“Alone at last,” Julian said, leaning slightly to whisper in her ear.
“I believe Cecily’s about to finish her dance.” Georgiana kept her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. “I must go.”
But Julian shifted, blocking her path with practiced ease. “Why must you always run from me?” His voice dropped, meant only for her. “I hoped to find you here tonight. And beg for a dance.”
“I don’t think so,” Georgiana whispered, aware of others around them. “You know how I feel about you. I’ve no interest in you whatsoever. The sooner you understand that, the better. There are plenty of single women here tonight who would love the pleasure of your company. However, I am most certainly not one of them.”
“You wound me, Mrs. Fairfax.” Julian placed his hand over his heart.
To his credit, he did seem hurt. What was wrong with this man? Was he truly this delusional? And why her anyway? There were plenty of other women with much fewer complications.
Julian’s eyes glittered with something ugly. “Though I can’t help but wonder if you’re merely playing hard to get. It’s what you did before, after all. Leading me on with those pretty blushes, those stolen moments in the garden. We both know how close we came to—”
“Stop.” The word came out sharp enough to draw glances.Georgiana forced her voice lower, though fury made her hands shake. “Whatever fantasy you’ve constructed in your head, it bears no resemblance to reality. You assaulted me and then refused to leave me alone. Let me make it perfectly clear. I do not want your company. Ever. In fact, I do not want you anywhere near me.”
“Temper, temper.” He smiled, reaching as if to touch her arm.
She stepped back, but her heel caught her hem. For one horrifying moment, she thought she might stumble but then, like a miracle, James appeared by her side, solid as a shield, his hand steadying her elbow with perfect propriety.
“There you are.” James’s voice cut through the noise like a cavalry charge. “Mrs. Fairfax, you promised me this waltz.”
Julian straightened, irritation flashing across his features. “I wasn’t aware men kept dance cards, Ashford.”
James’s expression remained pleasant, but his eyes were as cold as a winter morning in February. “I keep one. For her and her only.” He shifted slightly, his broad shoulders blocking her view of Julian entirely. “If you’ll excuse us.”
“I’ll find you later,” Julian said to her.
James drew closer to Julian, his right fist clenched. “No, you will not find her. You will not harass her this evening. Or any other one, for that matter.”
“And what gives you the right to say such a thing?” Julian asked, eyes flashing with contempt. “You have no hold on her.”
“Neither do you,” James said. “Good night, Mr. Fane.”
Georgiana took his arm, fingers gripping perhaps tighter than necessary. As they walked away, her legs started to shake.
James led her onto the floor. The opening notes of a waltz filled the air, and he drew her into position with infinite care. Through her gloves, she felt the warmth of his hand, steady and sure.
“You’re trembling,” he murmured, beginning to move them in slow circles.
“I’ll be fine.” But her voice cracked slightly.
“Look at me.” When she did, his eyes held hers with fierce protectiveness. “He won’t touch you. Not while I draw breath.”
The silk of her skirts whispered against his legs as they turned. His thumb brushed against her palm through the delicate kid leather. Such a small gesture, but it anchored her.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she whispered. “He’s going to be everywhere this Season.”
“And so will I.” He spun her gently, the room blurring into watercolor around them. “I’m not afraid to hurt him if I have to.”
She pressed her lips together, fighting the burn behind her eyes.
“I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” He drew her perhaps an inch closer than strict propriety allowed.
Around them, the ballroom continued its glittering dance, but in James’s arms, Georgiana finally felt the world steady. When they turned again, she caught sight of Cecily, still laughing with her partner, blissfully unaware.
Safe. They were both safe.
For now, that was enough.
