“What will the residents think?” she finally asked since they were in the middle of the road.
“There is no one about.” He grinned down at her. “Unless you consider the ghosts.”
They were in front of Castle Keyvnor. “Benedict could be watching.”
“He misses the entertainment of guests at the castle so he can watch us,” Bentford proclaimed.
“He also claimed you were from a line of wicked rogues,” she teased.
Bentford pulled her closer. “Perhaps I am and am following in their path.”
He then grew serious, and his brown eyes darkened.
“Is all well, Lord Bentford?”
“More than well, Cordelia. And I regret that I have not had the opportunity to waltz with you before now.”
Goodness. She would never be the same after this waltz. Of that she was certain. And, if she was ever given the opportunity to waltz next Season, it would not be as wonderful as this, no matter the partner.
“You never answered my question, or shared your secret,” she finally said.
“The reason why we had not met was because I avoid any entertainment where my mother might be matchmaking.”
“In other words, you were at different balls dancing with other ladies when you could have been dancing with me. Is that what you are saying?” she accused, though the sting was lost when she laughed.
“Yes, and I have only myself to blame.”
His words were so quiet and so serious that Cordelia wondered at his shift in mood.
Bentford slowed their steps until they were at a stop. He then let go, stepped back, bowed, and kissed the back of her hand.
Chapter 18
It had beena mistake to waltz with Cordelia, yet it hadn’t been.
Damon still didn’t know what possessed him to do so, but he was glad that he had.
She’d never waltzed, and he assumed that she’d never even learned, but her steps matched his without error or injury. They moved as one—as two lovers locked together in passion.
Had they not been out in the open where anyone could come upon them, Damon may have kissed her.
He may have done more and lived up to his ancestors’ reputation and seduced her.
Damon couldn’t remember the last time he had wanted someone so badly. But it wasn’t simply for intimacy. Cordelia touched something in him, but nothing he could put a name to, or even understand.
Though they talked during the remainder of their walk back to Hollybrook Park, the conversation was quiet and simple, and he nearly reached out and took her hand in his. Damon longed to touch her again, no matter how innocent. He only held back because he wasn’t certain of their future or if there even was a future and he knew he must proceed with every caution.
He wanted Miss Cordelia Vail. Damon also suspected he needed her, and it was far beyond a physical attraction.
They’d parted in the gardens behind the manor. Cordelia had led him there so that his walk home would be shorter. She then thanked him for the dance as her cheeks turned the loveliest shade of pink.
He again kissed the back of her hand when taking his leave because he didn’t allow himself to kiss her lips, though he wanted to so very much.
Was he in love with Cordelia?
That question had plagued him from the moment he left Hollybrook Park until he was once again at the back of the manor of Nightshade.
There were so many reasons why she was not suitable.
