Sophia’s hand brushed lightly over his sleeve, but then her fingers tightened, anchoring them together as they slipped past the viscount. As soon as they were a safe distance from him, Sophia laughed under her breath. “Please forgive my stepfather.”
Isaac stood across from her as they waited for the music to begin. “At first I thought he liked me, but now I’m not so certain.”
“Perhaps he was put off by your weak constitution.” Sophia’s eyes danced with amusement. Isaac would have been offended, but he was too pleased with the fact that she was teasing him.
The first notes of the song began, and they stepped together. Her hand settled into his, and he felt the impression of each of her fingers on his palm. Even through her gloves, her touch sent a shock through his body.
“My weak constitution has a way of causing me trouble,” he whispered with a smile.
Sophia’s laughter settled deep inside his chest, burrowing into his heart. She didn’t seem nearly as nervous to be dancing asshe had when he had first asked her. They turned in a slow circle, her forearm draping over his, their palms pressed together. It was funny that Sophia thought she was a poor dancer. She moved with more grace than any other lady in the room. But perhaps he was a little blinded.
“He was spooked by your visit to our drawing room yesterday,” Sophia explained. “He knows that I’m courting Lord Finchley, but now he has it in his mind that you’re trying to interfere.”
The steps of the dance took Sophia down the line, so Isaac had to wait to reply. He was grateful, because he needed time to think about how bold he was going to be.
They reunited after several long measures. Isaac’s pulse thrummed against his cravat. Sophia’s lips pressed together in concentration as she stepped toward him, took his hand, and turned in time with all the other ladies. As her ear passed by his lips, Isaac asked, “do you want me to interfere?”
Sophia turned too quickly, her eyes flying up to his. Isaac’s stomach twisted with dread. He had been too bold. However, he found that he didn’t care. He had nothing to lose by making his intentions clear. If she rejected him again, it couldn’t possibly hurt more than it had the first time.
Her eyes fell away from his, and she missed the last step of the dance. The music faded. Sophia searched his face as they offered their obligatory bows. Time was running out for her reply, but she seemed frozen by his words. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. A crease formed in her brow.
Isaac took a step back as the couples dispersed. This was not the time or place to demand any answers from her. He had clearly made her uncomfortable. The confidence he had been feeling was swiftly fading.
Suddenly, Sophia’s face fell. She reached for Isaac’s arm, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You must ask Prudence for her next dance. Percy is at the door.”
Isaac turned, catching sight of his cousin’s black hair and matching jacket, a snowy white cravat climbing toward the base of his jaw. Isaac had completely forgotten his other objective. Percy sauntered a few paces into the room, nose lifted as he surveyed the crowd. Isaac had only few seconds to act before Percy spotted his target.
Sophia started toward the perimeter of the room. She seemed eager to escape Isaac’s side. The realization drove a thorn through his heart, the dull ache radiating through his entire chest.Devil take it, he shouldn’t have revealed his intentions so soon. Not only had he spooked Lord Blackstone, but now he had spooked Sophia too.
He pushed aside his worries and started toward Prudence and Mrs. Liddle. Percy was already on the move, weaving through the crowd in their direction. Isaac cleared his throat as he stepped up beside them. “Miss Prudence, may I have the honor of your next two dances?” He hadn’t meant to sound so abrupt, but he had panicked.
Prudence had never been skilled at hiding her surprise. She cast Mrs. Liddle a sidelong glance. “Y-yes, you may?”
Isaac smiled and bowed, which only seemed to confuse her further. Sophia watched from a few feet away.
And so did her stepfather.
“Did he saytwodances?” Isaac heard Lord Blackstone mutter.
“I believe he did,” Sophia replied.
The viscount’s face twitched into a frown, and he trained his eyes on Isaac with obvious dismay. There was no telling what the man was thinking, but it likely had something to do with Isaac’s immediate dismissal from Blackstone’s. Dancing with hisstepdaughters hadn’t been against the rules, but Isaac’s actions could easily be interpreted a certain way. Many courtships began in ballrooms, especially when more than one dance was shared between partners.
Isaac sensed Percy behind him, but he continued to block his path. Now Isaac was the one standing awkwardly between two people—and it was not as effortless as Lord Blackstone had made it appear.
Prudence flicked a dark curl out of her eyes, biting her lower lip as she tried to crane her neck around Isaac’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of Percy. He managed to step around Isaac, coming to an abrupt halt in front of Prudence and Mrs. Liddle.
“May I request the privilege of your next dance?”
Prudence gave him a rueful look. “Your cousin has already claimed it.”
His smile faltered. “The next one, then.”
Prudence shook her head subtly. Her gaze shifted to Isaac. “That one is also spoken for.”
Isaac could practically feel Percy’s eyes raking over him, sharp and accusatory.
“Ah, there you are, Mr. Ellington.” Lord Blackstone strode forward. “I have been searching for you for some time now. May I have a word with you in the corridor?”
