“You are quite right, Lord Stoneleigh. I have not made the best impression. I am well aware of that.”
“That does not mean that I should have any cause to injure you, however, heedlessly or otherwise. Might you forgive me?”
The music for the next dance slowly began to drift towards her and an idea crept into Sara’s mind. It would be daring, certainly, but she could not help herself from speaking it.
“I should consider granting you my forgiveness, my Lord, if you would be willing to step out and dance with me? I can assure you that I will be a good deal more conversational this time.”
Lord Stoneleigh’s eyebrows lifted, and for a moment, she thought that he was going to refuse her, only for a smile to stretch across his lips as he nodded.
“Very well. I do hope that you enjoy the cotillion?”
“Or we could wait until the next dance, which I believe is a waltz.” The moment she said those words, Sara immediately regretted speaking them. His eyes widened in astonishment as he looked back at her. Why had she said such a thing? It was not only forward, but it was also utterly inappropriate for a lady to suggest that a gentleman step out with her for what was one of the most intimate dances. “I am afraid you must forgive me again, Lord Stoneleigh.” Trying to laugh, she spread both hands. “It is only that the cotillion is –”
“I should be very glad indeed to step out with you for the waltz.”
Lord Stoneleigh did not appear to be as perturbed by her request as she had feared he might be. Instead, he simply smiled at her as she put both hands to her cheeks, as if in a desperate attempt to pull some of the heat from them.
“Forgive me, Lord Stoneleigh, I am a little….”
Her hands dropped as her words tailed off, for she was not sure how to express to him that her feelings at the present moment were causing her a great deal of confusion.
His smile calmed her.
“You need not apologize. It is quite understandable to have a favorite dance. I confess that the cotillion is not one of my own.”
The excuse he offered her allowed Sara a breath of relief.
“I am grateful to you for your understanding,” she murmured. There was no good reason for her to step away from him now, not when the waltz was soon to take place. “I suspect that most gentlemen would have accepted such a request with a little acrimony.”
“Then I must be considered a most willing gentleman,” came the reply, his eyes suddenly twinkling at her. “Allow me to prove myself even more willing by asking what it is that you wished to speak to me about. What question did you have that has been burning in your mind to the point that you are fighting desperately not to ask it of me?”
Sara shook her head, her heart quickening its pace, her hands hot as she curled them lightly.
“I think you understand me a little too well, Lord Stoneleigh,” she replied, somewhat embarrassed by the truth of it. “It is only that I have noticed your absence of late. I had hoped that you were not unwell.” Looking down at her hands, she shrugged lightly. “And I also hoped that my foolishness had not pushed you away from society.”
And my company.
His smile was quick, and he immediately threw out his hands to either side.
“My dear lady,” came the response. “Pray, do not take any guilt upon yourself. You did not push me from society, I assure you. A matter has been troubling me of late, and I have found myself in the very depths of it for the last sennight. I have been doing a great deal of contemplating, and that has kept me from mingling in society. There now, does that satisfy your question?”
Opening her mouth to ask what this particular business was. Sara immediately snapped it shut and nodded.
“Yes, of course.”
Lord Stoneleigh chuckled, and Sara lifted her head to look into his face.
“You wish to ask me what this difficulty was, do you not?”
Dropping her head again, Sara nodded, unable to keep the truth from him. He appeared so calm and contented at this present moment, almost glad to be in her company and speaking in such a genial manner that she found herself longing for the waltz to begin, so that she might be closer to him still.
And then heat rose in her face as she realized exactly what she was hoping for. Had her interest in Lord Stoneleigh truly grown to something as significant as this?
“Alas, I shall not be able to tell you.” Lord Stoneleigh took a small step closer, and Sara lifted her gaze, seeing how he searched her face with his eyes. “I must ask where such interest has come from, Lady Sara.” There was a quietness to his tone which had her mouth going dry. “I am not a gentleman who is known to be of any interest to society. I have been here for some Seasons, and I do not think that anyone has ever paid me as much attention as you. Can I really be so very intriguing?”
Sara gave him a small shake of her head, not quite certain how to answer. What response could she give? Could she truly tell him that she also was finding her interest in him more than a little confusing? That would then mean that she would have to explain the strange feelings in her heart, which she certainly did not want to share with him as yet.
She was saved from answering by the fact that the waltz was announced, and Lord Stoneleigh reached out one hand towards her.
