He smiled, darting a glance at Miss Bennet, who was safely in Viscount Burke’s arms. “Perhaps some are distracted by the very great coup de grâce you are about to execute, snaring the most elusive bachelor lord in London for your niece.”
She turned her head to look at the couple. “Yes,” she said softly, “I do believe he’s snared.”
“Burke has been watching for her, and then watchingher, all evening.”
She looked at him in surprise. “How do you know?”
“It was difficult not to notice. He’s a large fellow and cannot hide behind the pillars no matter how hard he tries. I gather he doesn’t usually attend affairs like this.” Burke might not have even been invited; Lady Brentwood had gasped aloud at the sight of him when he arrived. Sir Paul had chuckled awkwardly and made a comment about Burke being a friend of his son’s. As if he needed to explain the viscount’s presence.
She laughed. “No, I gathered he is not much for society balls.”
“Yet here he is, enraptured by your niece.” Richard glanced at the girl in question. “And she looks very striking this evening. You’ve done wonders with her.”
“Nonsense,” she said, her cheeks pink. “She was lovely all along.”
He smiled. “Can I not pay you any compliment at all?”
She looked at him, her lips quirked. “Of course you can.”
“Good. Evie...” He had been angling them toward the doorway, away from most of the dancers. “I have something to speak to you about.”
Her brows went up. “What is it? Something serious?”
“Only in that I am serious about it,” he said lightly.
“Then I shall take it seriously,” she replied in the same vein. “Now I am terribly eager to hear it.”
He grinned. “Then let us speak at once.” The orchestra was still playing, but he spun her off the dance floor and stood still.
She glanced over his shoulder at the couples still dancing. “Joan...”
He looked over the crowd, picking out Burke’s dark head about the rest. “They are near the musicians, still dancing. Come with me. Only for a moment,” he said as she hesitated.
The waltz was winding down. In a few minutes the crowd, including Miss Bennet and her partner, would turn toward them and head for the supper room. A few people had already trickled that way, as footmen had just swept open the double doors to the room.
“Just a moment,” she agreed, her cheeks pink. “I mustn’t be away long.”
“Of course not.” He took her by the hand and led the way around the corner away from the supper room, to the small chamber where he’d been received by Lady Brentwood when he’d called the other day to accept Sir Paul’s invitation to speaktonight. As expected, it was dim and silent, and he closed the door gently behind them.
“What mystery! You do intrigue me, sir,” she said, smiling.
He crossed the room to her and took her face in both hands. “You do enchant me, madam,” he breathed, and then he kissed her, deeply, passionately, as he’d been longing to do for weeks now. And she clung to him with as much enthusiasm as he had, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back so hungrily, he almost forgot why he’d brought her here.
“I’ve missed you so,” he breathed against her lips.
“And I you.” She kissed him again. “I am very glad to be able to do this for Joan, and I’ve adored the time spent with her, but...” She ran her finger over his lips. “It has not been the easiest month of my life. In fact, it’s been rather wretched to be away from you.”
He smiled, his heart skipping a beat. “I am delighted you came tonight.”
He felt her flinch, but then she relaxed against him. “So am I. Of course it’s for Joan’s benefit, and I do believe young Burke may screw his courage to the sticking point soon, if not this very evening.” She rested her temple against his jaw for a moment. “But until tonight I didn’t even realize howdesperatelyI missed you, my darling.”
He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “I have wanted this forever,” he said in a low voice. “To spend an evening with you. To dance with you. To be by your side in front of everyone in London, and to revel in it. I love you, Evangeline. I can’t bear to be without you, even for a few weeks.”
She raised her head. In the dim light he could see her wide eyes, and he tightened his grip on her hand, holding it against his heart.
“I remember what you said when we began. I have done my best to follow your lead, and respect your wishes,” he went on. “All I am asking is that you might... consider it.”
“Consider . . . what?” she inquired carefully.
