“Things have turned around for you, my dear,” Aunt Mellie said with a smile.“I could not be happier for you.Finally getting the recognition you deserve.”Her voice lowered.“It appears your old beau is heading our way.To secure a dance, no doubt.”
Livy turned, glancing in the direction her aunt was looking, and sure enough, Warren was striding over to them.With purpose.Blond waves perfectly swept back, his blue eyes locked on her.Livy did a double blink.She’d never seen such determination on Warren’s face before, and definitely not directed at her.
“Lady Elliot, Miss Forester.”Warren bowed as he greeted her and her aunt.“I was hoping to secure a dance with Miss Forester.”His lips tilted up in a half smile, one of his dimples flashing.
Well, it looked as though Livy had accomplished what she’d come to London to do.She had Warren’s notice.And it also appeared she would now need to…find a way to discourage him.
Aunt Mellie nodded her approval.
Warren met Livy’s gaze.“I would be honored to have the final dance of the night with you.”
“I-I would be delighted,” Livy stammered.That was meaningful, taking her last dance.A subtle sign of favor.He was staking a claim.
A low growl came from Warren.Livy furrowed her brows.Wait.No.That hadn’t come from Warren.
Her gaze shot over Warren’s shoulder, catching on Derek.He stood just behind Warren; a dark devil fully prepared to eliminate the golden-haired archangel in front of him.
Warren stiffened, and Livy’s gaze bounced between the two men as they turned to face each other.A silent battle waged in their locked glares.
Oh, honey cakes.
Though, was she surprised by Derek’s behavior?He was angry and demanding by nature.Goodness, he was so possessive he might as well mark his territory by peeing on her.She wrinkled her nose.Well, that was quite the picture.
“I believe you were just leaving.”Derek’s low voice cut through the silence.
Warren’s nostrils flared, his hands clenching at his sides.Derek leaned forward, his taller frame towering over Warren.
Warren turned toward Livy, and despite the smile splitting his face, his eyes remained hard.“I look forward to our dance, Miss Forester.”
The tension in her chest released.Thank goodness Warren had sense enough—
“We move together with such harmony.It must be our shared history.”
She groaned inwardly, and her gaze flew to Derek’s face.
A muscle ticked in Derek’s jaw.A flush tinted his cheekbones, and the green of his eyes had nearly been swallowed by black.Warren needed to leave right now.Derek’s entire body fairly vibrated with barely leashed violence.What had happened to Derek not being intimidated bythe pup?
Warren bowed quickly to her aunt and, with a last glare at Derek, strode off into the crowd.Livy blew out a relieved breath.Then the reality of what this meant washed over her.He was going to ask her to dance.Derek.She knew what the rumors said about him.He’d never danced at a ball before.
Derek stepped forward, his gaze dark, fixed on hers.
Silence.
She blinked expectantly at him.“Did you have something to ask me, my lord?”
“Waltz,” he bit out.
She gaped at him for a heartbeat.Then her lips twitched.Because truly?So.Adorably.Prickly.His nostrils were flaring.She wouldn’t have been surprised if he pawed the ground like an enraged bull.
She arched a brow.“You won’t even deign to ask?”
His lips flattened.“I have secured your first waltz.”
She hid her chuckle behind her fingers.“Oh, goodness.That was horrible.The worst attempt at requesting a dance I’ve ever heard.”
His features instantly softened, like her laughter unraveled his defenses.Livy’s knees went weak, went all wiggly-wobbly.He looked so boyishly handsome with that bashful half-smile, face framed by loose black waves, eyes crinkling at the corner.She loved when all his hard edges melted away.Not that I mind his hard edges.But the fact that she’d cracked them, that he allowed her to see a glimpse of what lay inside…
“Miss Forester, would you do me the honor of granting me your first waltz of the night?”
