Page 25 of Stolen by My Knave
“Ah yes,” he said and pointed to her card. “It’s clearly here. I wrote my name next to this particular waltz.” He turned toward Lord Redmayne. “Sorry to disappoint you, but the lady’s mine.”
That sounded so territorial, and it sent a shiver of awareness through her entire body. Was he staking a claim?Please let it be true. She’d wanted him since the moment they met and she realized who he was. Later, she’d make sure to disabuse him of the notion he had a right to claim her without her permission. Now though, she was grateful enough to let it slide.
“It’s my mistake,” she said. “I apologize for thinking I had a free slot. Lady Hyacinth can dance with you though. She was exclaiming earlier she didn’t have enough dance partners.”
Perhaps that was evil of her, but Lady Hyacinth had brought it upon herself. She wouldn’t be forced to dance with Lord Redmayne if she’d not tried to do the same to her. Turnabout was fair play as far as Elizabeth was concerned. Why shouldn’t Lady Hyacinth dance with Lord Redmayne?
“Would you be my partner in the next set, Lady Hyacinth?” he asked carefully.
Was he hoping she’d refuse? His expression was placid, but that was how he normally appeared. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if he wanted to dance with Hyacinth or was asking because he’d been forced into the situation. It didn’t matter either way... They had no choice but to dance with each other or be ostracized for their rudeness. Neither one would want to be the subject of gossip.
“Yes of course, my lord.” Hyacinth pasted a smile on her face as she nodded. Lord Redmayne led her to the floor and she glanced back. It was her turn to glare. Elizabeth tried not to laugh and failed.
“I probably should chastise you for laughing at that poor girl’s misfortune.” Jack’s hot breath caressed her ear. His voice was barely above a whisper. “But doing so would be wrong because I find I don’t particularly feel any sympathy for her. Her disaster is my gain. For if Lord Redmayne had been allowed to lead you in the next dance, I’d have been forced to kill him.”
Elizabeth turned toward him and lifted a brow. “And yet you’re wasting time talking instead of leading me out to the floor.”
“Let me rectify my error.” He held his arm out to her. “Far be it from me to deny a lady the pleasure of a dance.”
The waltz was still considered scandalous. Elizabeth had never understood that until Jack placed his hand on hers and started the steps of the dance. They moved in unison. One stroke, another, and their bodies almost close enough to touch. His heat mingled with hers until she warmed unbearably. Her breathing hitched slightly when she glanced up and met his gaze. He’d been staring down at her and she hadn’t realized it until that moment. His eyelids were drooped low and seductive. She’d only thought she could feel his heat before—now it was spreading through her like rapid fire. It was a never-ending inferno of need, but what she wanted she wasn’t exactly sure. What she did understand, without a doubt—only Jack could give it to her.
Jack started speaking, bringing her back to reality. How long had she been lost in thoughts? His words weren’t a profession of undying love or anything near what she’d hoped for... “I’m not going to recite poetry or revel you with pretty words.” His gaze seared through her. “Promises are not something I give lightly.”
Jack spun her around with graceful expertise. She didn’t understand what he was trying to say to her and feared it was quite important. Her mind was wandering and her need was too great for her to focus. What was she supposed to do?
“Absolutely,” she replied for lack of something better to say. Why did he have such a blasted effect on her? How was a woman to think when she wanted to wrap her arms tight around a certain enticing gentleman and never let go?
His lips tilted upward. “You don’t understand, but in time you will.”
“I don’t need you to tutor me on the finer points in life.” Her irritation with him was growing to new heights. If he was going to spout inane drivel, she had better things to do. That wasn’t what she required of him.
“Oh, but you do, love,” he replied. Wickedness filled his grin and she forced herself to hold a shiver of anticipation in. “At least in one regard.”
“I beg to differ.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “You speak of promises not given lightly, and in the same breath make none. I believe you said you won’t give me poetry or pretty words—perhaps that is the unspoken promise.” Elizabeth leaned closer than the dance allowed and rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. He clasped onto her hand tighter. “I’m not shy about saying what I want. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and that’s the only guarantee we have in life. That our fate is unknown and it is up to us to decide how we want to live our life. I didn’t ask you to make me any promises. In fact, I didn’t ask anything of you.” She stared into his eyes. “But I will, and when I do, I can almost guarantee it will scare you witless.”
“I doubt anything you could say would accomplish such a feat.”
She smiled. “The night is still young, Your Grace.” Elizabeth licked her lips. “Give it time.”
Jack stared at her lips. Did the swipe of her tongue attract his attention? That was something she could use to her advantage. He thought he had the upper hand in their interactions. Elizabeth wasn’t a naïve school girl. She wasn’t the innocent he thought. Well, she was in the sense she’d never participated in the act of lovemaking, but she wasn’t ignorant.
“I look forward to it.” He twirled her to the edge of the dance floor. “As much as I’d like to dance the night with you in my arms I must let you go. The dance has ended.” He bowed. “But don’t worry there are always other ways we can share a dance. Until then...”
He spun on his heels and left her staring after him. Challenge accepted... Elizabeth’s lips tilted upward. At least he was no longer avoiding her. She could work with that and maybe arrange a private meeting with him. She had a need to feel his lips on hers and he was going to comply. Luckily for her he wouldn’t protest too much. If the way he’d stared at her was any indication, it wouldn’t stop there either...
