I didn’t have a chance to answer before the music began, signaling the start of the second dance. I searched the crowd for Alexander. My heart picked up speed when I saw that he was only a few feet away. I stepped forward, grateful to avoid the question Miles had asked me, even though my insides twisted with nervousness at the thought of dancing with Alexander.
Dancing had never troubled me before. But for some reason, I envisioned myself tripping over my feet if he was touching me.
CHAPTER 29
ANNE
Alexander led me to the dance floor, one hand on the small of my back. The dance opened with a pirouette. He took my hand, wrapping the other around my waist. We turned in a circle, his eyes locked on mine. The bruise on his cheek had lightened already, but it had spread into the side of his hairline. I wanted to take the opportunity to speak with him, but my voice felt useless as I focused on keeping my feet in motion.
“I haven’t had a chance to properly congratulate you,” he said, a soft smile on his lips. His eyebrows lifted. “I was shocked beyond words to learn what the prize was. I imagine your reaction was the same?” His breath brushed against my neck as the steps brought us closer, sending a shiver across my shoulder blades.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I had been expecting him to open the dance with an argument about how I shouldn’t trust Miles.
“I thought it was some sort of trick Lady Tottenham was playing on me.” I gave a quiet laugh. “I can hardly believe it’s true.”
His smile eased my nerves. “How do you feel? Are you happy? Overwhelmed?”
“Both.”
We stepped apart, then together, our hands and arms crossing in the air between us. He released one of my hands, and I turned slowly beneath his arm.
“It’s difficult to comprehend that this entire house will be mine one day.” I shook my head, sharing in his look of bewilderment. “I have been struggling to envision such a future for myself. I feel like it’s all a dream, and I might awake at any moment. I might be just like Lady Tottenham one day, hosting house parties and playing games in the parlor…it seems absurd.”
Alexander laughed. He lowered his voice, a teasing glint in his eyes. “And surely you will boast of your extensive taxidermy collection at every opportunity.”
A laugh bubbled out of my throat. “I confess that is my least favorite part of the inheritance.”
“Truly?” His brows shot upward. “Might I assume then that you would have no objection giving it to me?”
The music had built to a lively tempo. My smile felt uncontrollable as I took both Alexander’s hands for a rigadoon. “I would, but I’m afraid I cannot trust you to take proper care of the poor creatures. The pugilist can attest to my hesitation.”
He chuckled, his hand wrapping around my waist again. I felt the pressure of every finger. “That was an accident, of which you are just as much to blame,” he said in a low voice.
I scoffed. “How was I to blame?”
His eyes settled on my face. “Your smile is far too beautiful, and I was distracted.”
My heart leaped. My feet refused to finish the final steps of the dance. The final note of the violin rang out. Alexander bowed, and I curtsied. I felt the weight of many gazes on us. If the guests had read Lady Teignmouth, or rather—Lady Tottenham’s article, they would soon discover that Alexander was the man who was mentioned at the end of the narrative.
Before we had taken three steps away from the dance floor, a gentleman approached me, requesting my next dance. The same pattern continued until the start of the next, and the next, until all my dances were claimed. Somehow Miles ended up at my side between every set. He fetched me punch and water and anything he perceived that I needed. His constant presence at my side was sure to cause confusion among the visitors who assumed, because of the gossip article, that I was courting Alexander.
When I finished my last dance, I returned to my place on the outskirts of the floor. I fanned my face with one hand. Miles stepped up beside me. “Would you take a walk in the corridor with me? The temperature is much more tolerable there.”
I gave a quick nod, eager to escape the heat of the room. He extended his arm, leading me out the door. I told myself we wouldn’t venture past the refreshment table in order to remain well within sight of any passing guests. This was no longer Lady Tottenham’s house party. There wasn’t a lack of regard for common rules and propriety in the air tonight. If Miles and I were seen, the consequences could be dire.
“Where are we going?” I asked in a nervous whisper. He was leading me in the direction of the blue library. I practically dug my heels into the floor, stopping him as we turned the corner.
He moved to face me, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath. “I wanted to be alone with you.”
“I only needed a breath of fresh air.” I swallowed, glancing nervously over my shoulder. The corridor was empty. “I feel much improved. Let us return to the hexagon room.”
I started to turn, but Miles grabbed my wrist. “Wait—Anne. It hurt me to witness your uncertainty regarding me.”
The despair in his eyes stabbed at my heart. My pulse quickened. “I’m sorry if I have seemed uncertain, but my life has changed drastically in a matter of days. I have much to contend with. Your arrival was sudden and unexpected, and I haven’t had time to understand my feelings.”
He released my wrist, running his finger up and down my arm. His striking blue eyes captured mine. “That does make sense. However, I still want you to understandmyfeelings. I want you to understand how I adore you. I have traveled thousands of miles to be here with you.” His eyes traced over my features one by one, settling on my lips. “If that alone does not prove my devotion, I hope this will.” He took me by the waist with one hand, nudging my chin up with the other. I hardly had time to think before he was kissing me.
I froze, trapped between him and the wall behind me. My dreams of kissing Miles, of hearing him profess his love, had never felt likethis. His lips, eager and harsh, reminded me of the baron’s. Panic set into my bones. I squirmed away, breaking the seal of our lips. My heart pounded against my ribs. “Miles!” I scolded in a breathless voice. I glanced over his shoulder. “Someone could have seen that.”
