A strange squint narrowed her eyes, like she did not know whether to laugh or frown harder at him. “It was an accident. Ink was involved.”
“Now, might you tell me something I had not already guessed?” He chuckled, just as the music faded and dancers began to leave the floor. Daniel, however, seemed to be staying put with his unknown partner, the two of them deep in shy conversation.
For a moment, Lady Leah just stared at Nathaniel, her head slightly tilted as if trying to figure him out. He stared back, unable to draw his gaze away from those astonishing eyes. Up close, they were even more disarming, like he was staring right into the eyes of a predator that had not yet decided if it was going to eat him or let him go—but a beautiful predator which made it all the stranger.
“Nathaniel!” a shrill voice cut through the quiet moment. His mother had found him.
His heart jolted, and before he knew what he was doing, he was dragging Lady Leah toward the dance floor, seconds before the orchestra began again. Indeed, he only had time to hiss an earnest, “Forgive me,” before the music struck up, and the lead couple called out for another lively country dance.
CHAPTERFIVE
It was all her own fault, Leah knew, as she hurried to keep up with the dance that she had been thrown into. She had been certain that it was Daniel who had come through the hidden door in the refreshment room, only realizing her mistake when she was already practically nose-to-nose with the fellow. Her eyesight had always been atrocious in low light, and with the gentleman’s height, pale skin, dark hair and wine-colored tailcoat, he had looked exactly like Daniel.
Like a vampire,she mused, for the ladies of thetonswooned over Daniel, conjuring romantic rumors that he was not entirely of this Earth—an immortal, otherworldly being that they could not resist.
The same was somewhat true of this mysterious Nathaniel.
Standing opposite him as they swept forward and back, ebbing like a graceful tide, she noticed he was taller than Daniel, who danced with a different partner a few couples away. Nathaniel’s skin was not as pale, either, still showing a hint of the browning that he must have gained through the bygone summer. It made him seem… warmer and more vital, especially set against hair of the darkest black and eyes to match which could easily have given the impression of coldness. In Leah’s humble opinion, he was even more handsome than Daniel though most of thetonwould have disagreed.
“Thank you,” he said in a smooth, silky voice as they stepped closer to one another and bent from side to side, their hands flowing outward.
She raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“For not slapping me as hard as possible across the cheek, and for not bowing out of this dance,” he replied, smiling. He had a lovely smile, his teeth perfect, his full lips made for smiling. “I would not have blamed you. Truly, I am not usually so… boorish.”
She stepped around him in a half circle, coming back to her original position in front of him. “There is still time. Perhaps, I am simply waiting for the ink to dry.”
“But if you do that, how will people know who has struck me for my insolence?” he teased. “It would be like a brand.”
She managed a small smile. “I am not in the habit of resorting to violence. You are fortunate, but let us both hope that Daniel vouches for your propriety as you promised he would.” Her smile faded slightly. “I cannot afford an embarrassment.”
Anotherembarrassment…
As she turned another half-circle around Nathaniel, her gaze flitted to the other side of the room, searching for any sign of Jonathan and Dorothy. She was certain they had followed her out of the refreshment room and was fully expecting to see Jonathan laughing at her, no doubt convinced that she had just wandered off with the first gentleman she had found, which she had. Instead, she saw Jonathan scowling, his lip curled in a nasty grimace that seemed to be worrying his young wife. She kept stroking his arm to gain his attention, but his cold gaze was fixed upon Leah and her unexpected dancing partner.
Does he not realize it was all a ruse gone awry?Her heart leaped with hope that she had managed to fox him though there was still a very obvious, very large hole in her scheme. Daniel would have played along beyond a dance, pretending he was Leah’s beloved until the end of the night for the sake of Olivia and Evan. This gentleman likely would not. Indeed, she did not even know who he was.
“Should I dance more sedately?” Nathaniel asked. “Is it my footwork that might embarrass you? I admit, the country dances are not my forte. I gain two left feet in such things.”
Leah frowned at the handsome man. “Who are you?”
“Nathaniel,” he replied. “Did I not mention that already?”
“Yes, butwhoare you?”
“Ah, the important details.” He flashed a wry grin. “I am the Duke of Bergfield, but there is no need to refer to me as “Your Grace.” After the indignity I have made you suffer, I require no honorifics.”
Leah’s eyes widened. “A… Duke?”
“Have you never met one before? I assure you, we are much the same as ordinary folks though we do hang upside down at night to sleep, and we must always be cautious of hiding our leathery wings from public view,” he replied, laughing softly as he twirled in a circle.
She echoed the movement, catching sight of Jonathan once more as she spun. He looked furious.Is it because I am dancing with a duke?The possibility pleased her immeasurably.Does he think I am hopelessly in love with a duke, ranked so high above him?It was too delicious—and altogether too riddled with obstacles, for she knew she would never be able to get a duke to pretend to be her beloved.
“What of your fangs?” she replied, deciding to enjoy herself for as long as the dance lasted. Perhaps, that would be enough to convince Jonathan that the affection was real. “You do not bite, do you?”
Nathaniel pretended to bare his teeth. “I rarely bite unless provoked.”
“A pity.”
