Grace didn’t begrudge her intrusion; rather, she practically welcomed it. If she ever needed any assistance in life, it was now. Though, Grace was not particularly sure if she would mention the kiss with Lord Sterling. Perhaps she would just ask some questions in generalities that would hopefully be enough.
The current dance ended and another took its place, all while Grace’s thoughts continued to pour through her like water. Who knew that a kiss could be so confusing?
She’d always assumed that a kiss would be telling, would indicate a decision, something that clarified.
Not something that utterly confounded her, made the situation even cloudier rather than bring it into focus.
Apparently, she had much more to learn about love other than just the tingling feeling.
And was a kiss an indication of love? She had always assumed it was, but that assumption was on its ear now since she was certain Lord Sterling didn’t love her.
And she was equally certain that she didn’t love him.
Attraction, however, was an entirely different story.
And again, she was back to square one, just as confused, without any progress toward an answer to even one of her millions of questions.
And the one person who could answer her inquiries was the very person she wasn’t exactly wanting to speak to, at least not yet.
But life didn’t wait till you were prepared, that shewascertain of, and it was proven true once more as a familiar voice greeted Samantha from the other side of Grace.
“Lady Kilpatrick.”
Grace held her breath, her heart speeding faster like a horse galloping. She released the tense breath only to trade it for another, waiting for his address of her.
Or would he not?
Did she want him to?
Good Lord, would the questions never end?
It was then that she realized that rather than wait, she could take some initiative.
Why hadn’t she thought of it before?
She turned to face Lord Sterling, regarding him as coolly as she could with her face burning with a blush she couldn’t suppress.
Well, so be it.
“Miss Grace,” he greeted her politely.
As if they were having perfectly proper tea.
Not as if he’d kissed her senseless no more than an hour before.
Well, if he wasn’t going to act as if anything happened, she could follow suit. “Lord Sterling,” she replied coolly.
“Ah, perfect timing,” the viscount commented as he walked up to their small, somewhat tense party.
As if on cue, the strains of a waltz began, and to both her delight and her horror, Lord Sterling offered his hand for the dance.
She’d forgotten he’d already requested it through the viscount earlier.
And she was thrilled to accept the opportunity perhaps to ease a bit of her curiosity.
Trepidation replaced the horror at the knowledge that she’d surely step on his toes, probably more than she would have normally, simply because she would be under stress.
She accepted his hand, and swallowed her tension as they made their way to the center of the dance floor.
