Trent rolled his eyes.“He’s being humble.He’s actually very talented.”
“Really?Will you play for us?”
He inclined his head and picked up his cane.“First, I have a niece to read to.Then, I will gladly join you in the ballroom.”
ChapterFifteen
An hour later, Trent was convinced he had two left feet.He’d never felt so clumsy before.
“I’m sorry,” he said with a sigh.“I’m no good at this.”
“You’ve never done it before.How could you possibly be good at it?”
Trent laughed.
“You just need someone to model it for you,” Ash said from the doorway.
Heat crept up Trent’s neck.“Have you been watching?”
“Only for a minute or two.”He handed Trent his cane.
“May I have the pleasure of this dance, Miss Allister?”
“I assure you, my lord, the pleasure will be mine.”She gave a graceful curtsey.
Ash’s smile was filled with approval as he took her hand and twirled her into position.They moved in unison, even without any music.He led her around the floor, their steps in perfect synchrony.She was graceful and beautiful, and somehow they made an ideal pairing.Ash was more the kind of man she should be with.Not his bastard brother.
“Are you watching?”Ash asked as he brought their dancing to a halt.
“Of course.”Perhaps not the technique, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Samantha.
“Good.Your turn.”
With a nod, Trent handed him his cane, and placed his hands, just as Samantha had shown him.
Ash tapped his cane on the floor in a slow rhythm.“One, two, three.One, two, three,” he counted.
Trent was so focused on avoiding Samantha’s feet that he somehow tripped over his own and stumbled.
“I can’t do it,” he said frustratedly.“I’m not a gentleman.I’m not a dancer.”
“Stop it,” Ash said, placing a hand on his shoulder.“Like this.”He modeled the proper positioning.“That’s it.Now, relax your shoulders.”
“How am I supposed to relax when I’m terrified I might step on her?”
“Trust me, you won’t.”Ash breathed in a deep breath and waited for Trent to follow.“Good.Now, stop looking down at your feet and look into her eyes.What color are they?And if you insult her with a single-word answer, I will wallop you.”
His resulting laughter finally did make him relax.“Her eyes are the color of summer skies just before they unleash a torrent of rain.”
Her answering smile put him at ease even more.
“Now breathe, and feel her body.She will move with you.We’ll take it slow.One, two, three.One, two, three.”
As he breathed in, the subtle aroma of orange blossoms filled his nostrils.He gazed into her eyes, and did feel her moving with him.It was like they suddenly became one.Everything around them faded away as he lost himself in the stormy depths of her eyes.But then music started.He’d almost forgotten Ash was there, and the sudden reminder made him stumble.She tripped over his wayward foot and he barely managed to catch her before she hit the floor.
Laughter spilled out of her.“Well done!Saved me from utter peril.”
“I’m not sure it counts as a rescue since I was the one who caused said peril.”He righted her, feeling like an oaf.“Perhaps we’ve had enough risk taking for one night?”
