Page 49 of Shining Knight
“We must keep him from her at all costs, but we cannot control his mouth or his sister’s, unfortunately.”
“I will tell Knighton as soon as the dance ends,” Heath said. “If he can waylay the man before he engages with anyone else, perhaps Rowley can produce a miracle.”
Graham thought it was their best chance, but there was more than money involved now. Ravenhill would have the pot of gold, and sufficient power and influence were here to enable him to ally himself with a ducal family. And with an audience, Graham fully expected a performance worthy of Drury Lane.
As the dance ended, dozens of people were watching and murmuring, but no one had turned their back on Eugenia. At least she had not been tried and condemned at the hands of Society—yet. However, they were as fickle as the wind and would turn as quickly.
As Farnsworth led Eugenia from the floor and to Graham himself, he could see the strain on her face, but she was making a good effort to hide it. Only those who knew her well might see that her smile was not genuine and did not reach her eyes.
They did not speak until they were on the floor. Thankfully, it was the first waltz and they would be able to converse.
Once the orchestra began the three-quarter measure, he took her in his arms.
“What has happened?” she asked.
He hesitated. He fully meant to inform her, but he had not realized she would have been so observant. Perhaps her senses were more than usually acute at the moment.
“Do not tell menothing,” she continued.
“I will not,” he responded, meeting her eyes. “There are rumors that Ravenhill is back in Town and means to cause trouble tonight.”
He watched her face assimilate this proclamation. The smile fell from her face.
“No matter what happens tonight, will you promise to trust me, Genie?”
She looked up at him with those large midnight eyes, and knew that Ravenhill was taking his life in his hands if he darkened those doors tonight. The wave of protectiveness for Eugenia that swept over him was like nothing he had ever felt for anyone else. He might not love her romantically, but she was one of his dearest friends and he would do anything for her.
“Of course I trust you, Graham, but I will hear nothing more about a proposal.”
He was saved from answering by a commotion at the entrance to the ballroom. The blackguard had arrived and it took every ounce of his will not to sweep Eugenia away through another door.
