Morgan had no idea how long he stood there staring at Arthur and Selina, but he had seen enough. He knew his anger and jealousy were unfounded, regardless, he felt what he felt, and planned to do something about it.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Morgan said loudly, clearing his throat exaggeratedly. “While I have enjoyed your company, I do believe there’s a lot you must need to discuss that won’t be suitable for a man to hear. Also, I have just seen my best friend in the crowd. Good evening.”
Morgan made a proper bow, and before any of the women could protest, he turned around and took his leave. He made a beeline for Arthur and Selina, moving as quickly as his dignified status allowed him to.
Arthur spotted him first and threw his hands open. “Ah! There’s my friend! I have been looking all over for you, Morgan.”
Selina’s eyes widened for the briefest second, and then she looked down at the floor of the ballroom.
Morgan clasped Arthur’s hand firmly. “Arthur, I got your note. It’s a pleasure to see you. Hope the ride wasn’t too bumpy?”
“Bah, not too bad that I would miss this ball tonight. In all honesty, it was a delightful ride, thank you.”
Morgan nodded and turned to Selina, who seemed rather too interested in looking for something imaginary on the floor.
“Ms. Knight?” Morgan said in a clear, strong voice, extending his right hand towards Selina. “Would you do me the honor of having this dance with me?”
Selina looked up from the floor and at Morgan. At first, she had a hesitant look and Morgan waited for her to decline his invitation.
He had not forgotten what had happened in the library the previous day. How could he have? If she chose to turn down his offer for a dance, it would be rude and unacceptable. However, he knew that he couldn’t hold it against her.
“It would be my pleasure, Your Grace,” Selina replied finally, with what looked like a forced smile.
Morgan let out a silent breath of relief as Selina took his hand. “Excuse us,” he said to Arthur, who waved the two of them away with a bored look. Morgan led Selina to the dance floor just as the band switched to a slower song.
They started the dance in silence, moving through the steps with practiced accuracy. Morgan stole a look at Selina from time to time, but mostly she tried to avoid his gaze. Morgan burned to talk to her, but he didn’t know how to break the ice.
He wished he was like Arthur at that moment. The man seemed to have a tongue of pure silver. Words flowed out from him effortlessly, and he could make a stone statue smile.
There was no point overthinking, Morgan decided. “Was it just me, or did you seem to want to refuse me when I asked you for a dance?” Morgan teased.
Selina raised a brow at him, chuckling, to Morgan’s immense relief. “Of course not, Your Grace. How could I have possibly wanted to refuse, when we had such a great time dancing the last time?”
Selina’s voice was thick with sarcasm as she spoke, and Morgan laughed out loud. He cleared his throat with pomp and regained his decorum, but a small smile still played on his lips.
“Please don’t remind me. That was not my finest moment.”
“I would know,” Selina replied, rolling her eyes. “You avoided me for days afterwards. I started to get worried that I had caught the plague.”
Morgan raised a brow. “Me? I seem to remember you were the one who disappeared following the dance.”
“Well, we would just have to agree to disagree, Your Grace.”
“Rightly so.” Morgan felt a fire lit in his chest and the warmth spread all over. A big smile blossomed on his face and he loved the feeling as his lips curled upwards.
This feeling… he had never felt it like this before. As he twisted Selina outwards, he knew what it was. Happiness.
As Selina’s feet moved in perfect harmony with Morgan’s, he felt the room around her disappear and fade into oblivion.
* * *
Despite the Dowager Duchess’ persistent pleas — that’s what she claimed they were — Selina had very nearly missed the ball. She had been unable to shake the sick feeling that she was going to run into someone she knew at the ball.
Selina had felt that way since her first time in the streets of London. And now, the feeling pressed deep into her throat, terrifying her beyond reason.
She couldn’t tell the dowager about her anxiety and fears, unfortunately. As the duchess dowager’s companion, she couldn’t very well stay back in the house, while the older woman went to such events by herself.
So, with a sinking feeling of fear in the pit of her stomach, Selina had come to the ball. As she danced with Morgan, however, all the nervousness seemed to melt away.
