With a brief smile, he handed the card back to the lady, only to jerk his hand away when their fingers brushed. The thrill that moment provided began to remind him of a time past when he had been caught up with Lady Margaret. Surely this was not the beginning of asimilarsensation for Miss Millington? He could not permit himself that!
Adam frowned heavily.
Mayhap I ought to have withdrawn rather than pushed forward.A heaviness settled upon him.Surely I will not be so foolish again so soon.
Scowling, he excused himself, citing that the other gentlemen required her attention now and he would return very soon to claim his first dance with her. Shaking his head to himself at his own foolishness, he caught sight of Lord Campbell standing a little further away and, with a small sigh, went towards him.
“You cannot be looking for her already.” Lord Campbell said nothing as Adam lifted an eyebrow. His friend was leaning against one of the stone pillars within the ballroom, a drink in his hand but his gaze sweeping across the room from one side to the next. “Campbell?”
“I do not need to search for her. She is already here. Lord Dennington told me so only a few minutes ago.”
Adam nodded, frowning just a little.
“Then ought you not to be gambling? Staying far from her.”
Lord Campbell’s jaw jutted forward.
“I shall go there soon. Do you see her? She is dancing with Lord Poncily.”
“So now you have seen her, is it not time to turn away from her?” Adam tried to smile, but his friend only scowled all the more. “Come now, what else did you expect from her?” His smile fading, Adam spoke a little more sharply. “It is not as though she is going to attend every ball and refuse to dance, is it? She is, as is every other young lady in London, seeking a match. I am sorry it was not with you but–”
“Why then did she not marry Lord Westerton?” Lord Campbell’s voice was dark. “She was transfixed with him. It was plain for all to see.
“But he was not enamored of her, mayhap.” Taking a breath, Adam chose his words carefully, trying to speak as gently as he could. “It is the state of things, is it not? One must feel an affection or a delight in one’s chosen suitor, while the suitor must also feel such an affection in return. Mayhap Lord Westerton did not feel such a thing and thus, there has been no match made between them. It is now required for her to begin all over again and find someone new.”
Lord Campbell snorted.
“Unless, as I am, you find yourself still drawn to the one person who has caused you such pain,” he stated with a wry smile. “Yes, yes, I suppose what you are saying is quite true, and I am aware of how foolish I am to desire to seek her out again. And yet, despite knowing all of this, I cannot remove myself from this place. I cannot stop watching her dance.”
“I must beg your pardon.”
To Adam’s surprise, none other than Miss Millington was standing just behind him, her gaze dropping away, her cheeks flushed and obviously a little embarrassed to have interrupted them.
“Miss Millington.”
“I do not mean to intrude upon your conversation, but it is time for our dance, Lord Seaton.”
Adam blinked quickly. Had that time arrived already? He had not expected it to be so soon but, then again, he could not even recall what dances he had secured from Miss Millington.
“Oh, of course.”
“Although your friend looks a little troubled.” Miss Millington put a hand on Adam’s arm for a moment. “I shall not insist. Our dance is of very little importance.”
“Of course, you must dance.” Lord Campbell, clearly having overheard the conversation, smiled and then inclined his head towards Miss Millington. “My dear lady, I quite insist that you have your dance together.”
Miss Millington had not removed her hand from his arm, and slowly Adam began to feel a gentle warmth spread from where she held him so lightly. It was not he that she looked at, however, but rather at Lord Campbell, which, strangely enough, added only frustration to Adam’s heart. Pushing that irritation down, he turned and instantly, Miss Millington’s hand dropped from his arm.
Regret flooded him.
“Come, Miss Millington, let us do as Lord Campbell says, and stand up for our dance.”
Eager for the touch of her hand again, he offered her his arm and, with a smile, she took it.
“Very well, Lord Seaton, but as long as you promise to bring me back and introduce me properly to your friend.” Her eyes twinkled and both Lord Campbell and Adam himself smiled. “Formal introductions are quite important, I think.”
“I quite agree.” Lord Campbell chuckled and then nodded to them both. “I look forward to being introduced to you very soon.”
Without any further ado, Adam led Miss Millington to the dance floor, his embarrassment reigniting over the remembrance thatshehad come in search of him so that they might step out together.
