“And you wish to be introduced,” she surmised.
“To the young lady in white with the green ribbons.” He sent her a roguish smile, adding, “If it would not be too much trouble.”
Lady Vaughn sent him a conspiratorial smile. “I see no harm in helping you, Mr. Fraser, since you asked so kindly.” Her gaze passed over his appearance, as if assessing his future wealth.
He bowed in thanks and escorted Lady Vaughn toward the Andrews daughters, who were standing near their aunt Charlotte. He could only hope that they would not give his ruse away. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself to appear bored, to walk as if he owned the room and everything in it.
But the moment he neared Juliette, he saw the questioning frown upon the countess’s face… almost as if she realized Paul had not been invited. But her attention was diverted by the arrival of the Duchess of Worthingstone.
He barely overheard the introduction the matron had given to Juliette, thankful that Lady Arnsbury was too distracted by the duchess. Out of courtesy, he nodded first to Margaret, whose attention was elsewhere. She glanced at him briefly, seeming not to recognize him.
But it was Juliette’s attention that he needed. She wasn’t truly looking at him but was instead staring at the floor.
Look up,he wanted to command her.See me.
When he murmured a greeting, she kept her eyes downcast and only mumbled a response.
When the next set of dances was about to start, he asked if she would be his partner.
“I don’t dance,” she said apologetically, finally glancing up.
Shocked eyes met his, but he asked again, “Not even with me?”
A flush spread over her face, and she stole a look at her sisters. None were paying any attention at all, except Amelia, who was barely holding back her excitement. “I—I’ll try,” Juliette stammered.
Paul took her hand, guiding her toward the lines of men and women. He could almost read the thoughts scuttling through her mind as he took her hand and guided her in a half-circle.
You weren’t supposed to come here. Someone will recognize you.
No one knows me.
But they will! You must leave, now, before they throw you out.
“I hardly recognized you in those clothes,” she said softly. “And your accent is gone.”
“Are ye missing it, then?” He exaggerated his accent. “Did ye no’ ken it was me?” He sent her a teasing look, guiding her in the opposite direction. As he led her through the steps, she stared at him as if she could hardly believe what they were doing.
“You don’t look like the same man,” she admitted. “I cannot believe you dared to come.”
“I would dare many things.” His hand moved to take both of hers, and although she was shocked by his appearance here, she didn’t seem displeased by it. “Though I don’t ken why any of these folk say I can only dance with you once. You’re the only lass I’m wanting to dance with.”
Her blush deepened. “We’ve never danced together before. I didn’t know you’d learned how.” She took his hand, and when he turned her, he glimpsed a true smile, as if she was enjoying herself.
“My uncle forced me to learn,” he admitted. “I thought he was daft at the time, but he said it was a useful skill.” He held her hand, stepping forward as she did the same. “I’d rather take you to acèilidhwhere I could spin you fast and hold you in my arms.”
She squeezed his gloved hand in silent response. “I’ve never been to acèilidh.”
“One day, perhaps,” he promised. When the music was about to end, he saw Lady Arnsbury watching them. Beneath his breath, Paul whispered, “I’ll lead you back to your sisters. Then I want you to meet me in the garden.”
Juliette frowned. “I can’t go alone with you, and you know it.”
He wasn’t particularly concerned about the rules of propriety. “Grant me a moment with you. I can escort you back to your sisters afterward, if you want.” He gave her his arm and led her through the crowd, noting the low buzz of gossip and rumor swirling around them. Many people wondered who he was now, and he’d drawn their eyes toward Juliette.
“My sisters will recognize you,” she murmured beneath his breath. “Dr. Fraser, you must go, before Margaret tells Aunt Charlotte what you’ve done.”
The insinuation, that he could not possibly blend in among these people, was not lost on him. “Afraid they’ll throw me out, are you?” He touched her hand with his own gloved one. “They don’t see a poor physician when they look at me. They see a viscount’s heir.”Or at least, the heir apparent.
“But you’re not titled,” she protested beneath her breath.
