“Your expression says it’s far more than nothing,” she pressed.
Felicity shook her head, blonde hair shivering prettily. “I was just thinking he is very handsome. And how desperately jealous everyone is of you now that news of his courtship is starting to circulate.”
Celia frowned even though Felicity had said nothing unkind. “Yes, I’ve heard some of their comments, I assure you.”
Felicity’s teasing ended and concern filled her face. “You sound upset when you say that. What did you hear?”
“Oh nothing,” Celia said, waving her hand to dismiss what she’d overheard just this very night. “Just some little comment about how I always stole the most eligible bachelors and a question about whether or not I could ‘land’ this one.”
“Nasty biddies,” Felicity muttered.
“I should have expected it,” Celia said with a shake of her head. “After all, Stenfax was considered a great catch and he has hardly spoken to a woman since our engagement ended.”
Felicity looked out over the crowd toward Stenfax, worry plain in her blue eyes. “Stenfax has his own reasons for that, I fear. I wager it has nothing to do with you.”
Celia pursed her lips. “Well, no one else knows that. And it doesn’t help when Clairemont reappears suddenly in London, sets everything on its head, and here I am being courted by him.”
Felicity faced her with a determined expression. “So you are a bachelor stealer.”
Her deadpan delivery of the line made Celia laugh despite herself. “Yes, you have me caught. I intend to tempt all the men and keep them to myself. Is that a harem?”
“A reverse harem,” Felicity corrected her, and she was laughing now, too. “Verydifferent.”
“You are shocking,” Celia said, squeezing Felicity’s arm as thanks for brightening her spirits.
“You havenoidea,” Felicity said. “But if you’re collecting a harem, you should get ready for the first piece. Herehecomes.”
Celia straightened and couldn’t help her smile as Aiden came striding through the crowd, his eyes focused on her. This was the first time they’d been together in public since he had asked to court her, though his letters continued to come at regular intervals when they were apart. Still, it felt like half the room was holding their collective breath, watching to see how they interacted.
He reached her and she clenched her fingers, wanting to touch him, to be touched by him. He leaned over her hand, lifting it to his lips before he released her with a wide smile.
“Miss Fitzgilbert,” he said, eyes twinkling as he used her formal address.
She smiled, and suddenly anything anyone said behind her back didn’t matter one bit. “Your Grace.”
He turned toward Felicity. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Celia faced her friend and found Felicity was watching him carefully. Before Celia could make the introduction, Felicity thwarted propriety and inclined her head in a cool greeting. “Viscountess Barbridge, Your Grace.”
Aiden’s eyes widened, and Celia knew he’d realized this was Stenfax’s and Gray’s sister. “Ah,” he said, his tone now more neutral. “Well, good evening.” Felicity nodded in acknowledgement of the greeting. “Might I steal your friend for a moment?” he asked. “To dance the next?”
“Of course.”
Felicity smiled at Celia before Aiden offered an arm to her. Celia took it and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. The music began and Celia shivered as the strains of the waltz filled the air. She couldn’t help but be happy that she could remain in his embrace throughout the song.
They moved into the circling couples and she looked up into his handsome face, which was focused, and she realized he was internally counting once more. She smiled and he caught her gaze, held it and then, suddenly, looked away.
“What thought just came into your head?” she asked with a frown.
He arched a brow as he glanced back at her. “Thought?”
She took a breath. She could easily play off her question, pretend it away so that she wouldn’t have to take a risk by pressing him.
Except he was worth the risk. She knew that as easily as she knew her own mind and heart.
“You were smiling and then suddenly you looked upset,” she explained softly. “I wondered what in the world could have inspired such a shift.”
His lips pressed together. “Youareattentive.”
