“The music begins.” Lifting his head from a bow, Lord Seaton stepped forward. “And now we are to prove to thetonthat either wecanrecall the waltz and can dance it perfectly, or,” he continued, one hand going to her waist, “we shall show ourselves to be the very worst dancers in all of London, and shall become a laughing stock.”
Constance tried to laugh, but the sound became trapped, her tension rising so rapidly that she was breathing very hurriedly before the dance had even begun. Was this how it felt to waltz with a gentleman? Was this why her heart was so flooded with delight?
The music took them away together and there was suddenly no more time to think. Lord Seaton led her through the dance, and she went with him, only for her anxiety to begin to fade away, unraveling itself behind her as she was turned all around the dance floor. Lord Seaton too fell silent, for while it was usual for there to be a little conversation during the dance, on this occasion it seemed that neither of them could speak. Constance looked up into his eyes, watching him as he led her this way and that with great confidence. She did not even have to think about what she was doing, for they moved effortlessly together, and perhaps, she considered, he too might feel the same delight as she did at this moment.
His eyes were like the sky when the very first stars appear, a light shining from within them. There was no smile on his face, yet his eyes danced, and Constance became entranced. It was as though he pulled her into his spell, the power of his presence capturing her. She did not care in the least bit about anyone else, did not care a jot that her mother would be watching her with sharp eyes and, no doubt, a delighted smile. She forgot about Lord Seaton’s teasing about their dance steps, and forgot her own worries, for there was nothingtofear, not when she was dancing with Lord Seaton.
“It seems as though I did not fail you.”
The dance was over before she felt it had even begun. When he bowed and released her, she stumbled a little, falling backward and forcing Lord Seaton to grasp her arm to steady her.
“Forgive me.” Mortified at her own lack of composure, she slid her arm from his hand but grasped his fingers instead, using his strength to aid her as she curtsied. “I will admit to being a little dizzy.”
“I quite understand.” With a smile, Lord Seaton offered her his arm. “The waltz can induce such feelings, I think. One does not go around and around and around without consequence!”
Relieved at his understanding, she laughed and put her arm through his, allowing him to lead her back toward her mother.
“You certainly did not let me down, Lord Seaton. I believe that was the very best waltz I have ever danced.”
Managing to regain herself, she offered him the heavy compliment, which he accepted with a broad smile while being entirely unaware that she had not danced the waltz with any other gentleman as yet.
“How very kind of you to say so. I am personally delighted that it went so very well.” His eyes found hers, his smile softening just a little, his voice a little quieter also. “I do hope that it is a dance we can repeat on another occasion. Let it not be our last waltz together, Miss Millington. I should very much like to step out again with you soon… but only if that is something which would please you.”
The smile on his face now faded entirely, his eyes widening a little as if he were afraid that her answer would be negative.
“Yes, it would. I should be truly delighted.”
With a sudden leap of her heart, she smiled up at him and, as she gave her eager reply, Lord Seaton’s smile returned with such brightness, it stole her breath. Lord Seaton was, she considered, handsome, amiable, gentle, and kind.
Perhaps the sort of gentleman I might find myself in love with after all.
Chapter Nine
“You have had some replies.” Lady Yardley beamed as Constance caught her breath, her hand flying to her mouth. “Goodness, I did not think you would be so surprised! It is just as I expected.” Rising, she walked across the room to a small table and took from it a silver tray, which held a small stack of letters. Bringing it to Constance, she set it down on the table between them. “You see?”
“I amtrulydelighted.” Constance clasped her hands together so that she would not reach out to take the letters from the tray. “How many have there been?”
Lady Yardley laughed quietly.
“Many more than this, but from the seals upon some of them, I knew at once that the gentleman who had written the letter would not be genuine in their desire so, thus, those letters were removed from the group you see here.”
Constance nodded eagerly, not in the least bit frustrated.
“Yes of course. I quite understand.”
“I am relieved to hear it. Thus, I have narrowed these letters down to six. I am sure more will come, but these are the six I suggest you read to begin with. I have not read them, of course, but have left them sealed for your eyes.” Lady Yardley gestured to the ones on the table. “They are all for you, and the seals are from gentlemen of the nobility, all of whom have excellent reputations.”
Leaning forward, Constance picked up the first, only to turn it over and see that it had no seal at all pressed into the wax.
“And what of this?”
Lady Yardley frowned.
“That is one I do not know about.” Her head tilted “The address here is written by a very fine hand, but there is no seal on it. I did not want to hold it back from you since it is addressed to you, but might I suggest that you read it with great caution. I cannot be certain of what is contained within.” She shrugged. “Or mayhap it will have the gentleman’s name and I will be able to tell you whether he is worthy or not.”
Constance nodded, then chose to set it aside. Picking up the next letter, she broke the seal and spread it open, relieved that it was only Lady Yardley and herself present at this moment. While she appreciated her friend’s willingness to be of assistance, she did not want them to coo over every letter she received. It would be up to her to decide which gentleman she would pursue - if any.
“This first one is from Lord Humphries.” She read the few lines, then smiled. “He is very brief, but he states that he has been searching for a bride for some time. He has said that his only requirement is that she has a heart open to all matters of love.”
