“That is how it is done!” Chadburn announced. “Shall we try this one more time while those two recover from what was quite a moving and strenuous activity.”
His brothers chuckled, but His Grace did not.
Was there an underlying meaning to his words that she had not understood?
“I shall ring for tea,” His Grace announced and marched away from her, leaving Judith without a partner.
“That was lovely,” she said.
“It is how the waltz should be and once you become comfortable with it, you will understand.”
Except, no other gentleman had left Penelope breathless, caused her pulse to increase, or her body to warm, which had nothing to do with the exertion of the dance.
It was all very odd indeed and Penelope was not certain what to make of it and feared examining it too closely.
Chapter 6
That waltz was nothing like he had ever danced previously—not even the evening before when his partner had been Lady Penelope. Today he had become lost in the music and her green eyes. Everyone else in the room faded away as they turned from one end of the room to the other. Her responses to his gentle pressure were met without resistance and she allowed him complete control and matched him in the tempo set by the music. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would respond in the same manner in a more intimate situation—allowing him the control to bring pleasure for both—to guide her through the heights of passion and crests of release to the gentle drift back to completion.
No wonder the vicar had warned against such dances! Henry had thought it foolish but now realized how sensual and arousing it could be with the right partner.
Bloody hell!
Lady Penelope was not for him.
When it came time to wed—which should be sooner than he liked—he wanted a sweet wife. A biddable wife. A wife who would not think of arguing with him and accept what he thought best. A wife who was not prone to interfering in the lives of others. Lady Penelope was none of those things.
After requesting tea be served in the parlor, he returned to the drawing room to watch his cousins. The females were now more relaxed and there was less discomfort on the faces of his male cousins.
At least his demonstration of the waltz had helped them, even if it left Henry somewhat disturbed.
It should be put from his mind! It was simply a waltz and for the benefit of his cousins. Once this lesson was complete and they had enjoyed tea, he would likely only encounter Lady Penelope in ballrooms on occasion because he could not imagine that his cousins would need anything further from her.
“That is much better,” Lady Penelope clapped when the tune came to an end. “Shall we conclude for the day.”
“Yes!” Chadburn loudly proclaimed.
“It was not so bad, was it cousin?” Bernice asked.
“My toes will recover, I am sure,” he teased back.
“Tea is to be delivered in the parlor. I am certain you are all quite parched,” Henry announced.
“None for me,” Jude said. “I am not the man of leisure that you are.”
“Nor I,” Vance added. “We must be off to deter criminals.”
He chuckled as the two practically ran from the mansion. They likely feared he might ask them to participate in another activity to help their female cousins acclimate to Society.
“Whereas, I have nothing but time.” Chadburn offered his arm to Lady Penelope to escort her from the drawing room. There was triumph, humor and challenge in his eyes.
While Henry hated that Chadburn was her escort, he reminded himself that it meant nothing and if Lady Penelope wanted to be courted by his cousin, if that turned out to be the case, he would wish them well.
Except, even as the thought crossed his mind, Henry knew that he was lying to himself.
Henry followed the others and by the time he entered the parlor, everyone was seated and Judith was pouring tea. On one settee was Bernice, Damaris and Chloe. On the other was Jael, Lady Penelope and Chadburn, leaving Judith in one of the chairs and the other one open for him.
Did Chadburn really need to sit so close to Lady Penelope? Had he truly formed an attachment to her?
