It would seem that dancing once with this man might not suffice and she needed to do something even worse to get the reaction she desired.
The final note was played and as dance partners bowed respectfully, Nora raised her head to meet the baron’s eyes.
“That was rather fun. I have not enjoyed a dance like that in a long time. “
“You are an excellent dancer, Miss. I was in awe of your graceful movements.” Gabriel stated with a smile.
“You are far too kind. How I wish that dance did not end. I feel as though I could have gone on forever. I think I still could.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened in surprise and him stammered,
“That’s – I mean, if it is not too forward to ask… would you do me the honor of dancing again with me? Again?”
“Certainly,” Nora beamed excitedly, taking his offered arm.
Gabriel looked very pleased as he led them further to the middle of the dance floor, dropping her hand to bow to her. Nora lowered herself into a light curtsey, and when she stood straight again, she reached out to take his offered hand.
But before she could, Godric appeared beside her.
“Miss Nora, come with me this instant. There is something important we must discuss.”
“Your Grace,” Nora blinked at him, mildly surprised but also greatly pleased. “Can it not wait? I am rather preoccupied at the moment.”
Godric spared the baron no attention as he stared blankly, “No, it cannot. It is about your brother, and I believe it is in your best interest to listen to what I have to say.”
Nora turned to Gabriel with an apologetic expression as she said,
“I am sorry, my Lord. It would seem I need to forfeit this dance unfortunately.”
“That is quite fine, Miss Nora. It was a great pleasure to have gotten to spend any time with you at all,” he replied, taking her hand and raising it to her lips.
He started to leave afterwards, but his gaze darted in the direction of the duke and whatever he saw on his face caused him to hasten his steps away.
Nora turned turn to Godric in time to catch a murderous expression flashing across his face. The air between them suddenly grew heavier and for the first time since she had embarked on her quest, Nora wondered if perhaps she had crossed the line.
“Follow me,” is all Godric said as he began to walk in the direction of the balcony.
Panic filled Nora’s vein as she walked after him. He did not seem so upset now – his expression had barely changed from its usual cold state. So perhaps she had been wrong, guessing that she had managed to get under his skin.
But why did she feel like a prey that had been caught in the clutches of a predator?
Moments later, they were alone on the balcony, far enough from the other guests that the chatter had reduced to a light buzz of voices and music.
Nora had barely braced herself for what was to come when Godric faced her.
“What did you think you were doing? You were going to dance with him again? Twice in a row? I have never met anyone as foolish as you are intent on being! Do you want more rumors about you? Are you not satisfied with the ones conjured by your broken engagement? Is that not enough?” he questioned harshly.
Nora had initially had responses prepared to rebut whatever he would say, but everything seemed pointless as she considered his outburst.
After a moment of hesitation, she said,
“I did not know he was a rake. He seemed quite kind and polite, so I never imagined –”
“He is not a rake,” Godric retorted, looking as though he was growing increasingly impatient with her.
Confusion dawned across Nora’s features, but before she could question him, the duke continued.
“You should never dance with a man twice in a row, without a formal courtship ongoing with the intent of marriage already expressed. It does not speak well about you.”
