David agreed with Margaret on that point. “Shall we?” She put her arm in his, and they waited to join the next dance. He repressed a groan when he learned it was to be a cotillion. Though it would indeed involve switching partners frequently, it wasn’t a dance that he remembered too well. From the moment he and Margaret paired up, he spied a gleam of interest on Amelia’s face. He managed to stumble his way through the steps until he finally partnered with her.
“I see you did find someone to dance with,” she remarked. “But I don’t know what you were thinking, claiming that I promised you a dance. It was Margaret’s doing, wasn’t it?”
Not entirely, but he didn’t say so. “Your sister was worried about you.”
Annoyance tightened her expression. “Margaret should worry about finding her own husband instead of interfering with me.”
“Perhaps she’s trying to spare you from the man who broke her heart.”
Amelia sobered, just as they switched partners. He left her to mull it over and saw the guilty expression upon her face when she crossed paths with her sister. David was forced to concentrate on the steps he’d forgotten until once again he was paired with Amelia. “I don’t mean to spoil your dreams, but think of me as the older brother looking out for you.”
“You’re nothing like an older brother,” Amelia interjected. When he was about to argue with her, she continued, “An olderuncle, perhaps.”
“I’m not that ancient, Miss Andrews.” Even so, he saw the mischief in her eyes.
“You might need a cane, soon enough. Or an ear trumpet.”
Insolent wretch. And in spite of himself, he smiled. “Stop trying to change the subject. Men like Lord Lisford, who flirt with every woman, will continue to do so even after they marry. He won’t remain faithful.” Whomever the viscount ended up marrying would no doubt be humiliated by a string of Lisford’s paramours.
“Unless he’s besotted with his wife,” Amelia pointed out. “The way you were with yours.”
They switched partners again, and her remark pushed back at the memories David didn’t want to face. He stumbled a moment, thinking of Katherine. Hehadbeen besotted with her, and the fog of melancholy descended once more. He spoke a little to Margaret, but there wasn’t much to say. While he agreed with her assessment of Lord Lisford, Amelia would make her own choices.When he partnered with her one last time, he squeezed her gloved hand tighter.
“Have a care, Miss Andrews. Lord Lisford is indeed a dangerous man, as you said.” He didn’t want her believing that she could reform a man who lived a bacchanalian life, seeking pleasure wherever he could find it.
From the dark look in Amelia’s green eyes, he could see that he’d offended her. She wanted to believe that Viscount Lisford would care enough about her to put aside his past. “I can take care of myself,” she pointed out. “You needn’t concern yourself with me.”
The dance ended, but the viscount did not return to Amelia. Instead, he stood across from another young woman whose name David couldn’t remember. But she wore diamonds around her throat, and that was enough to attract Lisford’s eye.
When Amelia was about to leave, David refused to release her hand, forcing her to join him for the next dance. While she didn’t appear happy about the idea, neither did she protest. He could have this dance with her and speak freely, since Lisford had been her partner earlier.
But this dance turned out to be a reel, and David despised the quicker dances. He felt awkward spinning about the dance floor. And Amelia appeared gleeful at the trap he was caught in.
“Have you finished chiding me about Viscount Lisford?” she asked, whirling alongside him.
David ignored her taunt. “Perhaps Ishould form a list of suitable men for you,” he suggested, “since you’re going to do the same for me.”
“I wasnotintending to give you a list of men.” She sent him a mischievous look. “Unless that’s what you’d rather have.”
Wicked girl. He sent her a disparaging look. “No, thank you. But I could advise you on which suitors are your best marital prospects.”
“You mean the ones my father would approve of.”
“Precisely.” David kept her at his side, keeping her arm in his.
“Let me guess. They would be mature men, with good fortunes, who tell their wives what to do and expect nothing but obedience.”
He strongly suspected that obedience was not Amelia’s better qualities. “Is there any harm in that?”
She cleared her throat. “I would die of boredom within a week.”
His arm moved around her waist, and there was a sudden flush upon her cheeks. Though the gesture meant nothing, he grew conscious of her body beneath the silk. His smile faded as he imagined a woman like Amelia with her hair undone, lying upon a bed.
The image sent a dormant surge of desire bolting through him, and he let go of her waist.
“Send a list to me within the week, if you please. I’ll do the same for you.” He stepped back as the dance ended, needing to move away from her.
“Thank you, but I’ve already found the gentleman I want,” Amelia said softly. “I’ve no need for a list.”
