“Nothing. Mere musings.”
The music began to fade out, and he was grateful. He would leave Delilah after the dance, and then he would have no reason to ask her to dance the rest of the evening.
“Perhaps now that I am returned, Nathaniel, I might help you forget that rudeness and bitterness we spoke of earlier.”
Nathaniel turned to look at her. She was smiling at him, looking utterly pleased to be in his presence. He had no idea why. Two years ago, he had broken the courtship between them and had embarrassed her in front of her parents. Not on that, but right then, he was not treating her very kindly, and he was also watching another woman during the dance.
“No need, Delilah,” he said, and then, when the dance ended, he led her to the edge of the ballroom, let go of her, and bowed. “Thank you very much, Lady Delilah,” he said.
He turned partly away and saw out of the corner of his eyes that Delilah rose from her curtsy. But he didn't wait for her to say anything before he turned away, eager to seek Jane out in the crowd.
Chapter 21
Delilah felt like she was floating on a cloud as she watched Nathaniel walk away. She had no doubt in her mind that she could help him forget his anger and bitterness even though he was trying so very hard to be angry and push her away.
But she knew men. They were her specialty. She remembered the way he used to kiss her. And even if he hadn't realized it, he had squeezed her a little tighter, pulled her a little closer during the dance than was particularly seemly.
Trying to keep her smile contained, she retreated to the refreshment table. When she took a glass of champagne into her gloved hand, she turned to look at the crowd. After that, dance with Nathaniel, everything seemed to be brighter and more beautiful. There was hope. She could feel it.
Not only had he squeezed her hand a little tighter, but he had glanced at her mouth more than once, and she was certain he’d glanced down at her decolletage, which was showing itself to its greatest advantage in that moment in a pink gown, draped in lace.
More than one young man has been staring at me this evening, and it has only just begun.
But she cared little for anyone else. Delilah watched as the next set began. She leaned against the wall and took a sip from her glass. Her mother was right after all in some ways. There were a few people who seemed to be eyeing her strangely, but old acquaintances came to greet her.
There had been a few whisperings of scandal when she'd first left London, but in order to put an end to any terrible rumors, her mother had spread around that she'd been ill. And now, it was only by God's good graces that she had been able to return for this Season.
She'd already had a few people coming to wish her well before the music had begun, happy to see her on her feet again after so long away. Smiling, she moved one hand behind her back and rubbed a finger over the spot where Nathaniel’s large hand had been holding her during the waltz. She could still feel the heat from his palm, and it made her skin tingle.
Soon enough we will be engaged, and everything will go back to the way it was and the way it should be. Nathaniel will look at me as if I am the sun, moon and the stars, and I will be a duchess. Sooner rather than later, I'm sure. She put a finger to her lips to contain her giggle, when a couple of young ladies moved within earshot, whispering to each other.
Keeping her eyes elsewhere, Delilah craned her ears to listen in when heard Nathaniel’s name.
“They make a lovely couple; do you not think? Lord Balwood and Lady Jane Caldwell. They're dancing just there.”
“Oh, you are quite right. They do make a lovely couple,” the other woman said.
Delilah felt like ice had been poured into her veins. She sat up taller, her eyes darting to the dance floor to find Nathaniel. There he was. He was dancing in his dark coat, wonderful broad shoulders with his brown curls at the base of his handsome neck, dancing with another young lady. She couldn't exactly see her face, but then, when the dance turned, she could see her. Dark hair, bright blue eyes, lovely form.
She had heard the name Caldwell. It was on everyone's lips this that Lady Jane Caldwell was going through her first one. And she was to be the heir of her father's fortune as well as her husband. Suitors would be sniffing around her like dogs after fresh meat.
“If I am any guess of couples. I think that we might hear wedding bells soon enough,” the first woman said, and Delilah stared at the ladies in horror.
Certainly not.
“Yes, yes, I think you’re quite right,” the woman’s friend agreed.
Delilah’s grip tightened on her champagne glass, and she finished it quickly, laying it on the table beside her, afraid that she might break it in her anger. The ladies moved away, and she heard no more of their conversation.
Nathaniel soon to be married? And to the woman with the largest dowry in the ton?
Delilah had her own dowry, of course, but it was nothing compared to Lady Jane’s if the rumors were true about the exact number she was to inherit.
When a footman passed, she took another glass of champagne, holding it more gently this time, as she felt the twinge of jealousy in her belly. It had taken hold of her, but only for a moment. She would not let it ruin her evening or any of her plans.
After a few moments, a little smile crossed her face. Delilah Stanhope was not one who gave into jealousy easily. She had never been intimidated before, and she wouldn't start now simply because she'd been forced to stay away from the society for two years.
No, she was still going to win. She was certain that there were plenty of suitors interested in Lady Jane, not only Nathaniel. It would be easy to try to get her out of the way, so to speak.
