“Lord Elmsford,” Rachael recalled, remembering the gentleman. “He does not look particularly overjoyed at being taken to us.”
Lady Frederica snorted.
“I care very little for that. If he asks to dance with you, then you willhaveto agree. It is only right!”
There was no time to say anything more, for Lord Blackmore and Lord Elmsford greeted them and Rachael introduced her friends, noting how Lord Elmsford shifted from foot to foot. Either he was distinctly uncomfortable, or he was entirely uncertain as to what was about to occur.
“You see?” Lord Blackmore gestured to Lord Elmsford with a flourish. “I have found the other gentleman. If you will give him your dance card, then Lord Elmsford will sign it. And if I might have your dance card also, Lady Frederica, Miss Fairley? I am sure that we both can step out with all of you. After all, there are a good few dances remaining.” Rachael’s heart leaped so high that she was forced to catch her breath, looking back at Lord Blackmore in stunned silence. The other two ladies were just as surprised as she, given that none of them moved and Lord Blackmore frowned, looking from one of them to the next and then back again. “Is there something the matter?”
“You… you wish to dance with all of us?” Rachael breathed, happiness beginning to fill her heart as Lord Blackmore nodded, his confusion evident in his frown. “Are you quite certain?”
“Yes, of course. We both shall.” Seeing her bright smile, Lord Blackmore’s frown began to lift as he looked back at her. “Does that satisfy you?”
She could not speak for a moment and pulled her dance card from her wrist instead, giving herself time to compose herself.
“Lord Blackmore, Lord Elmsford,” she said, softly, “you are both gentlemen of honor, I am sure of it now. Thank you for this kindness.”
Lord Elmsford took the dance card from her, smiling now and seemingly a good deal more relaxed than he had been some minutes beforehand.
“But of course,” he said, warmly. “Now, let us see which dance I shall take.”
“It is our dance, Miss Simmons.”
Rachael put one hand to her stomach, nervousness flying through her like a hundred butterflies.
“It is?”
She had been more than a little astonished when Lord Blackmore had written his name down for the waltz, wondering if he had truly meant to do such a thing but when she had queried it, he had simply smiled.
Perhaps there was more to this gentleman than she had first anticipated.
“You look uncertain.”
“I am,” she admitted, quickly. “It is quite a thing to be standing up with a gentleman to waltz when I have been spending most of this evening hidden in the shadows.”
Lord Blackmore smiled and put one hand out to her.
“I understand. But are you ready to dance, Miss Simmons?”
Licking her lips, Rachael pushed aside her nervousness and took his hand, swallowing at the tightness in her throat when he lifted her hand to settle it on his arm. With a lift of his chin, he walked forward, leading her to the dance floor, and Rachael kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, not allowing herself to look left or right for fear of what – or who – she might see glaring back at her.
“Were you this anxious when you danced with Lord Elmsford?”
Rachael nodded, her stomach now beginning to twist itself this way and that.
“Yes, I was, though I have never before been anxious about dancing the cotillion!”
Lord Blackmore chuckled at this, seemingly quite at ease, his eyes twinkling.
“Then you need have no concern about the waltz, I assure you. We may garner one or two glances, yes, but they can be ignored.” The light faded from his eyes as he looked away. “Thetonshould not treat youso disproportionately when both you and I have suffered from attacks by the same rumors. I confess that I did not even think about the impact upon you, not until the moment when I was in conversation with a few others and Lady Hastings spoke so callously, it was difficult to even listen to.” Turning his head back to look at her, he smiled quietly. “You asked me if I would do anything to help resolve the situation. I did not realize that there was a need for me to do so, not until after that conversation. I am glad to dance with you now, Miss Simmons. I only hope it will be of help.”
“It may be,” she murmured, a little surprised at how much her heart had softened towards him, given his actions towards her now. “I thank you, Lord Blackmore. This may be precisely what is needed.”
“Let us hope so!”
The music began at the same time as a smile spread across his face and, before she knew it, Rachael found herself caught up in his arms. One hand was in hers, the other settled at her waist, and his guiding steps were leading her in the waltz as they danced across the ballroom floor. Rachael’s heart grew a little faster, worried about what those watching might think, worried about what they might say, her gaze darting all around the ballroom.
“Do not look at them.” Her eyes went to Lord Blackmore’s face. The smile that had settled there still remained, though it was gentle now, his eyes searching hers. “You are still anxious,”he continued, his steps every sure as they danced together. “I can feel the tension in your frame. Look only at me, Miss Simmons. Do your best to forget those around you.”
