Just as she was about to insist that they leave, the musicians played the chords of a waltz. Seth took her wine glass and placed it on the table next to his and then led her to the floor.
As it had been during the masquerade, her skin heated where he touched, but he did not draw her any closer than was proper. Instead, he stared down into her eyes as he led her from one end of the floor to the other and back again. She paid no attention to where he led and given neither one of them was watching, it was a wonder that they did not stumble into another couple. By the time they were finished, Frances was heated and her heart pounded.
“They will never question my devotion and most assuredly will now view me as a reformed rake.”
Frances nearly laughed. “One waltz cannot change a reputation or standing in Society.”
“Ah, but it can.” He offered his arm and led her back to where they had been standing. “It is also the reason that I have not taken you for a stroll in the gardens for that would make them question my intentions and those in Society must believe they are nothing but honorable.”
Frances frowned. There had been nothing honorable in the way that he nearly seduced her two times unless he had simply allowed passion to rule. Had her assumptions of his intentions been incorrect?
He claimed that his heart beat for her and that he wanted Society to witness his devotion. Further, he was courting her.
Yet, he also claimed that his heart had always beaten for her yet it had not stopped him from leaving her.
Chapter Twenty
Seth could not remember the last time that he had been at a loss for words and it had certainly never occurred when he was with Frances. Yet, the moment they stepped into the ballroom, he could think of nothing to say. He was also acutely aware of how much they were being watched by others and he feared saying something that might be overheard, misinterpreted or gossiped about. In any other circumstance he wouldn’t care, but he’d not have Frances the subject of gossip. She’d already endured five years as a wallflower and the only way a woman becomes that is if Society puts her there.
He noted that several gentlemen seemed to cast admiring glances her way, yet why had none of them ever asked her to dance or noticed her before? Had they been blind? Though, he should be grateful because if someone would have declared their love and won Franny’s, she would have been lost to him forever.
The waltz had been brutal. Seth had desperately wanted to pull her closer and put his lips to her, then dance right out onto the terrace then disappear behind the foliage where he could kiss her more thoroughly, but he would never disrespect her in that manner.
As it was, Seth could not wait to get her alone in the carriage.
He needed and wanted her and wondered how long he would need to wait before he finally declared himself and asked her to be his wife. The days he was forced to spend apart from Frances had convinced Seth that he never wanted to go a day without her again and hated that he would be forced to be away from London for at least a fortnight.
He knew what he wanted. It was what he had always wanted but was too afraid. His only fear now was that it was too soon to ask for her hand in marriage after only a few weeks when they had been separated for five years.
Maybe he should ask her to accompany him to Laswell. His family certainly would not mind. And, even if they did, Seth did not care because his family would hopefully soon be hers.
A few gentlemen had begun their approach shortly after he and Frances had returned to the side of the room after their waltz and Seth had warned them away. Not in words, but with a glare that had been automatic and not something he had even given thought to. He had not wanted to watch her dance with anyone else. Those gentlemen had five years to claim such and now it was too late.
“Are you always so silent when at a ball?” Frances asked.
“I honestly cannot recall how it was five years ago, but other than the masquerade, I have only attended one and did not remain for long because there was no card room.”
“You did not speak at the masquerade, at least not that I noticed, until you offered to escort me home.”
“That is because I was mesmerized by the beauty wearing a provocative emerald gown,” he whispered in her ear. His reward was the blush upon her cheeks.
“If we are not going to speak, or dance with anyone else, is there any reason why we should remain?”
“An early departure will invite gossip.” Even though he was not certain if that were the case, Seth was not going to take any chances with Frances’ reputation since his was so tarnished.
“I understand that Tessa has invited you to Athena’s Salon,” she said after a moment.
“Yes, she has. I had assumed you had encouraged her to do so.”
“Those decisions are made by Bethany and Tessa,” she answered and Seth couldn’t help the disappointment because he had hoped it was because Frances had wanted him present.
“I will be in attendance tomorrow evening as I am quite curious.”
“I am certain that the deep philosophical discussions of labor law will be riveting,” Frances offered with a slight smile.
“Yes. I am only there for intellectual discourse.” He chuckled.
“We could share another dance,” Frances suggested as couples began to form sets for a country dance.
