She stood in the corner, further away from a few other ladies who had huddled together, also in search of some peace. She drew several deep breaths to steady her nerves. She felt like she had been doing it all wrong. Everything she said was wrong. Everything she did was wrong. She wondered if she even knew how to do this right.
“Already had enough of the drama?” She heard a voice behind her, and at first, she did not think it was addressing her.
When she turned around, her eyes met Alexander’s. For a moment, she expected to see the beautiful lady he had been dancing with hanging by his arm, but of course, she was not there. She was back inside, probably waiting for him to return. Not that she herself would care for any of that. He could return inside immediately. She did not need him out here tending to her.
“No,” she managed to smile, banishing the thought that she would need to keep going through these dances all night long, when she would much rather be back home, cozied up with a good book and planning with Edith what they could do to help the poor little orphans in the streets.
“But I take it you are not having too much fun, are you?”
For a moment, she considered just outwardly lying. He probably wanted her to have fun. It would have made him feel less guilty.
“I know why I am here,” she replied instead, opting as always, for the truth.
“Here outside on the terrace away from everyone, or here at the ball?”
“Just here,” she smiled a little awkwardly.
Even as a child, speaking to Alexander was never easy. Being several years older always seemed to make him out of reach, aloof, or downright unwilling to have a conversation with someone he did not consider on the same social level as himself. She could not fault him for any of that. They belonged to two completely different worlds. Just because the late earl was the connecting point between these two worlds, that still did not mean that she and the earl’s son would magically get along well. In Marjorie’s opinion, they tolerated each other’s presence, removing themselves once this presence had become overwhelming. And she was fine with such an arrangement, until the sweet old man had departed, leaving more loose ends than anyone could have imagined.
“Perhaps, I could get you to reconsider and come back inside… with me,” he suddenly said, offering her his hand.
She could not make up a single rational thought inside her mind. All she could hear was the pounding refrain of her heart. Refusing his offer would be the right course of action. But she had no basis for that. Why would she refuse an innocent request for a dance?Utterly silly.
Perhaps she could come up with an excuse, that she is unwell and wished to remain outside for a little while longer. She bent her head and stared at his fingers, at his hand, still extended in a gesture of invitation right in front of her. Her own fingers clenched at the stone wall of the terrace. No excuse would be good enough because any excuse would be a lie. She wanted to dance with him. She wanted it since the moment they entered the ballroom.
So, she did the only thing she could do. She smiled and took him by the hand.
Chapter 8
Alexander was no fan of the quadrille, but a waltz was a completely different matter. He wondered if it was the right time to collect his dance. Marjorie should be dancing with others, as this was her chance of meeting someone she liked, someone who would eventually become her husband.
As he brought her in from the terrace, he paid no heed to the gathering of lords and ladies, who prepared for the next dance. As for his own lady, she stood opposite him, so petite, so short he felt she could fit right in the palm of his hand, where he could tuck her away in the pocket of his waistcoat and disappear off with her.
That last thought caught him by surprise. Why would he want to disappear with her anyway?
He looked down to focus on the dance and not the partner. But one glance in her direction and her blushing cheeks forced him to pay no heed to anyone or anything else. Just one glance was enough for her charms to mesmerize him. He was certain that Percival felt the same.Yes, Percy.If he immediately started talking about him, that would shift focus from her.
“I do believe our friend Percy has become quite enamored with you,” he commented, as the dance started. It required them to be close, and he realized that perhaps, choosing this dance was unwise. She was too beautiful for him to think about anything rational. So, he tried even harder to speak of things that required a sound mind.
“Funny,” she commented. “He also considers himself my friend, while I would only refer to him as an acquaintance.”
“That may be true,” he acknowledged. “But if you don’t mind me reminding you, we are here to make friends. Even more than that.”
“I do not need to be reminded of that.” Her response was chilly.
If he delved more deeply into that topic, he was certain that he would find out that Marjorie not only did not consider Percival her friend, but she also probably did not count him among her friends as well. He could not blame her. He did nothing all these years to earn her trust or to become her friend. Now, however, it seemed that they both needed each other. If becoming friends was what was necessary, so be it.
“Of course, you do not,” he nodded, as they moved to the sound of the music. How different it was to dance with her, how much more natural. Her movements were slow, flowing. It was easy to lead her because she allowed it, although she added to the dance with her own movements, making their unity harmonious. “I was merely suggesting something.”
“What is it?” Color rose to her cheeks as he whirled her.
“Perhaps we could arrange a stroll through Hyde Park tomorrow with Percy,” he suggested.
“Would it not be too early?” Her response was swift, determined.
She allowed him to spin her, as her gown flounced around her, like a blossoming flower. He was surprised to find out he enjoyed the sight of her more than he thought he would.
“We do not have to arrange it for the morning,” he offered. “An afternoon stroll, perhaps.”
