Lady Astor didn’t fall for Teddy’s charms. “An excellent reply.”
Joanna covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Lady Astor’s ability to know Teddy’s thoughts had been a hurdle for him as he’d confided, but he was all the more up for the challenge.
Once the three had strolled out of doors, she turned toward Northwick to remark on what a delight his aunt was, but her words died on her lips at his gaze. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he’d been studying her and found that she passed muster. His blues eyes seemed to appreciate and admire, but in a puzzled fashion.
Since her “chaperone for propriety’s sake,” her father, was well ensconced in Northwick’s library, she didn’t want him to conclude anything about her either flattering or otherwise. She was simply here to teach him to waltz. “Would you also like to rest?”
“No.” The word was pronounced with the utmost certainty.
“Very well. Then as I was explaining, your position will need to be adjusted based upon the height of your partner. As you saw, Lady Elsbeth and Teddy are close in height, and so it is easy for them. But you are quite tall and even Lady Caroline will need you to bend your arm much more so that there is space between you to allow for movement.”
He stepped up to her again and his arm curved around her waist.
She in turned laid her hand around his back and lifted her arm over her head to a comfortable spot. “Now lift your arm and curve it to grasp my hand.”
He did as she bade him.
“How does that feel?”
He grimaced. “Awkward.”
“Tsk, tsk. These are the machinations you must complete to impress the ladies. For Lady Caroline, you won’t have to curve it quite that much as she is a bit taller than I am.”
“She is?” He’d raised his brows as if surprised by that fact.
She wanted to roll her eyes, but she refrained. “Yes, she is, and as one of her suitors, you should know this.”
“She has other men interested in her hand?”
Until this point, she had considered James Huntington, Duke of Northwick to be a very intelligent man, but in matters of the heart and theton,he appeared to be sorely lacking any kind of knowledge. “Of course she does. I have heard that she’s already turned down two earls and a viscount. Though to be fair, one of those earls was old enough to be her father.”
The doubt that flitted across his face had her hastening to add encouragement. “But you are a duke, who is well established, and more importantly, she does seem to find favor in your looks.”
Now his lips moved into a smirk. “That one item you think is of no consequence.”
She shrugged the best she could considering one of her hands was above her head and the other around his waist, which recalled her to their purpose. “I don’t think the ability to dance the waltz is of particular concern in a mate and yet here I am helping you.”
“Yes, you are. So tell me truthfully because I do know that you can be truthful. Do you think my appearance acceptable for someone like Lady Caroline?”
Could the arrogant, self-assured man in front of her really not know he was remarkably handsome? She studied his face for any kind of subterfuge, but saw none. “Your appearance is more than acceptable. I’m sure many more ladies in addition to Lady Caroline would think you well put together.”
He chuckled. “Well put together?”
“Yes.” She warmed to her subject. “Aristotle said that beauty was about symmetry. Your eyes are equally spaced about your nose, which is straight. I’m sure we could measure and find it was a certain degree that Aristotle would consider appropriate. Your mouth is centered below said nose. Your cheekbones likewise are well spaced and even the jut of your chin lines up perfectly with the center of your forehead. I also believe that Aristotle would approve of your sky-blue eyes contrasting with your dark hair.”
At first, he didn’t say anything, then he broke into a laugh, his arm about her waist tightening, pressing her once again to his chest. “Lady Joanna, I don’t believe there is anyone else like you.”
Having been caught off guard by his movement, she found herself looking into happy smiling eyes. It was such an unusual visage that he took her breath away. Luckily, he set her back and grasped her hand tighter. “Very well, since my appearance is well put together according to Aristotle. It’s time I finish learning these last steps of the waltz.”
She didn’t say anything, still surprised by how much she enjoyed looking into his eyes when he smiled. Instead, she nodded.
The next ten minutes had her complete focus on instructing Northwick. He wasn’t awkward, nor did he stumble, but he hesitated, losing the beat in his effort to place his foot in the right spot. Nothing was natural. Looking up at him, she realized what was wrong. “Stop.”
He did so immediately and stepped back. “It’s not right. I know my steps are right, and my arms are right. Could it be the lack of music?”
She shook her head. “That’s not it. You are so focused on the steps that you’re missing the joy.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” His lips quirked up. “Will you give me another lesson, perhaps one on joy?”
