Page 18 of Caught in Time
She felt like a new person standing in the beautiful room, garbed in her fancy gown. Annabelle and Charlotte glided further into the hall, but Charlotte held back, her eye sweeping the room in nervous excitement, silently searching out one tall form.
Charlotte’s gaze collided almost instantly with Spencer making his way toward her, smiling. Her heartbeat quickened and as always, the magnificent specimen of masculinity he was struck her. The blue dress uniform fit his frame like a second skin, and the decorative gold embroidery and the impressive green sash left the man gleaming from his perfectly shined black boots to the glittering blue of his eyes. Watching the crowd part like the Red Sea as he passed, Charlotte was convinced he was the most handsome man in the room.
He stopped before her, giving a slight bow, and lifted her hand enticingly.
“I believe the first dance is mine.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened and her heart fluttered as he led her onto the dance floor. Never had she imagined such a romantic moment. Never had a man looked at her that way or made her feel so ...desired.When he swept her into his arms for the waltz—thank God, I know how to waltz—she felt as though they were the only two people in the room, and when he looked so attentively into her eyes and asked, “How are this evening, my dear?” she knew it.
She felt it to the depths of her soul.
She was in love with Spencer Abbott.
How could she have let herself fall in love with him? Briefly she closed her eyes, considering, but it was impossible for her to deny it. The gaping holes in her soul weren’t just healing, they were sealed. Without a doubt she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.
It was a sensation deeper than anything she’d ever felt for Samuel and a flight of nerves assailed her so profoundly that it took a moment to reply.
“I’m fine, Major, thank you.”Major?
“Major?” Spencer’s word echoed her thoughts. “I had hoped you would keep calling me Spencer.”
His smile was easy, friendly, genuine, and she felt herself relaxing under his familiar gaze.
“I’m sorry, Spencer. It’s the uniform. You look so official in it that I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Then we’ll just have to get me out of it so you can feel more comfortable.”
It took a moment for the full meaning of his words to hit home and when they did, she blushed feverishly.
“My apologies, Charlotte, that was a crude joke. It isn’t what I meant.”
Recovered, she laughed, her eyes dancing.
“I am quite sure that isexactlywhat you meant, but it’s all right, I forgive you. Mind you, if we sneak off now, we’ll never manage to get my hair back into place, and then we’ll have a scandal on our hands.”
Spencer’s eyes widened in surprise and Charlotte grinned. His reaction devilishly pleased her.
“Don’t tempt me, woman.”
He clutched an arm more tightly about her waist, pulling her against him as they turned.
A burst of surprised laughter bubbled from her throat, and she reveled in the ease with which he laughed with her. Their eyes locked and a moment later his heated gaze dropped to her mouth. Her lips tingled in response, silently yearning for his kiss.
Without any other warning, Spencer bent his head, claiming her lips in a deliciously tender kiss for all of Savannah to see.
As the dance ended, Charlotte believed she might be floating as Spencer gallantly pressed his lips to the back of her hand. He returned her to Annabelle’s care before crossing the room to get some punch.
“He is quite smitten with you, Charlotte. Why, he’s been walking on a cloud since the day you met. He thinks you are the most brilliant woman he’s ever known,” Annabelle said, grinning.
“I’m not so certain that Spencer thinks I’m all that brilliant, Annabelle. We had several major disagreements about how the hospital should be run.”
After Spencer returned, Charlotte’s breath caught at the warmth glittering through the depths of his eyes. Tonight, there was something more in his gaze, something that made her shiver.
“How are you this evening, my darling?”
“I am so happy. I’m having a wonderful time,” she murmured, “especially since I’m with you.”
“What do you say to a little fresh air?” he whispered, his lips breezing past her ear in a barely palpable caress.
