She glanced at him uncertainly, not sure if he truly admired her or the compliment was mere formality. It was impossible to tell; he was the most inscrutable man she had ever met. Then he smiled at her and looked not merely presentable, but downright handsome. It was the first time she had seen him smile. He should do so moreoften.
Her mother joined them, beaming with possessive pride. “You look splendid,Sarah!”
A moment later they were surrounded by chattering, laughing people, particularly those who had not yet met the duke and who longed to rectify the omission. Sunny half expected her fiancé to retreat to a comer filled with men, but he bore up under the onslaughtverywell.
Though he spoke little, his grave courtesy soon won over even the most critical society matrons. She realized that she had underestimated him. Thornborough’s avoidance of the fashionable life was obviously from choice rather than socialineptitude.
When she finally had a chance to look at her dance card, she saw that her fiancé had put himself down for two waltzes as well as the supper dance. That in itself was a declaration of their engagement, for no young lady would have more than two dances with one man unless intentions wereserious.
When the orchestra struck up their first waltz, Thornborough excused himself from his admirers and came to collect her. She caught her train up so that she could dance, then took his hand and followed him onto the floor. “It will be a pleasure to waltz,” she said. “I feel as if I’ve been talking nonstop for thelasthour.”
“I believe that you have been,” he said as he drew her into position, a light hand on her waist “It must be fatiguing to be so popular. In the interests of allowing you to recover, I shan’t require you to talkatall.”
“But you are just as popular,” she said teasingly. “Everyone in Newport wants toknowyou.”
“It isn’t me they’re interested in, but the Duke of Thornborough. If I were a hairy ape from the Congo, I’d be equally in demand, as long as I was also a duke.” He considered, then said with good-natured cynicism, “More so, I think. Apes are said to be quiteentertaining.”
Though Sunny chuckled, his remark made her understand better why he wanted her to call him Justin. Being transformed overnight from the Gargoyle to the much-courted Duke of Thornborough must have been enough to make anyonecynical.
It came as no surprise to learn that he danced well. She relaxed and let the voluptuous strains of music work their usual magic. The waltz was a very intimate dance, the closest a young woman was allowed to come to a man. Usually it was also an opportunity to talk with some privacy. The fact that she and Justin were both silent had the curious effect of making her disturbingly aware of his physical closeness, even though he kept a perfectly proper twelve inchesbetweenthem.
Katie had been right about the heat of the ballroom; as they whirled across the floor, Sunny realized that a remarkable amount of warmth was being generated between their gloved hands. It didn’t help that their eyes were almost level, for it increased the uncomfortable sense of closeness. She wished that she knew what was going on behind those enigmaticgrayeyes.
A month before, she had waltzed like this with Paul Curzon and he had told her that his heart had driven him to follow her to America. The memory was jarring and she stumbled on a turn. If Justin hadn’t quickly steadied her, she would havefallen.
His dark brows drew together. “Are you feeling faint? It’s very warm. Perhaps we should go onto the porch forsomeair.”
She managed a smile. “I’m fine, only a little dizzy. It’s absurd that we can turn only one direction during a waltz. If we could spin the other way now and then, it would be mucheasier.”
“Society thrives on absurdity,” he observed. “Obscure rules are necessary so that outsiders can be identified and kept safelyoutside.”
While she pondered his unexpected insight, the waltz ended and another partner came to claim her. The evening passed quickly. After the lavish supper was served, the engagement was formally announced. Augusta was in her element as even her most powerful social rivals acknowledged hertriumph.
Sunny felt a pang as she accepted the good wishes of people she had known all her life. This was her last summer in Newport. Though she would visit in the future, it would not be the same; already her engagement to an Englishman was setting herapart.
The first phase of her life was ending—and she had no clear idea what the next phase wouldbelike.
* * *
It was very latewhen the last of the guests left. As her official fiancé, Thornborough was allowed to escort Sunny to her room. When they reached her door, he said, “My train leaves rather early tomorrow, so I’ll saygoodbyenow.”
“I’m sorry that you’ll have to travel without a proper night’s sleep.” Almost too tired to stand, she masked a yawn with her hand. “Have a safe and pleasant journey,Justin.”
His gaze caught hers, and she couldn’t look away. The air between them seemed to thicken. Gently he curved his hand around her head and drew her to him forakiss.
Because she didn’t love him she had been dreading this moment, yet again he surprised her. His lips were warm and firm. Pleasant.Undemanding.
He caressed her hair, disturbing the rosebuds, and scented petals drifted over her bare shoulder in a delicate sensual caress. She gave a little sigh, and his arms wentaroundher.
The feel of his broad chest and his hand on the small of her back triggered a vivid memory of her last kiss, in Paul Curzon’s embrace. All the anger and shame of that episode flooded back. She stiffened and took an involuntary stepbackward.
He released her instantly. Though his eyes had darkened, his voice was mild when he said, “Sleep well. I shall see you inOctober.”
She opened her door, but instead of entering her room she paused and watched his compact, powerful figure stride down the hall to his own chamber. In spite of the warmth of the night, a shiver went down her spine. Her feelings about Justin were confused, but one thing was certain: it would be disastrous to continue to let the shadow of Paul Curzon come between her and her future husband. Yet she didn’t know how to get ridofit.
Chapter4
NewYorkCity
