All conversation around us had halted. People were openly staring at the scene and such a scene it was. I wonder if being slapped in the face was the type of sweet attention Sir Sebastian was hoping for.
"Sir, get off the floor. Your behavior lacks dignity," I whispered at him, seething. I had still not ruled out striking him.
"One dance?"
"No!"
"I will not rise until you agree to dance this set with me."
"Then you will be a long time kneeling for this set belongs to me."
Oh thank goodness. Darcy. I never thought I would be so happy to see him and his bored/irritated/tired/condescending/haughty face.
Fourteen
19thDecember, 1811
Evening
Accepting Darcy's proffered arm, I stepped around Sir Sebastian as he sat there on the floor looking quite stupid.
Darcy and I made our way to the dance floor amidst a sussurant uproar.
"They are all whispering about us."
"How conceited you are," Darcy said. I was relieved to see a grin on his face. "They are all aflutter about the dance. It is to be a waltz."
"A waltz," I squeaked, sounding once again like Miss Hopkins. I had heard of the waltz of course. A scandalous Continental dance, hardly something the mild Mrs. Hamilton would allow to be danced in her home.
"Do you know how to waltz?" Darcy asked as we took our place.
"Of course not. I am a good girl."
Darcy's brow rose. "Are you?"
"Sir Sebastian's preposterous behavior was not my fault," I hissed.
"I realize that," Darcy replied patiently, "I saw him accost you. You did not appear encouraging in the least."
Somewhat mollified, I consented to let him place my left hand on his shoulder while he clasped my right hand in his own.
"How we are meant to dance whilst standing so indecently close?" I asked.
Darcy grinned, no doubt amused by my rustic conventions. "It is becoming more acceptable. I have seen it danced at other balls.
Alarmed, I asked, "You have not danced it yourself?"
"No, but I think I am equal to the task."
Wonderful, neither of us knows what we are doing. Now I was certain we would make fools of ourselves. And we would do so very obviously. There were fewer couples on the floor as this was certainly not a dance for unmarried ladies. With that in mind I casted a glance toward the far side of the room. Thankfully I found Dora and Jane respectably stowed with Mrs. Rose where I had left them.
My foot still twinged a bit from its earlier crushing and I was self-conscious of the people looking at us—for all Darcy might tease me about my conceit theywerelooking at us—however right as I was poised to beg off, the musicians strike the first chord.
"You will have to let me lead," Darcy said as we glided along. Glided is perhaps the wrong word as we were moving rather woodenly.
I tried to relax. Really there is a proper distance between us. And, though his arm is at my back in a sort of a cautious embrace he was wearing gloves so any suggestion by my brain that I could feel the heat searing through my gown is pure fancy. Icanbe near him without losing my head entirely.
To distract myself from my traitorous thoughts, I observed the dance. However scandalous it might be, the waltz did make for a beautiful display, the ladies' skirts sweeping gracefully over the floor as they whirled, their jewels sparkling as they caught the light of the candles.
