She took a moment to wash up before hurrying downstairs to the music room, where the Duke of Bromleigh was waiting for her. She paused at the threshold, hoping to calm the flutter in her stomach before she marched through the open door.
This Silver Duke was going to teach her to dance the waltz.
How was she ever to maintain her composure, especially when in his arms? “Here I am, Your Grace.”
He smiled as she walked toward him. “Good—we haven’t much time, so let’s get started right away. I’ll teach you the waltz first, since this is a dance you have yet to learn. The others, the quadrille, gavotte, reels, will likely come back to you with or without our taking the time to refresh your recollection of them.”
“All right. What are we to do for music?”
“You said you can sing.”
“This evening’s recital will be quite painful for all of you if I can’t,” she said in jest.
His smile and resonant chuckle in response simply melted her insides. “How about you hum us a waltz as we go through the steps?”
She nodded. “All right.”
He had taken off his jacket and opened up the doors leading onto the terrace in order to allow in a breeze. As he approached to take her in his arms, she made a quick assessment of his appearance.
Dear heaven.The man was sinfully handsome.
He wore dark trousers, a silverish-green waistcoat, and a dark green cravat that contrasted beautifully with the crisp white lawn of his shirt. Those hues brought out the deep green of his eyes and dashes of silver in his dark hair.
He looked marvelously broad in the shoulders and trim at the waist, his physique exquisite enough to make any young woman swoon.
“Um, Your Grace…” she said as he took her in his arms.
“Yes, Cherish?”
“I don’t mind humming us a tune, but I would prefer to go over the steps first.”
“Very well.”
Tingles shot through her when he casually placed an arm around her waist and drew her to him. He seemed quite big and powerful when up this close. “Put this hand on my shoulder,” he instructed her.
“Like this?” She was surprised by how solid he felt.
“Perfect. Now put your other hand in mine.”
More tingles shot through her as his warm hand wrapped around hers.
“Now we are going to take three steps in fast succession and then a twirl. As I move my right foot forward, you’ll move your left foot back.”
They tried it several times before she caught on and managed it effortlessly.
“The object is to move in a greater circle around the room, but also to spin in a smaller circle within our own private orbit.”
She smiled up at him. “I understand.”
He smiled back with devastating effect to her composure. “You are doing beautifully.”
Dear heaven.
Dear heaven.
Dear heaven.
She could get used to being in his arms.
