Page 27 of A Gentleman's Wife

Her face paled. “But I… I will need to practice, since it’s been some time. And who would I dance with? It cannot be you, as you are my husband…”

The doors to the breakfast room opened again, revealing Mr. Sanders, and Thomas grinned.

“Then perhaps Mr. Sanders.”

The good doctor looked between the two of them. “Perhaps what?” he asked.

“I might ask you to stay on a fortnight, Doctor, in preparation for the ball we’re having. You are already familiar with her hand, so there would be no awkward exchange. Unless you are otherwise occupied elsewhere?”

Mr. Sanders shook his head as he took his seat. “Not at all, nothing keeps me. In fact, I’ve thought a good deal about what you said, and I think moving to this part of the country would do me good. New clients, fresh air, capital idea.”

Thomas looked to Marianne, who did not seem to despair at the thought of dancing with the doctor. “Yes, I think that will do nicely. But who willyoudance with?”

“Perhaps I could ask Isabel. The Duchess of Norland, I mean. The four of us can form a quadrille to open the ball.”

Marianne bit her lip, and Thomas could see her concern.

“You met her briefly at the wedding, so nothing to worry yourself over. I promise you, she’s one of the kindest souls in the world. Very similar to you, in that regard.”

She gave an appreciative smile, then put down her napkin. “This is all so much, it might be all I think about for days. And I don’t know why dancing didn’t cross my mind before. I will need to practice, for it’s been some time since I’ve stood up in a ballroom, let alone with other people.”

Thomas didn’t need any further encouragement. He immediately stood and reached out his hand to her. “Then come, we’ll go practice.”

“That would be lovely, thank you.” Marianne let him pull her from the room, and he felt certain he might be more excited than she was.

“Do join us after you’ve eaten, Doctor,” Thomas called before escaping into the corridor.

“But wait, isn’t the ballroom this way?” she asked, pointing the opposite direction.

“It is, but we’re going to the music room first. Have you seen it yet?”

Marianne shook her head. “Only in passing.”

When they arrived, Thomas opened the double oak doors and led her inside. It was a room of muted blues, dark woods and gold trimmings. The pianoforte stood in one corner, a harp in the other, and the rose scent from years ago had never quite disappeared.

“How marvelous,” Marianne whispered as she looked around. “Do you play?”

“Only the pianoforte, at my grandmother’s insistence. She played the harp, and it was a magical experience to witness.”

“Are you going to play now?” she asked, a hopeful tone in her voice.

Thomas chuckled. “Not quite yet. I want to practice steps first. How comfortable do you feel with the quadrille?”

“Well enough, I think. We’ll start beside each other, yes?”

“Yes, just so. Come stand here with me.” He moved them to the open floor beside the sofa. “Now, I’ll stand in as Mr. Sanders, but at the ball, I’d be across from you with the duchess on my side.”

Marianne pressed her lips together but nodded.

They each bowed to the space where the other dancers would fill, and Thomas thrilled when her mouth grew into a smile.

Thinking of a familiar song with the beat of a quadrille, Thomas lightly hummed the tune and led her through the dance. She needed no help in remembering, for her steps were as fluid and graceful as a princess. Even without the additional dancers, she weaved around the floor with him, taking his hand when necessary and without hesitation when her right hand was included.

When the dance required they take hands and dance around the room side by side, Thomas looked down at her over his side. With her arm touching his, he remembered that she had spoken of an injury to her shoulder and wondered if it still pained her. But when she looked up at him as they danced, her grin stole the breath from his lungs, the song he sang forgotten. Not only did she have a charming pink on her cheeks, but he found delight coloring her pale eyes; not a cloudy sky anymore, but a dusky evening blue.

If he had been distracted by his thoughts before, he was beyond help now.

“Ow.” Marianne suddenly flinched and looked down at their feet beneath them.

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