Page 18 of Georgiana
“May I see?”
She gasped. A gentleman never demanded to see a lady’s card.
“Sir Reginald−”
“Excuse me, Sir Reginald. Miss Darcy promised this next dance to me.”
“Your Grace!” A flood of relief washed through her body at the sound of Max’s deep voice. She turned and gave him a proper curtsy. Max returned with a slight nod and held out his hand.
“Are you ready, Miss Darcy?”
“Oh yes, thank you.” She placed her gloved hand in Max’s and moved closer to him. “Good evening, Sir Reginald”
As they strolled to the dance floor, she noticed that the color of Max’s vest was the same soft green as the trim of her gown and the ribbon in her hair. What a strange coincidence. First, his blue vest matched her embroidered flowers and now her ribbons. If he weren’t careful, people would begin to think they were a couple. Not that she’d mind, but as he’d never given any indication that he thought of her in ‘that way’ she didn’t want any rumors to float around.
“I am sorry that I was late, Miss Darcy,” the Duke began.
“No need to apologize, Your Grace. You weren’t on my card.”
“I meant in the fact I was not there to forestall Sir Reginald imposing himself upon you.”
She glanced up and saw a look of anger chase across Max’s handsome face. She couldn’t help herself, she blushed and stammered, “Th… thank you. I appreciate your concern for my well-being. You are a dear friend.”
“I am more than a friend, Miss Darcy.”
The look he gave her caused her stomach to flutter. If she were fanciful, she could almost believe he cared for her. And not as the sister of a good friend, but maybe something more. He led her to the head of the formation and they faced each other as the orchestra began playing the opening bars.
Not once did Maxwell remove his eyes from her face. They came together, touched hands briefly and parted one again, and his gaze never wavered. As they moved down the line, he had to watch his other partners, but did not emit the same intensity he’d given her.
Heat blossomed in her chest and at times she fought to keep a grin from escaping. The other dancers would think her deranged if she let go and laugh out loud. Dare she hope the Duke of Adborough held her in high enough regard to court her? Maybe his choice of vest color was deliberate and not something of chance.
She’d been led astray before by fanciful thoughts. This time she would proceed with caution and wait for him to declare his intentions. Too soon the dance was over and Max escorted her to where Fitz and Lizzie waited. Beside them stood the Marquis of Trevayne, her next dance partner. With a polite bow over her hand, Max left her staring after his broad shoulders as he cleaved through the crowd.
A soft hand at her elbow alerted her to the fact the Marquis was ready to lead her to the dance floor. With a smile, she let him guide her to the starting position. More than once, she caught the Marquis studying her. Rumors were rampant he was on the hunt for a bride and she idly wondered if he had considered courting her.
He was so very attractive and if she weren’t in love with Maxwell, her heart would be in danger around the handsome lord. The dance was lively and their conversation flowed as easily as a bubbling river. When the last chords of music faded away, and they’d bowed and curtsied, he led her to the refreshment table.
“May I speak openly with you, Miss Darcy?” Trevayne asked as he handed her a glass of punch.
“Please do.”
“I enjoy your company very much, however, I am not looking to take a bride, regardless of what you may have heard.”
“Oh, I’ve not…” she demurred.
“You are not one to lie easily, my dear. Do not start now.
She had the grace to blush.
“I tell you for two reasons. One, I enjoy your company and wish to dance without worrying if the woman expects a proposal the minute the set ends.”
“And the second reason?”
“You, my dear, love another man.”
Heat blazed across her cheeks and she clenched her jaw to keep her mouth from falling open. Had she been that obvious? Her eyes darted across the dance floor toward Lizzie. Had everyone seen how foolish she was? She needed to leave – now!
“Are you well?”
