“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed.
“Ah, did you accept this dance just to reprimand me?”
“Yes!” she snapped as they reached the edge of the dance floor. “You are simply still trying to sabotage my attempts at finding a husband. I have given you a fair chance tonight. I have not interrupted your conversation with Lady Frederica, so why have you interrupted my conversation with Lord Chilmond?”
“Yes, yes, because you looked so delighted by his company, did you not?” His wryness made her groan.
As the last set of music finished, Stephen drew her onto the dance floor.
“Wait, what?” she mumbled. “I did not think you were being serious. I know you hate dancing. The one Christmas when my mother made you dance at our Yuletide ball, you complained for half the evening.”
“I have my reasons.” He bowed to her as the opening music began. When the distinctive three-time beat started up, he hid his grimace.
Oh, God. I have asked her for a waltz.
The same panic appeared on her face as she finished curtseying. She did not walk toward him but appeared ready to dart out of the dance floor at the earliest opportunity. Instead, he approached her and took her hand , leading her into the opening set of the dance.
Dorothy flinched at his touch and trained her gaze somewhere in the middle of his chest. Her cheeks were so red, Stephen could only think of the night in his chamber beside the fire and how close he had come to kissing her then. She’d borne the same blush that night.
“This is not a fair wager,” she said simply, staring at his chest.
“You wouldn’t like it if I made it fair, would you? You like our games, Dorothy. Even if you pretend not to.”
His jibe succeeded in making her look up at him.
“Ah, there’s the usual Dorothy. Go on, argue with me now. I know you wish to.”
“You imagine I enjoy your company far more than I actually do. Hardly surprising, isn’t it?” She gave a small smirk. “You have always been quite arrogant.”
“You are the only one who has ever called me arrogant.” He swept her around the room, moving with more vigor now. “Your mother called me benevolent, and a kind-hearted soul.”
“Well, my mother saw the best in everyone.” She shrugged, her hands clutching him a little tighter. He tried not to think of the warmth of her palm in his, but it was impossible. She had not worn long white gloves as many ladies did, and he was thankful for it. Somehow, it made the dance seem more intimate.
“I knew you’d say that.” He chuckled lightly. The icy atmosphere that had settled between them a minute ago now seemed lighter. “Was I not kind to you with my gifts? I bought you a Christmas gift every year.”
“As I did you, even when I told my mother you would not appreciate them,” Dorothy countered, growing more and more in her confidence.
Stephen was drawn in by her self-assurance and that lifted chin. He was reminded of how she had turned from him the day before, telling him their discussion was at an end. Far from seeming like the rebellious child she had once been, she had shown dignity and stateliness.
She seemed like a duchess.
This thought made him smile a little more.
“You are smiling,” she observed. “I can only observe that for all your resentment of me being the sister of your dearest friend, you did like the gifts then.”
“They weren’t the worst presents in the world.”
“Oi,” she said with spirit, and he laughed.
“Well, you gave me new leather folders for my business affairs one year. You must have paid attention to the fact that I said the old ones were in tatters,” he said softly, still marveling at how she had noted this and then produced the gift at Christmas.
“You gave me books on the wilderness and botany,” she whispered, nodding slowly, going back to staring at the center of his chest. “They were quite good gifts.”
“A compliment?” he teased.
“Perhaps you and I are sharing a few compliments on this trip, as well as many insults, of course,” she said with her usual playful tone. “We cannot forget ourselves completely, can we?”
“Indeed not.” His voice deepened, and he didn’t think much of it.
