Curious, she glanced to Lord Sterling again, wondering if he would radiate the same perturbation. But his stance remained relaxed; the only telltale indication of his intensity was the clench of his jaw as he regarded Lord Westhouse with a placid expression.
“If you’ll excuse me.” Lord Westhouse bowed slowly, then with very deliberate movements offered his arm to Grace.
She glanced to it, then turned to Lord Sterling, raising her brows as if asking for his opinion on whether she should take it or stay. In the end, she would do what she wished, but some part of her wanted to know his preference. He was still such a mystery, and she was curious by nature.
Most of the time to her own detriment.
Lord Sterling gave his head the smallest shake, and then waited, clearly wondering what she would do.
Turning to Lord Westhouse, she gave a slight bow of her head. “Thank you for the dance. I’ll return to the ballroom shortly.”
Lord Westhouse frowned, his arm remaining extended as if expecting her to change her mind.
“I’m sure I’ll see you soon,” she added, wanting to give him some sort of assurance of her regard.
He merely blinked, turned to Lord Sterling with a cold expression, and then tugged on his coat and departed without a backward glance.
Or a good-bye.
Grace was irritated at his lack of good-bye, but she had larger problems to deal with.
Lord Sterling being number one.
There was no way through it but merely through it, so she turned to Lord Sterling and waited for whatever lecture on proper behavior was brewing behind his stormy gaze.
He leaned from the doorframe and walked toward her. Not one to back down from a challenge, she took a step toward him, meeting him halfway. She was no wilting flower; if he had something to say he could say it without fear she’d become a watering pot.
Squaring her shoulders, she tipped her chin up defiantly.
Was it wrong that she was looking forward to a bit of a verbal sparring match?
His gaze met hers with an intensity that gave her a slight shiver.
Apparently she wasn’t the only one with a temper.
The garden was about to experience fireworks, just of a different variety.
Vauxhall was about to get some competition.
