However, she refused to dwell on the possibility because it would only lead to pain. Despite Fiona’s schemes to match her to this Silver Duke, it wasn’t going to happen, since he had made it eminently clear he wanted her for his nephew.
Which meant she could never free her heart to hope forhim.
“Are you ready, Cherish? Start humming a waltz.”
She laughed and nodded. “All right, here we go.”
Her tune and their dance worked surprisingly well, and they had little difficulty circulating about the room in time to the music. She was surprised by how well their bodies seemed to understand each other. He had only to apply the slightest pressure of his hand to the small of her back to turn her this way or that. He knew how and when to guide their movements to create an effortless flow.
They were dancing as one, holding on to each other and lost in their private world. She supposed this was why matrons considered the waltz so dangerous. Hearts were lost with this dance, as hers was in danger of surrendering to his now.
She stopped singing, pretending she forgot the rest of the tune because she would lose herself to him completely if this kept up a moment longer.
They now stood unmoving in each other’s arms.
Panic overcame her. “How was it, Your Grace? Was my dancing passable?”
He released her and raked a hand through his hair. “Excellent. You have a natural grace and ability. Let’s move on to the next dance.”
She nodded, relieved he had stepped away to cut that surprisingly strong bond between them. Had he felt it, too? She dared not call it a bond of attraction, for people did not fall in love over a simple dance.
“You have a lovely voice, by the way,” he said, raking a hand through his hair again as he studied her.
“Thank you.”
They went through the steps of a few other popular dances, none as intimate as the waltz. But for Cherish, these dances felt almost worse, because each touch was brief and teasing, and that left her hungrier for his next momentary touch.
They were about to go over the steps of the quadrille when Reggie strolled in. “Uncle Gawain, there you are. What are you two up to?”
“We are just finishing a dance lesson,” Cherish said. “Mine, sadly. I haven’t danced in quite a while. Your uncle was attempting to help me out.”
“What fun. May I join you? I adore dancing,” Reggie said, stepping to her side. “Which ones have you yet to go through? I can help teach you, since your tutor appears to be tiring. Uncle, have a seat and rest your weary bones while I take over. You don’t mind, do you? It must be a relief to get off your tired feet.”
Cherish stifled the urge to laugh, for the duke appeared ready to bludgeon his nephew for the smart remark.
Tiring, indeed. The man could go on for several hours more without breaking a sweat, he was in that good a shape. But Cherish did enjoy the way Reggie managed to tweak him. Was itnot the point of this exercise to make herself competent enough to gain Reggie’s notice?
And now she had his undivided attention, so why not take advantage of the unexpected opportunity?
“That would be lovely, Lord Burton,” she said before the duke snarled at his nephew and chased him out. “I noticed you dancing the other night, and you were divine.”
“Really?” Reggie preened.
“Yes, easily the best man on the dance floor.” She did not mention that most of his friends were not sober enough to stand up straight those first nights before the Silver Dukes arrived. “Your uncle was about to review the steps of the quadrille with me.”
Reggie took her hand and led her into the center of the room. “Let me show you how it is done.”
Cherish batted her eyelashes at him.
She was certain she heard the duke growl.
How marvelous.
But she was not going to look back at him, for she would likely give herself away. She ached to be back in his arms. This was the worst possible thing she could do for herself, since he had stated quite plainly that he would never marry.
He had also told her to start looking out for herself and urged her toward his nephew. Well, it was suddenly happening, and she was not going to kick this chance away. If she could not have love, then she would accept kindness.
She could tell by the way Reggie held her and guided her through the steps that he was a good and warm-hearted man. There was nothing rough in his motions, yet he was not soft, either. He was simply pleasant and complimentary.
