Page 28 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
There seemed to be some slight tension between them. Charles wondered if she had mentioned the kiss to him. Or rather if there was someone else who was interested in her. Since he had never officially courted anyone, he had no idea what courting couples spoke to one another about. Or if they made habits of kissing other people while being courted by another.
Get yourself together, man. You are going to make it through this evening with your dignity intact.
He had no idea what he was going to do, but when Mr Merryweather announced that the young couples should begin dancing, he put down his drink and walked towards Miss Caroline. Lord Fitzroy had already gone, and she was on her own. It was the perfect chance.
“Good evening, Miss Caroline,” he said with as much boldness as he could possibly muster.
She turned from looking at her friends to face him, and the colour slightly drained from her face. It was not exactly the type of reaction he had hoped to inspire. Uncertainty waged war inside him. Should he not have approached her? Should he have given her more space and time to consider what had really happened between them?
When she said nothing, he held out a hand. “I wondered if you might dance with me. I do not know the ways of country parties as well as you, but Mr Merryweather said the music is to begin.”
And just like that, he heard the first strains of music. A few beats passed and then finally, thankfully, she took his hand.
“Yes, My Lord,” she said. “I would be happy to.”
They walked to the centre of the sitting room alongside Lord Fitzroy and Lady Chatsworth, Miss Mortimer and Mr Thornhill, Oliver, and the young Lady Keenan.
As the music began, the couples came together, and it was to be a waltz. Deeply thankful that he’d come to the dinner that evening, Charles took her in his arms, his hand touching her back. Color returned to her face as they began to move.
“Are you well?” he asked brightly, knowing that this was not the place to discuss what had occurred, but it seemed he could think of nothing else.
“Yes, I am well. And you and Mr Blackwell?”
“We are very well. Thank you.” As they spun together and spoke, Charles could feel his heart lightening.
He was nervous and he wasn’t sure if there was any hope. But there was a look in her eyes that he recognised. He knew his own eyes held the same look.
“Oliver is finding much inspiration for his painting, and he is enjoying the countryside immensely. He is swearing that we shall never leave,” he added with a big smile.
“And you?” she asked softly, looking down for a moment as she finished her question. “Are you enjoying the countryside?”
He continued to smile despite himself, and despite all the uncertainty. “Yes, Miss Caroline, I am enjoying the countryside more than I ever have. And I am afraid it is not the nature that is soothing me.”
She looked up again and met his gaze. Her lips were parted, but they were slightly curled up at the corners, and he could tell she was pleased by his statement.
“Are you always so bold, Lord Charles?”
“That I am,” he replied. “I find it is a much easier way to exist.”
And yet, having met her, having kissed her, he realised just how much boldness he now lacked. But simply being close to her infused him with that spark of hope, and it burned a little brighter. He leaned closer to whisper into her ear.
“I think perhaps we can leave the titles. I would very much like it if you called me Charles.”
When he pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, but she was smiling. “Then you must call me by my name. Caroline only.”
“Good.” When the dance finished, he offered her his arm, for he was not ready to stop touching her.
She took it, and as he led her away, she said, “I wondered if you might speak to my father. He is very interested in a particular aspect of horse racing in London. And he heard you have much success when you are there.”
“Quite,” Charles replied. “I would be happy to.”
“He is just there.” Caroline pointed.
The music began again, and a few other couples started to dance while she and he met her father. He had been sitting in a far corner, looking slightly tired, but upon their approach, he smiled and stood with some effort.
Charles wondered idly what ailed the man, and it made him think yet again about what went on in that home. He certainly could not picture such a cheerful man with someone like the baroness. But people married for all kinds of reasons. Many of them he did not agree with.
“Lord Spencer,” the baron said, shaking his hand warmly. “I know we’ve only seen each other a few days ago, and yet I am very pleased to see you again.” His eyes trailed from Charles to his daughter. “The pair of you looked very well dancing together. I’m afraid my dancing days are over or I would ask you, Caroline.”
