The only person who had ever felt this right in his arms was Frances. He had already determined the goddess in emerald silk was Franny, but confirmation came the moment he settled his hand on her waist.
Five years may have passed but nothing else had changed. He still loved her and wanted her and he was certain that the only reason Frances was still dancing with him was because she did not know his identity.
Was there any chance that she’d forgive him, or had forgiven him?
As the waltz ended the clock struck midnight. Her eyes widened and Frances tried to turn and step away but he kept one hand on her waist and with the other, untied the ribbon at the back of her head and the mask fell away.
Her coral lips parted and she looked as if she feared what he may say or do. Only then did Seth let go of her and remove his own mask.
“Hello, Franny.”
“You knew?” she asked.
“Before we ever danced.”
She frowned. “We were never to meet again and if we did, you would not acknowledge me, so why ask me to dance not once, but twice?”
He had been such a bloody, bloody fool when he had declared such, regardless of his intentions back then.
“I could not help myself,” Seth admitted.
She gaped at him as if he were mad, and perhaps he was.
“How have you been?”
“Well,” she simply answered but did not extend the same courtesy by asking after him.
Did Frances hate him so much or was it because it had been so long since they had last spoken? Had time and distance erased what they had previously shared?
Were they nothing more but strangers now?
At one time that had been his intention, but after looking into her eyes and waltzing with her, Seth knew, without a doubt, no matter how wise or foolish, he wanted Frances back in his life.
“Might I call on you?”
“No.” Then without a by-your-leave, Frances was gone.
Frances was shaking by the time she reached Bethany and hoped that her friend would wish to leave soon.
Why had Seth asked to call on her now and after so much time had passed?
What did he want?
Did Seth think that they could renew the friendship or was it simply a polite courtesy?
Would they discuss the weather over tea and then she’d not see him again for another five years?
Did she even want to see him again?
Yes! It was also the very reason why she should not.
Her heart hammered in her chest as too many conflicting emotions rioted within. She wanted to hate and resent him for the pain that he had caused her in the past, but she also wanted to be in his arms again, to be what they were…what she had thought they were.
Thought! It had been a lie. None of it had been real or he would not have easily dismissed her.
Oh, she hated that Seth had grown more handsome, when she hadn’t thought it was possible. Goodness, her heart had nearly skipped when her eyes met his and hated that he still had such power over her.
It had been five years and she should no longer harbor any kind emotions for Lord Seth Claxton, yet she did.
