Giorgio led her to the center where people were dancing some sort of country jig. She had no idea the steps but it looked like fun. Giorgio slid his arm through hers and spun her in a circle, then they switched arms and he twirled her the other way. “So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
“What do you mean?”
“The batting of eyelashes and theI’ve been looking for you all eveningbusiness,” he replied. He slid a hand to her waist and they sashayed down the line of dancers.
“I thought perhaps a little competition could aid your cause with Zelda.”
His cheeks reddened adorably. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You were doing literal back flips to gain her attention.”
He turned them again in a circle. “Yes, well nothing else seemed to be working. I’m at my best when playing the fool, I guess.”
“Nonsense. Zelda is the fool if she doesn’t realize how wonderful you are. Now lean down and whisper something in my ear. Go on.”
Giorgio leaned in close. “What shall I be whispering?”
Susanna chuckled softly. “Just trust me, and play along.” Then she pulled back and gave his chest a shove. “How dare you make such a suggestion! You, sir, are a rogue.” She projected loudly. Susanna gave him a wink before turning to stomp away.
As she reached the other side of the courtyard, she spotted Hawksridge striding toward her. “What did he say to you? I’ll wring his neck,” he said.
She stepped in front of him and grabbed hold of one forearm to stop him in his path. “He didn’t say anything. It was a ruse to make Zelda wonder about him. Apparently, she is attracted to rakish men. But keep your glower on him. It will add to the effect.”
Miles glanced down at her and then over her shoulder again to assess the situation. He looked confused and grumpy about it. “Susanna, why are you always such a puzzle?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It wasn’t,” he muttered.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Zelda get up and casually make her way to the refreshment table where Giorgio stood sipping a glass of wine with a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Look, see it worked.” She nodded her head toward the couple.
“What worked?”
Susanna huffed. “My plan to make Zelda notice him. If she thinks I am interested in him, and then scandalized by his whispered words it makes her all the more curious about him.”
Hawksridge rolled his eyes. “I think maybe it’s time to go upstairs to bed.” He tucked her arm through his and steered them around the dancing couples and into the interior of the inn.
“So, you walked Miss St. George home?” she asked casually as they climbed the stairs to the third floor.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And what?”
Susanna snorted. Fine, he could be obtuse about how Miss St. George had stared at him throughout dinner with cow eyes. Like he was the hero of her dreams. Susanna couldn’t imagine that the woman hadn’t flirted madly with him all the way home. Not that it was any of her business. Except that now that she had discovered how thrilling it was to kiss him, she didn’t want anyone else to flirt with him. She slid a gaze over to Miles. His dark eyebrows were pulled down and that chiseled jaw clenched with annoyance. He was such an adorable grump.
Oh dear.She had gone and fallen for Miles Weston. Why was she this way? Why couldn’t her fool heart pick someone sensible?Ha!Her inner voice mocked her,no one is more sensible than Miles. But he was not sensible for her. She wanted to marry someone who had a sense of adventure, who would pursue her to the ends of the earth. And if Miles ever found out about her affair with a circus performer he would be scandalized right down to the tips of his polished boots.
No, he would never want someone like her for a wife she told her foolish heart.You’ll have to pick someone different.Miles Weston was looking for a malleable young lady, pure and prim, someone who’d make him an excellent partner in the business of politics.How do you know what he really wants?Her heart retorted.
When they reached the door to her room, Miles held out his palm. Susanna stared at it quizzically as her mind still argued with her heart.
“The key please?” Miles asked.
“Oh yes, of course.” She pulled up her reticule, dug around inside and handed over the key.
Miles unlocked the door. She followed him inside and watched him bend to light some tinder from the banked fire. His thighs, corded with muscle, and that taut backside had to be a sin against all womanhood. Miles stood and lit the candles of the candelabra. “This really is the most grotesque thing I have ever seen.”
