Page 68 of The Spinster's Stolen Hear
Pippa let out a gurgle of laughter, and Nathan beamed.
“I think that is a very fine plan,” she said, her smile threatening to tear her face in two. “For now, though, it will be easier for us both if you do not ask me to dance again. Mama is fairly raging, I think, and Lord Barwick is most unpredictable when in his cups.”
“Of course, I would not wish to cause you distress. I’ll call at ten o’ clock sharp, if I may.”
She nodded. “You may.”
The dance was drawing to a close. Nathan wanted it to go on forever, to keep Pippa in his arms, to see her smile up at him and feel the heat coming from her skin.
A formal courtship,he thought, biting back a smile.She cares for me. She does. A formal courtship will almost certainly lead to an engagement.
Heavens, I’m very nearly a betrothed man.
Mother will be thrilled.
The music ended, the dancers stopped, and so Pippa and Nathan were obliged to stop, too. They bowed to each other as cheers and applause rose up from the watchers. The usual burble of conversation broke out.
The two of them stayed on the dance floor, staring at each other, each unable to break away. At least,Nathanfelt as though he could not break away.
However, the moment only lasted for a few heartbeats, before Lady Randall stormed onto the dance floor and dragged her daughter away.
Until tomorrow,Nathan thought, with a secret, happy smile.
Chapter Twenty-Three
He loves me. He loves me. Helovesme.
The words went round and round in Pippa’s head, as they had all night. Bridget was clearly displeased with Pippa dancing with Nathan, although there wasn’t exactly anything she could have done about it.
She wanted to sing, dance, and skip through the halls. Of course, Pippa did none of these things. Not only would it make her mother suspicious, but it was barely past breakfast time.
She’d woken early, too excited to sleep. How would their meeting with Nathan go? He was arriving at ten o’ clock, and it was currently half past nine.
Mama will be angry,she thought,but if I’ve secured a decent proposal, she can hardly object. Besides, Nathan is a friend of Henry’s.
She was nervous, to be sure, but most of her feelings were a bubble of happiness and excitement.
This is the day I reclaim my life. I hope you can see how well I’m doing, Papa.
A voice echoed up the stairs towards her.
“Pippa? Are you up there? What in heaven’s name are you doing?”
Pippa’s heart sank.
In hopes of finding some time to herself, Pippa had retreated into one of the little white attics at the end of the guests’ wing. They were small rooms, tidy and clean but seldom used, and when they were used, they were for guests when the house was too full. Apparently, governesses and tutors once slept up here.
This particular room had a window seat which looked down on the gardens, which made up for the steep set of stone stairs that led up to the room.
Thumping footsteps approached up the stairs, and Pippa bit back a sigh, putting her violin aside. The music must have been what led her mother here.
Bridget’s reddened face appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Thereyou are,” she huffed. “Whatareyou doing up here?”
“I just wanted some peace and quiet,” Pippa murmured.
Bridget hauled herself into the room, glancing around with distaste. “This isn’t the sort of place for a future Marchioness, Pippa.”
