Page 21 of Ironvine

Charles’s face stiffened,and he released her hand. Hugh had found them.

Just as she’d hoped he would.

Georgina’s back straightened, her lips deepening into a brilliant smile. Up close she saw the facial features that the Earl shared with his brother, but on Hugh, they were thicker, bolder strokes, not as refined. And while Charles had a certain cool disdain to his demeanor, Hugh had a positively devilish, warm, and unabashed way about him. He grinned at her, his head tilting. Quite devilish.

“Hugh, this is Miss Georgina. You might remember her from our childhood in Gloucestershire. Philippa and Thomas’s younger sister.”

“Ah, yes. Georgina. Of course.” He took her hand in his and kissed it. “My, how the years have passed, and gloriously so.”

Her lips parted at his lingering touch and at his appreciative zesty gaze in order to convey her being overwhelmed by him. That’s what this occasion called for, and she knew that’s what men like Hugh wanted to see.

Charles cleared his throat. “Miss Georgina, my brother—the Earl of Ryvves.”

Hugh released her hand, and she bowed her head slowly. “A pleasure, my lord.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” His low, rich voice sent a tingle through her middle. Hugh spread out an arm. “Look who I found, Charles, and I’ve brought her to you to claim a dance—our cousin, Alice.”

Charles’s face went stony. “Alice.” He bowed his head.

Alice let out a sharp giggle. “Charles.”

“Miss Georgina, this is our cousin, Alice Dunsmore.”

“We’ve met before.” Georgina bowed her head.

“How wonderful to see you again, Miss Georgina,” said Alice in her thin voice.

Hugh loomed over Georgina. “And I have found a new dance partner. Miss Georgina, shall we?”

“My lord.”

Charles moved out of their way, and they proceeded to the dance floor with Alice and Charles behind them. A wide swathe was cut for their approach, and Georgina’s heart beat faster under the weight of hundreds of eyes feasting upon them. She noticed Charlotte and Harriet whispering as they watched them.

Dancing with Hugh Montclare was a whirlwind. He was a most excellent partner. His eyes shone as they held hers. Indeed, they never strayed. She felt as if she were under a bright heavy light in his presence, but his touch was firm yet delicate, guiding. He knew every step, never faltered.

They conversed. They laughed. “I daresay, Lady Appleton’s feathered hat may fall off her head at any moment. Shall we take bets on when and who will be the unlucky one to step on it in the line? Perhaps she is also wearing a wig this evening?”

“Then that too shall go flying along with the hat.”

He laughed.

The dance over, she turned to thank him and take her leave, but he only brought his body closer to hers. “Oh, don’t leave me now. You cannot abandon me thus, sweet girl.”

“Ah, but I must, my lord. We would be making a spectacle of ourselves.”

“I would love to make a spectacle with you.”

“Would you?”

A noise escaped his throat. “You are a delightful creature, and I would brave a dark forest of odious tongues and lascivious lies for you.”

A shiver raced up her spine at his intriguing, dramatic turn of phrase in her favour. “I thank you, but I must find my brother. I’d promised him this dance.” She smiled cooly as she delivered her lie.

He bowed his head most gracefully. “Very well. But I shall find you again, I promise you that. I require more from you.” He lifted her hand to his lips, his gaze remaining on hers with a look that spoke of something secret only they shared. “Much more. You must come back to me soon. You’ve spoilt me for any other partner. I want no other.”

“My lord. I would not want you to go unsatisfied.”

His eyes flared. “Ah. I shall hold you to that, Miss Georgina.”

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