Page 93 of A Fearless Heart
“Their approval only matters for dancesatAlmack’s, as you must know,” she said. “I’m surprised you like dancing.”
“I like the waltz. I believe it was only invented as a way to allow people to say they’re dancing when in fact they’re flirting.”
“My goodness, do you think people will consider me a flirt?” She glanced around the crowd.
“They will consider you beautiful,” he replied smoothly.
As the waltz ended, Gabe was unpleasantly surprised to find his brother lurking at the edge of the floor, clearly waiting for Cady.
“He’s claimed the next dance,” she whispered. “I was surprised by how many men signed my card.”
Gabe wasn’t. Cady was the most beautiful woman there.
Gerald approached and bowed over Cady’s hand. “My lady,” he said with far too much fervor. “How lovely to see you again.”
“Thank you for the invitation, my lord.”
“You know, I forgot to ask earlier. Howdoyou know my little brother?”
“We met in Kent,” Cady replied with a side glance at Gabe.
“At a house party?”
Gabe saw her expression change to amused. “Something like that, yes. I don’t recall the specifics.”
“And even here in London, you seem to see a lot of each other.”
“I suppose.” Cady gave a little shrug.
“I hope he isn’t importuning. I am happy to give him a talking-to if he is.”
She gave him her most innocent, wide-eyed look. “Importuning? What do you mean?”
“Taking advantage of your good nature, or extracting promises of any type.”
Lord, he was talking around the matter. The man couldn’t bring himself to ask directly whether Gabe had offered marriage or tried to compromise her into marriage.
Cady looked like she wanted to laugh, but she merely said, “I can’t imagine.” It was a vague reply that effectively ended the interrogation.
Then Gerald swept her back onto the floor for the next dance.
Andthe one after.
Gabe’s patience was wearing thin. This was the aspect of being a younger son that he hated most: the expectation that he’d attend all the events, show respect for the family name, and bow and scrape to his eldest brother’s whims just because he was the eldest. If it had been Gabe’s birthday party, Gerald wouldn’t have bothered to show up at all, let alone stay this long.
Not that Gabe ever had a birthday party, or any party. Gabe was an agent of the Zodiac. His work was too important for parties. Yet here he was.
When the second dance finally ground to a halt, Gabe swiftly moved to intercept Gerald from dragging Cady along to yet another dance or whatever destination he had in mind.
“You look a little flushed, my lady,” Gabe said to Cady. “Perhaps you want to step outside where it’s cooler. I want to speak to my brother for a moment.”
No fool, Cady read his mood and graciously agreed. “Yes, a moment out on the terrace would be very restorative. How thoughtful, Mr Courtenay.” She moved off toward the glass doors to the outside.
Gabe leaned toward his brother. “What are you doing?” he said in a low voice.
“What do you mean? And you haven’t said a word about it being my birthday.” He seemed slightly tipsy.
“Many happy returns,” Gabe said. “What are you doing with Lady Arcadia?”
