She’d let the question roll off her tongue, focusing on his eyes, keeping her posture straight, but not stiff. Andrew had made it clear. She needed to show interest, to ask questions and not just wait for conversation to be handed to her.
"I find myself partial to 'TheSorrowsofYoungWerther'. The emotion in it is quite powerful, don't you think?"
"Oh, I've read that book!" she said with a subtle smile, watching Lord Grove's eyes widen in pleasant surprise. "The way the author captures the torment of unrequited love...it's almost unbearable, isn't it? The way Werther's emotions are so raw, so unapologetically felt."
Lord Grove's smile grew, clearly impressed by her words. "I didn't expect that from someone so young. Few ladies I know would be as familiar with the work."
"It's a good book, Lord Grove," she said.
Lord Grove was undeniably charming. She could see that he was genuinely interested in their conversation, leaning slightly forward, hanging on her every word. For a moment, she allowed herself to feel something she hadn't in a while—desirable. It was such a simple thing, but the fact that someone as attractive and attentive as Lord Grove was showing interest in her made her heart flutter. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this seen, this...noticed.
But despite her growing confidence, there was one thing she hadn't quite mastered—eye contact. She found herself looking at Lord Grove's chest more often than his face, her eyes darting away whenever his gaze locked with hers. She had tried, but each time she caught his eyes, her breath would hitch, and her gaze would fall. It was as if her mind and body were at war, her nerves betraying her in the moments when she needed them most.
Robert cleared his throat. "May I have the pleasure of this dance, Lady Lavinia?"
Lavinia felt her heart skip a beat and she forced herself not to smile brightly. For a moment, she could hardly believe it. Was this it? The romance she so desperately wanted? Was this the first step to a love marriage?
A thrill surged through her, and she almost forgot everything else. She was about to say yes, but just as she opened her mouth, a familiar, commanding voice cut through the music.
"Lady Lavinia," Andrew's voice rang out. "I believe that you owe me a dance."
Lavinia stared at Andrew in disbelief. Was he truly jeopardizing her chance with Lord Grove? Or perhaps he had a lesson he needed to teach her. Perhaps she had made an error he needed to correct. He had informed her that he'd be watching, after all.
She longed to accept Robert's invitation, to let the warmth of his attention sweep her away, but Andrew's lessons had gotten her this far.
"I'm sorry," she murmured to Robert, her face flushing with a mix of guilt and embarrassment. "I must...I must honor my promise."
Lord Grove's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked his disappointment with a polite nod. "Of course, Lady Lavinia. Another time, perhaps." He stepped back, allowing her to turn toward Andrew.
Lavinia couldn't help but feel a bit indignant as she followed Andrew onto the dance floor. As the music swirled around them, she felt his hand firmly on her waist, guiding her through the steps of the waltz.
"You were enjoying that, weren't you?" Andrew said as if he had been reading her mind.
Lavinia looked up at him, meeting his gaze briefly. "I was. It's not often someone is genuinely interested in me," she replied, the frustration evident in her voice.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with something that could only be described as amusement. "That's exactly the problem. You're too eager to be noticed by just one man. Your suitor should think you are someone desired by many."
Lavinia blinked, not sure she had heard him correctly. "What are you talking about?"
"You're not supposed to make yourself available to just any man. Men like Lord Grove—they should see you as someone unattainable. If they think other men want you, they'll compete for your attention. And I make a much better impression than some viscount."
Lavinia was speechless for a moment, the audacity of his words sinking in. "How arrogant can you be?" she finally blurted.
Andrew looked down at her. "You asked for my help," he reminded her. "I'm simply telling you how to play the game."
"Lord Grove seems nice," she stated. "I like how he speaks to me, and he's quite handsome. I'm happy marrying a viscount. I don't think I want to make an impression on every gentleman when I already have my eyes set on one. Besides, I truly mean no offense, Your Grace, but I'd rather not be seen with you all the time. People are bound to talk."
Andrew couldn't suppress a chuckle at her words. He raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk dancing on his lips. "Really, Lavinia? You'd rather not be seen with me?" He let out a low laugh. "That's rich, considering you tried to trap someone in a scandal not too long ago."
A wave of guilt washed over her as the reminder of her actions hit her with full force. "I never thought I would end up doing something so cruel. I guess that is what desperation does to people. I feel terrible for putting you in that position. I never meant to involve you, Your Grace."
"Look at you, Lavinia," he said, his tone teasing. "All serious and contemplative. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were about to start crying."
Lavinia's eyes shot up to meet his, and for a split second, she was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. But then, her lips twitched, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I'm not going to cry," she replied.
"Good. Because I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a crying woman. The last thing I need is you getting all emotional in the middle of this...lovely ballroom."
