Jane hadn’t truly looked at him until that moment. She regarded him now as he reached up a hand to push an errant strand of blond hair that seemed to be only inches away from poking his dark brown eyes. He pushed the lock into place and smiled at her again.
He was a handsome man, tall and strong. Many women would be lucky to have his attentions focused on them and yet, she wished for it to be anywhere but on her, because regardless of his good looks, there was something about his stares that she found rather unsettling. Something about the way he looked her made it impossible for her to see past that enough to admire his person.
“She has a space in her card for the next dance, Lord Lewis,” her father said eagerly, although his eyes shot daggers at Jane.
Jane had not realized that she had been staring at the man without saying a word for quite some time. She nodded, still unable to get her lips to function and speak the words she needed. Perhaps it was because she knew she would only secure her father’s ire if she said something.
“Splendid. Shall we?” he grinned, offering her his hand.
“Certainly, my lord.”
She placed her hand in his, grimacing before allowing it to melt into a smile she did not feel.
As the dance began, Jane allowed herself to be led, uncomfortable as he pulled her close and yet, not wishing to cause a scene.
“I must admit, when your father broached the topic of securing a match between his daughter and I, I did not expect you to lookthe way you did. I had only agreed to this out of respect for him but now…”
He paused as he looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on her body in a manner that made her feel like she was naked. Jane bit the inside of her cheek until she could taste blood as she struggled to not rip her hands from his and cover herself up.
“Now, I’m glad that I did,” he grinned at her. “I cannot wait to know you better.”
Something about the way he said it let her know that he did not mean to have conversations with her. She shivered in disgust and his grin widened, misunderstanding her reaction.
“I fear I am not much of an interesting person,” she said, deliberately acting obtuse.
He looked her up and down again, his eyes lingering at the wideness of her hips.
“Forgive me, my lady, but I find thatvery difficult to believe,”he said, emphasizing his words to an annoying degree.
She managed to flash him a faint grin, already tired of this conversation. Jane had not spoken much so she wouldn’t say anything that would jeopardize her father’s plan. She was, however, about to reply him when their attention was drawn to a man yelling at a woman who seemed to be his wife.
It was embarrassing, but Lord Lewis looked impressed by the man’s dominance. Most of the men there did.
“A woman must know her place at all times,” he said, turning to face her.
Her brows furrowed as a slight frown appeared on her face.
“But she did not do anything to warrant the embarrassment,” Jane said to him, trying to control the annoyance swelling within her.
“Just because you did not see it, doesn’t mean that she didn’t do it.” He clearly saw nothing wrong with the man’s behavior.
She was tempted to say what she was thinking, exactly the way she was thinking it. However, doing that would only make things worse.
“A woman should never speak when the man is speaking unless she is told to do so, don’t you agree?” he added with an annoying grin, making her wonder what it was that he found amusing.
“I’m a woman and I am speaking with you,” she said to him, trying to make a point and also get an insight of the type of man he was even though she already had a clue.
“Indeed, you are. But I am indulging you, am I not?” His gaze pierced through her eyes and he added after her silence. “I’mhoping that you’re nothing like that woman, because that would be a shame. I love my women submissive, pleasing only me.”
The way he spoke was quite alarming, like he was sending a subtle message to her, a threat perhaps. His expression went blank after his speech and she could see that he was starting to get upset. Maybe the thought of her not being the woman he wanted was the reason for the change in his mood.
Jane pushed her head back, looking at the man that she was going to tie the knot with. Disbelief flickered in her eyes and all she wanted was to get as far away from him as possible. She obviously would not last long in his house with her attitude. Jane was not the type of woman to not talk back and since that was the type of woman he wanted, then there was a problem.
She refrained from shivering in disgust once again as she counted the seconds before the song came to an end.
She ripped her hands from his and curtseyed hurriedly, ignoring the surprise in his gaze as she shepherded him back to her family.
“Thank you for the dance, my lord,” she said, standing with her sister.
