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“Yes,” she finally whispered. “I would love to.”

Thank goodness.

Verity’s gloved hand slipped in to his and they made their way on to the dance floor. As they took their places, Philip was acutely aware of the curious glances and whispered speculations of those around them. A marquess and a spinster, they would probably be saying. How strange… But he did not care. Not one bit. This was where he wanted to be.

Philip steeled himself against the attention, focusing entirely on Verity. Her presence was a salve to his frayed nerves, her touch sending a spark of warmth through him. As they began to waltz, he felt the world narrow down to just the two of them, the chatter and stares of the ton fading in to the background.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation,” Philip said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

Verity gave a small, hesitant smile. “It’s my pleasure, Lord Easton.”

They moved gracefully together, their steps in perfect sync. For a moment, Philip forgot all about his mother’s schemes and the pressures of society. Here, with Verity in his arms, everything felt right. He was no longer concerned with eyes upon him, only the woman in his arms.

“I must confess,” Philip began, his voice low and earnest, “I have been wanting to talk to you since our last meeting. I enjoyed our conversation immensely.”

Verity’s eyes softened, a hint of a blush coloring her cheeks. “As did I. It was a welcome respite from the usual dull chatter.”

He chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words.

“I am glad to hear it. I have found myself thinking about your insights on art and your passion for literature. It’s rare to find someone so well versed and genuinely interested.”

Verity’s smile grew more confident. “Thank you, Philip. It means a lot to hear that from you.”

Philip felt a rush of relief at Verity’s response, reassured by her genuine smile. As they continued to dance, their conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving between topics of mutual interest and shared experiences.

Verity spoke animatedly about her favorite paintings, describing the emotions they evoked in her with a clarity that captivated Philip. They moved with practiced ease across the polished floor, drawing admiring glances from some and speculative whispers from others.

Philip noticed the raised eyebrows and whispered comments but remained steadfastly focused on Verity. Her presence enveloped him, making the rest of the room fade in to insignificance.

As the music swirled around them, Philip realized how much he cherished this moment with Verity. It was a rare instance of finding someone who understood him beyond the constraints of polite society, someone who shared his passions and appreciated his company.

“I must admit,” Philip began, a touch of vulnerability in his voice, “I have not felt this at ease in a long time.”

Verity’s eyes softened, her expression tender. “Nor have I, my lord.”

The final notes of the waltz lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder that their time together was drawing to a close. Philipand Verity came to a graceful stop as the music concluded, their hands still clasped together. Despite the lingering gazes and hushed whispers around them, Philip found himself reluctant to release Verity’s hand. He was acutely aware of the warmth it brought him, a stark contrast to the chilly atmosphere of this ballroom.

“Thank you, Lady Verity,” Philip murmured sincerely, his gaze fixed on hers. “For granting me this dance and for your delightful company.”

Verity’s smile was radiant, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and something deeper that Philip dared not name just yet.

“The pleasure was entirely mine, Lord Easton. I... I did not expect to find such understanding and kindness tonight.”

Philip’s heart swelled with a rush of emotion at her words. He had hoped to make her evening a bit brighter amidst the rigidity of their social world.

“You deserve nothing less than genuine respect and admiration, Lady Verity.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, oblivious to the scrutiny of the on lookers. Philip wanted to savor this fleeting moment, to extend it for as long as he could. But of course, he could not. Philip felt a pang of regret as he gently guided Verity back to her mother’s side. He wanted to hold on to this moment, to keep the connection they had forged from slipping away.

As they reached Lady Sinclair, Philip bowed gracefully. “Thank you for the dance, Lady Sinclair. It has been an evening I shall not soon forget.”

Verity curtsied, her eyes meeting his with a promise of more to come. “Nor shall I, my lord.”

Lady Sinclair observed the exchange with a keen eye, her expression unreadable.

“My lord,” she said, inclining her head in acknowledgment. “We are honoured by your presence.”

Philip responded with a courteous nod, his thoughts still lingering on Verity. “The pleasure was mine, Lady Sinclair. I hope to see you both again soon.”