“I have no choice.”
The words were out of George’s mouth before he could prevent them from escaping. Lord Dorset’s eyebrows shot towards his hairline, but George held up one hand to him, palm out.
“I will not explain now,” he said, quickly, pre-empting any questions from his friend. “Excuse me.”
The embarrassment that had been in his chest now grew to such a height that it felt as if every part of his body was burning. There was every good reason in the world for himnotto approach Miss Williams, but his steps took him towards her without even hesitating, his heart yearning to be in her company again despite the fact that he knew he ought to stay far from her.
“Lord Surrey, good evening.”
She turned to look at him, speaking before he had the chance. The cool, unwelcoming smile on her face tore at him, and he cleared his throat gruffly, wondering what it was he was doing here. Had he not been the one to tell her that things between them were at an end? That they ought to be nothing more thanstrangers to one another? Why, then, had he given in to his own desire and come to ask her to dance?
“Good evening, Miss Williams.” He looked to her right, seeing another young lady with whom he was not acquainted. “And to you also.” Not wanting any introductions, he returned his attention to the object of his interest and, with only a momentary hesitation, put out one hand to her. “Your dance card, if I might?”
Miss Williams’ eyes rounded, looking from his face to his open hand and then back again. “You surprise me, Lord Surrey.”
“And why should that be?”
Her lips flattened, her eyes flashing as she looked to her friend beside her, just as aware as he that she could not speak openly. “I was sure that you had determined not to dance.”
I had determined not to dance with you, yes,George thought to himself, as he kept his hand out, waiting.But I cannot help it.
“I am sure, if Miss Burnley is present, then Lord Surrey will be eager to dance indeed!” The young lady that George did not know giggled as George shot her a hard look, though that did nothing at all to dissuade her. “And you cannot only dance with her, I suppose, Lord Surrey.”
His jaw worked furiously but he said nothing. Looking back at Miss Williams, he waited for what felt like an eternity as she held his gaze steadily, assessing him.
Then, eventually, she relented. His breath came out in a whoosh as he took her dance card from her and blindly wrote his name on one of the dances, returning it to her just as quickly as he could.
“The waltz?”
George froze. “I beg your pardon?”
“You wish to dance the waltz with me?” she asked, her voice softer now, filled with surprise. “I am sure there must be somemistake. Perhaps you meant to write your name at the one before, the country dance?”
“Surely you will want to keep the waltz for Miss Burnley!” the young lady exclaimed, making George’s face heat, his hands curling tightly. “Unless she is not to be here this evening?”
“The waltz will suffice. Good evening.”
George spun on his heel and marched away, caught between confusion and frustration. He had not meant to write his name for the waltz, that much he knew, but at the same time, his heart was delighted that he had done so. Did he truly want to torment himself in such a way, dancing with her when he knew he could not pursue her?
One last time,he thought to himself, going in search of something to drink.This will be the last time I shall ever dance with her… and I must make it memorable.
“You are goingto tell me everything, yes?”
George scowled as Lord Dorset sat down in an overstuffed chair, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I did not think you would follow me to Whites.”
“No?” Lord Dorset snapped his fingers at one of the footmen. “But I already told you that you would have to explain everything to me, and this, it seems, is the only way to have you do that!”
Glancing at him, George reached for his brandy. “By forcing your company upon me?”
There came silence for a minute or two, and George, catching the hurt in his friend’s expression, let out a heavy sigh.
“Forgive me. I do not mean to be so irritable.” With a shake of his head, he looked away from Lord Dorset. “I danced the waltz with Miss Williams, and it was so unlike the other dances we have shared, I find myself quite broken by it all.”
“Even though you are courting another?”
George nodded, knowing he had to explain, but finding the words difficult. “I do not want to be courting Miss Burnley, but I have no choice.”
“And why is that?”
