, then back. Yes, exactly so. You are a natural.”
She rolled her eyes. “Now I know you are teasing me. You shall dine out on this for weeks, I am sure.”
“Why would I? You desire to improve your dancing. If I were to taunt you, that would make me a very cruel tutor indeed.” He smiled. “Now, take the arm of the lady beside you, and turn a full circle, then do the same with me.”
She became so engrossed in the movements, and fixing on Christian’s every instruction, that she soon forgot that she was supposed to be observing Sir John and Lord Mobberley. Truthfully, she had never felt this sort of liberation before—a pure feeling of elation that took over her entire body. Leisurely pursuits that were solely intended for the purpose of enjoyment had never been part of her upbringing. So, all of this was entirely new to her.
Is this… happiness?The music, the dancing, Christian’s inviting gaze, and the fleeting touches of his hand against hers all drifted over her in an all-consuming wave of contentment. She could have stayed there for hours, listening to his voice, guiding her through every step. She partially blamed the champagne that she had gulped down, and the snifter of brandy her mother had given her, but perhaps there didn’t need to be blame when something felt so wonderful.
Just like that, the dance came to an end, and Victoria curtsied to Christian whilst he bowed in return. Shaky from the adrenaline that coursed in her veins, she didn’t think she could manage another dance, despite her desire to continue. Christian appeared to notice her tremulous state, and slipped her arm through his, before helping her away from the fresh dancers who were eager to begin.
“You did beautifully, Victoria,” Christian whispered. “I knew you would.”
“I was lucky not to trip and break my neck,” Victoria retorted, though her grin belied her inner joy.
“I would not have let you.” He brought her arm closer to his side, his eyes glistening with an emotion she didn’t quite understand—confusion of his own, perhaps?
She gulped. “Did you manage to spot Sir John and Lord Mobberley?” She needed to divert their conversation, for the sake of her sanity. To even contemplate the idea that Christian could be confused by her was absurd beyond measure. He was betrothed. He had a fiancée who was currently in the hands of kidnappers. He could not have looked at her with an affectionate eye, even if he had wanted to. At least, that was what she convinced herself to be true.
Christian nodded. “They have been talking by the window together. Sir John has glanced at Miss Longacre often, before resuming his discussion with Lord Mobberley.”
“You saw all of that whilst we were dancing?” Victoria stood dumbfounded.
“I told you I had more skill than you gave me credit for,” he replied, with a chuckle. “During my time at war, I learned how to observe multiple matters at once. That is how a soldier survives.”
She mustered a small smile. “Yes, I should say you are full of surprises, Christian.”
“I am glad you are starting to think so.”
