Evan gestured to the empty chair across from him. “Sit. Unless, of course, you have somewhere more important to be—which would be a strange thing, considering the hour.”
She pursed her lips. He really had left no room for her to argue with him.
And, much as she loathed to admit it, she was curious.
With a sigh, she stepped inside and lowered herself into the chair opposite him, smoothing her skirts.
Evan watched her for a moment before speaking again.
“See. Isn’t it that much nicer when you decide to listen to me?”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him. “What is it that you want from me?”
“We have unfinished business, you and me.”
Isadora frowned, and her brain scrambled to understand what he might mean by that. “Do we?”
Evan smirked. “Indeed. I believe we have yet to begin your next lesson.”
She blinked. “You mean our lesson on greetings?”
He set his elbows on the desk, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
“No. That is far too drab. Dancing, sweetheart,” he said lazily. “We have a ball to attend, do we not?”
Isadora’s breath hitched.
Oh. Evan Marwood. In a waltz.
She was not prepared for this.
And yet, as his gaze held hers, something inside her thrilled at the challenge.
Slowly, she lifted her chin.
“Very well,” she said. “Let us begin.”
CHAPTER 11
Evan seemed entirely too pleased with the fact that she had agreed to a dance with him.
But somehow, it didn’t seem to be going as well as she had planned.
“You are holding me all wrong.”
Evan raised a brow. “Am I?”
“Yes,” Isadora said primly, her spine straight, her hand light but firm on his shoulder. “Your grip is too loose.”
“Sweetheart, I am following your instructions exactly. If my grip is too loose, it is because you told me not to manhandle you.”
Isadora huffed. “I said to be firm, not to act as though you are afraid I might break.”
Evan chuckled under his breath, adjusting his hold. His hand slid a fraction lower on her waist, and she felt the warmth of it even through the layers of fabric.
She refused to react.
This was a lesson, she reminded herself quickly. She was determined to stay in control.
