Page 15 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
It has to.
As the dance neared its end there was one more couple on the floor, who knew nothing of the discomfort Emilia and Adam were feeling.
In his eagerness to dance, an activity he greatly loved, Lionel had decided to mark the cards of as many eligible ladies as he could.
Having observed Adam’s sadness at the performance, Lionel had intended to pull his cousin aside and ensure he waswell, but his infernal mother had somehow achieved her aim, and Adam was now standing up with Lady Seraphina.
In turn, Lionel thought he might invite Emilia for a dance, but the duke had beaten him to it. Turning to see if his mother was still interfering his eyes had alighted on a sparkling comb hanging loosely from the hair of Emilia’s friend. He had wracked his brain to remember her name and miraculously recalled she was aMiss Fairfax.
To his shame, he had not paid much attention to anyone but Lady Emilia in the first moments of the ball. She was an exquisite musician, and Lionel hadn’t remembered a performance he had enjoyed so much in recent memory. He had scarcely acknowledged Miss Fairfax, and now, he was quite irritated with himself for not having given her more attention.
Miss Fairfax was uncommonly pretty, with eyes that reminded Lionel of honey—his favourite food.
He approached her, feeling rather awkward, and cleared his throat. As she turned, the comb, which was already loose, flew out of her hair, and he was rather proud of himself for catching it effortlessly and giving her a winning smile.
“Miss Fairfax, I believe it is frowned upon to hurl combs at guests without any warning.”
To his ultimate joy, she neither blushed nor apologised but raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“Well, my Lord, it is frowned upon toappropriatea lady’s possessions, so I suppose we are at an impasse.”
Lionel found himself laughing heartily at that. He quickly offered to replace the comb, muttering continually about his lack of expertise, and the final result was rather crooked. One swift movement from the lady, however, and it was perfectly straight again. She had long, very dark hair, which shimmered in the candlelight, and her eyes were flecked with copper as he looked at them.
“In light of my behaviour and stealing from you when we are not yet fully acquainted, may I ask to make amends by requesting you join me in a dance?”
Her expressive eyes twinkled at him. “I should be delighted.”
“It is Miss Charlotte Fairfax I am addressing?” he confirmed, always a little uncertain he could remember a name correctly.
“Yes, Lord Spencer. We met once a few years ago I recall. I hear you are very fond of dancing.”
“My reputation precedes me, I see. With the right partner, a dance can be most diverting.”
“I shall have to ensure that I come up to muster then,” she replied mischievously, and Lionel grinned down at her as they made their way onto the floor.
He found they had a great deal in common, and he had not enjoyed himself so much in weeks. Though reserved in manners and impeccably polite, when not under the heavy gaze of her mother, Charlotte came to life.
They discussed literature, of which they had a shared love, and Lionel learned that she had a cat named Fergus, who she adored. His mother also had a cat named Mischief, who was constantly causing havoc, and they had a merry time enthusing over their feline companions throughout the rest of the dance.
The next set was a quadrille and necessitated the need for new partners. Adam had never felt such relief to be released from Lady Seraphina’s company; the lady had scarcely paused for breath in five minutes together.
His relief was quickly obliterated by nerves, however, as Emilia Sterling became his partner. As she stepped into his arms and they took up the well-ingrained positions of the dance, Adam found it difficult to breathe.
How odd she must think me, for my behaviour when we first arrived.
He tried not to stare, but now that he was closer to her, she was even more exquisite than he had thought. Her lips kicked up into a gentle smile, her skin soft and glowing, and he was gratified to find that her body was entirely relaxed against him—nothing like it had been with the duke.
“You must think me terribly odd,” he said eventually when he could stand the silence no longer.
“My Lord?” she asked, looking confused.
“I am aware that you saw me watching you play this afternoon. I apologise if I came across as rude with my abrupt departure; I was enchanted by the music. I love that piece and had not heard it for some time.”
A faint flush suffused her cheeks, and Adam watched it with fascination.
“I did not think you odd,” she said with a slight frown. “I wondered if perhaps my playing had caused you to leave; I was only practising, after all.”
That startled a laugh out of Adam, and afew people nearby turned to stare at him. “I do not believe for a moment that anyone could find your playingoffensive. You have a true gift for the pianoforte. I have never heard a performance like it.”
