Rebecca swallowed, knowing she had said too much. She longed to tell him that she wished for the two of them to be more than just friends, that they could indulge in such moments as she had just witnessed between Eliza and Lord Herberton, but it was not to be. The man she had fallen for was a known rake, a man who would never bestow his heart on a woman. Had he not declared to her that he was incapable of falling in love?
“Foolish ones, Your Grace. That is all we need to discuss.”
The Duke was clearly not intending to let the matter go, but before another word could be uttered between them, Lady Esther and her sisters had arrived at their side and were insisting the Duke return to them. As he agreed to walk with them around the garden, Rebecca was startled to find he didn’t release her arm. No, he took her with him.
* * *
“A dance! Surely, we must.” Alexander was insistent, much to Lady Eliza’s delight who stood up beside him.
“Allow me to provide the music.” Lady Birkston was on her feet too.
Timothy was startled, trying to snap his gaze away from where he had been staring at Lady Rebecca beside him. Dinner had long past, and it seemed in the candlelight guests were not so keen on the idea of another night spent reading and playing cards. Oh no, there was a call for dancing amongst their small party!
Lady Birkston hurried to the piano, eager to provide the music, as Alexander offered his hand to Eliza’s.
“What of a cotillion?” Lady Birkston offered.
“Oh, no, Mama, let it be a waltz.” At Lady Eliza’s words, she blushed. Even from where Timothy sat, he could see Alexander tighten his hold on Lady Eliza’s hand at these words.
Wait…is there an understanding between them? Has a betrothal been made?
Timothy could see that something had certainly changed between them. Lord Melbury and George quickly helped with moving one of Alexander’s tables to the side and a rug was rolled up by the butler. Within seconds, a floor space was cleared in the parlor, small but apt for their party. When all was clear, Lord and Lady Melbury took to the floor, along with Alexander and Lady Eliza.
“Nothing so lovely as dancing, is there not, Your Grace?” Lady Esther asked as she sat down on the other side of Timothy. He flinched at her closeness, rather startled by it, though he was not surprised at her words, nor her eager stare. It was apparent she was angling for an invitation to dance.
Timothy glanced his mother’s way, seeing she was eagerly nodding her head at him, encouraging him to ask Lady Esther.
Yet I do not want to dance with her.
Timothy couldn’t fight the longing inside of him. He lifted his hand to the lady sat on the other side of him.
“Lady Rebecca? Would you care to dance?”
She looked up to him so startled, he laughed.
“You’d think I’d asked you to jump around the room like a frog.” At his words, she giggled.
“I suppose I was startled you asked me,” she whispered to him, so only he could hear her as she placed his hand in his.
She’s saying yes!
“You should not be surprised,” he whispered back, leading her to her feet and to the created dancing space. “You must know by now there is no other company in this room I cherish as much as yours.”
“There is that charm of yours again.” She laughed, though she shook her head in disapproval.
With the opening bars of the waltz, they took their bow and curtsy, then he took hold of her. At once, her laughter died. Timothy quite forgot the room was there at all, or that people were watching them dance together. All he could think about was Lady Rebecca’s waist beneath his fingers, and how softly her hand was placed in his other palm.
“You are quiet today,” she whispered when they were part way through their dance. “You like to talk usually when we dance.”
“Today, I am simply enjoying dancing with you. Is that such a wonder?”
“It is.”
“Try the view from my side sometime, my Lady. You’ll see why I enjoy it so much.” His words made her smile flicker, before he had to bring her closer to him to avoid colliding with Lord and Lady Melbury in the small space. He could hear her breath hitch at that closeness and the blush on her cheeks. Recognizing those signs, Timothy grew breathless.
She is as affected by me as I am her.
Any wish he had to talk vanished, instead, Timothy thought only of the dance. As he gazed at Lady Rebecca, she seemed just as enamored, staring back up at him. Occasionally in their dance he would tighten his hold on her, a stolen moment of intimacy in this public affair that he prayed no one noticed. Their onlookers certainly seemed too busy talking to one another to be really focusing on them.
