Amelia sighed and shrugged one shoulder. “That wouldn’t be wise. Dancing until my feet ache and then trouncing gentlemen at cards until my brother—or you—drags me away doesn’t fit with my new image. I also like to lure men into the garden for a game of seek and find, but they never find me until they wander back into the ballroom, ruffled and angry, and then I apologize and say I forgot we were ever playing. I usually do that to the rude men who insult the wallflowers.”
He frowned. “Let’s not do that tonight.”
“No, probably not the best idea. So what should we do?”
“We’ll dance two dances, both waltzes, and then you may dance with gentlemen I approve of. I’ll escort you into dinner, and afterward we’ll leave.”
No seek and find? I’ll let you catch me, she wanted to tease but wisely kept her mouth shut.
“Very well.”
He raised a brow. “That’s all?”
“I’m not going to argue with you tonight.”
“Are you unwell?” he asked incredulously.
“No, as I said, I’m tired. I’m exhausted in all the ways a person can be, inside and out, in every waking thought and in every dream. I’m too weary.”
Something unreadable passed over his features. “I know what you mean. I am, too.”
“Then let’s be easy on each other tonight.”
“Deal.”
Chapter Twenty
The first strainsof music floated through the air, and the birds sang on cue in response. The crowded ballroom took a collective gasp. Graham had the pleasure of watching Amelia’s face light with awe. He’d never seen such a thing. She tended to view her surroundings with an arrogant smile, which always infuriated him. But he couldn’t remember why as he looked at her now.
The birds sang, and the quartet accompanied their airy thrills and chirps.
“I wonder how long it took to train them!” she said over the music.
Graham couldn’t pull his focus away from her glistening lips. He swallowed, heat rushing over his body as only one thought came into his head.
Let’s play seek and find in the garden.
Instead, he bent close so she could hear him. “I’ll get us some champagne.” She nodded, her wispy curls caressing his face, and he couldn’t stop himself from inhaling the fragrant scent of her hair and skin. He wisely stepped away and put distance between them, heading toward the refreshment room while everyone was occupied with being serenaded by the birds.
The birds finished their regal display, and footmen whisked away their cages to the applause of the crowd as he returned to Amelia with two glasses, finding her exactly where he’d left her. For some reason, that surprised him. What didn’t surprise him was the presence of Sir Daniel. He hoped the man wasn’t fishing for details about Alston’s recent absence from his private card parties.
“There you are,” Amelia said, smiling at him as she accepted the glass of champagne. Her eyes brightened the instant she saw him, and he was momentarily stunned. Was that relief he saw? Affection?
“So it is true,” Sir Daniel said, breaking his focus on Amelia. “Engaged?”
“As I said,” Amelia replied.
“I couldn’t believe the rumors, not even as rampant as the gossips were. By Alston’s account, you two don’t get along, do you?”
Amelia slid her arm through his and leaned close, her breast brushing his bicep. His mouth went dry.
“On the contrary, as I’m sure you can see. And it makes perfect sense,” she argued. “Who else would my brother trust more with my wellbeing?”
She didn’t have to lie there.
“Hm, and here I had hoped one day I might have that honor,” he laughed. “Where is Alston tonight?” Sir Daniel asked.
“Scotland,” Amelia replied, her tone cooler. Graham should dispose of Sir Daniel before he stirred her temper further, but part of him wanted to see her eviscerate Sir Daniel.
