“I understand completely.” Drake chuckled, sliding a glance toward Honoria.
Lady Montgomery announced—perhaps a little too loudly, “Lady Honoria, it seems redheads are the only ones present tonight with backbone.”
Simon’s notorious grin spread across his face.
Murmurs rose again, and one-by-one, women broke from their paralysis and approached their partners. Soon, two full lines with eight pairs each waited for the music to begin. Simon nodded to the orchestra.
Anne had paired with Victor Pratt, and for a moment, Drake wondered if Simon had done that intentionally. Then he saw Lady Miranda dancing with her brother, Lord Montgomery. Both of them appeared ready to break into fits of laughter.
“I fear the duke’s idea may have some unforeseen consequences. Ladies don’t dance with their brothers.” Lady Montgomery nodded toward her husband and sister-in-law. She grinned at Drake. “I shall have to recheck my card to see if my brother, Timothy, is listed. If so, I shall take great joy in stepping on his toes.”
Honoria glanced over, her bright laugh ringing like crystal bells.
Lady Montgomery was such a pleasant distraction, Drake barely remembered to send warning glares in Simon’s direction as he flirted mercilessly with Honoria.
Barely.
But not entirely. As they made one final pass in the country line dance, he whispered. “Stop being charming.”
Simon had the audacity to whisper back. “Can’t help it. It’s in my bones, old man.”
The next set had Honoria paired with Ashton. The set after that, while Drake tried to navigate the dance with Lady Miranda, Honoria was paired with Lord Montgomery. Drake began to see a pattern.
Between sets, he stood by the refreshment table and leaned over to Simon. “Did you pair Honoria with any eligible gentlemen, or should I actually thank you?”
Simon peered over his glass of lemonade, his eyebrows wiggling. “What are you talking about? She danced with me, and as a duke, I’m the most eligible man here.” He sipped his drink, no doubt waiting for Drake’s retort. “Besides, I believe the next set is with you.”
Drake’s heart picked up its pace, and he turned toward the crowd, waiting for Honoria to approach and claim her dance.
Instead, Lady Charlotte strode toward them like a soldier on the first line of battle. She shoved her dance card in Simon’s face. “Here.”
Simon spat out the lemonade. “Good Lord, that must be a mistake.”
“It saysBurwood. Or can’t you read?”
Drake bowed to Lady Charlotte. “If you would both excuse me.”
The wordcowardrose behind him, and he chuckled.
His amusement vanished, and his breath caught as Honoria walked toward him. God, she looked beautiful. He should have said something earlier. He made a promise to remedy that as quickly as possible if the dance pattern allowed.
Loose strands of her hair draped seductively down her neck, and his fingers ached to play with them and test their softness. The décolletage of her dress was just low enough to make his mind whir in inappropriate directions as the creamy swell of her breasts caught his attention.
He decided he liked the design of the new gowns with their tapered waistlines and fuller skirts. Or maybe it was because theyshowed off Honoria’s figure to perfection. Of course, anything would rise to the task when perfection was the starting point.
“Mr. Merrick.” She gave him a shy smile.
Shy?After what they had shared earlier in the day? She had met his kiss with equal fervor. Did she regret it?
“You are to be my next partner,” she said, holding up the card.
“Ah, a quadrille. I believe I’ve mastered the steps of that one, although it’s not my favorite.”
Before he could hold out his arm, Simon and Lady Charlotte walked past—or more accurately, tromped—leaving a trail of grumbled words in their wake.
Not everyone was as pleased with their partner as Drake.
They took a position opposite Simon and Charlotte and waited for others to complete the square. Drake had a suspicion Simon might appreciate a friendly face.
