“If anyone can fix the tangle, it is Suzanna,” Berry said with sincere conviction.
“We ought to practice the waltz again,” Gwenys blurted, casting a moon-eyed gaze at Gideon as he took off his jacket and flexed his gorgeous muscles while rolling up the carpet in Berry’s music room to create a dance floor. “It is ever so important.”
Gideon turned toward Berry and arched an eyebrow, as though awaiting her instructions. She liked the way he sought her opinion and often took her advice.
He made her feel important. Valued.
Perhaps this was why she was so drawn to him. He did not regard her as a bit of fluff to be patted on the head and dismissed.
“Yes, it is a good idea. Gwenys, you dance first with Mr. Knight. This way, I can see where you each might need improvement. And it is good practice for him to dance with someone who is not as proficient as he is. My apologies, Gwenys. I do not mean to imply that you are not a proficient dancer.”
“Oh, no offense taken. I know I am not very good at this yet.” Gwenys smiled up at Gideon. “But you are a dream, Mr. Knight. You waltz divinely.”
He turned to Berry and winked. “I have an excellent teacher.”
This was why she had never fallen in love before, she realized.
The men she had met over the years, whether honorable or fortune hunters, viewed her as a means to a goal. They didnot see her as a person with hopes, dreams, or talents. And they never considered asking for her opinions. To a man, they saw her as a wealthy heiress and salivated over the prospect of gaining access to her trust fund. The honorable ones might have felt a sense of duty to be a proper husband to her, but what did that mean?
Their idea ofpropermeant not running up large gaming debts and being discreet when setting up a mistress in a townhouse just outside of Mayfair. It had nothing to do with actually valuing her.
But Gideon?
She thought he might be in love withher.
Or perhaps it was merely wishful thinking on her part. She had always wished for a husband like him. One who was strong when he needed to be. Fierce. Protective. Thoughtful. Intelligent. Indulgent but never dismissive.
She knew he admired her.
He also made her feel safe, especially after yet another unsettling incident regarding Lord Hawthorne.
“So, is it to be a waltz?” Gwenys asked. “Now? Can we start now?”
“All right. Miranda, play a waltz,” Berry said in order to stop Gwenys from bouncing up and down and whispering, “Please, please, please.”
Gideon, as expected, took masterful control while he and Gwenys made their way in a graceful circle around the room.
Berry studied them closely.Dear heaven.The man moved with the grace of a jungle cat on the prowl. His every step and twirl powerful. Intensely focused. Irresistible.
He was completely gorgeous and charming. She could not blame Gwenys for being infatuated with him. Everything about this man was seductive.
She helped Gwenys by correcting a few mistakes in her posture.
“And mine?” Gideon asked.
She shook her head and smiled up at him. “Flawless.”
He laughed. “No, seriously.”
“I am being serious. The waltz was made for you. No wonder the patronesses at Almack’s consider it so scandalous. Every young lady will swoon when dancing in your arms.”
He shook his head and cast her a surprisingly endearing smile, all the more surprising because Gideon Knight was not at all soft. “It works both ways. A man might also lose his heart when holding a charming lady in his arms.”
Although Gwenys was in his arms, Gideon was staring straight ather.
Tingles shot through Berry’s body.
Did he mean it? Had he lost his heart to her?
