She grinned. “I’m sure you are well aware that Socrates had much to say on the subject, but no, I will not give a lesson on joy. What I want you to do is look at me when we dance. It will force your mind to think about two tasks at once, and I believe your natural grace will emerge.”
“You think I have natural grace?”
The man couldn’t hide his own smile. She was tempted to hit him on the arm like she did Teddy. Wouldn’t he be surprised by that? “Oh, don’t try to tell me not a single lady in your country life who danced with you ever remarked on your fluidity of movement.”
He opened his mouth to reply.
“Liar.” She laughed at his stunned expression.
“I was just going to admit that you were correct in your surmisal, but if you insist that I am lying then you must be incorrect.” He tried to hold his stern look, but it lasted a mere second before he chuckled.
“As I thought.” She pointed her finger at him. “Now stop asking for compliments and let us see if we can’t get that legendary gracefulness back.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Though his words were mocking, the laughter in his eyes belied their meaning. “I am at your service.”
“I’m quite sure I’m the one in service here. Now come.” She waved him to her.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around her waist yet again and took her hand above her head, but not too high, leaving space for them to move.
She counted. “And one two three, one two three.” As they moved to her beat, she stopped counting. “Now look at me and focus.”
As he lowered his gaze to hers, there was a slight catch in his steps, but then what she hoped would happen did. They began gliding around the room, flowing as one. She beamed at his success, beyond pleased that she’d been a part of it.
He laughed aloud even as he traversed the large room, his blue gaze alight with pleasure. “I see now why the waltz is so popular. It is like throwing away all of life’s woes and sharing a moment of…of joy.” His smile was wide as he gazed down at her.
Before she realized it, he had slowed their pace until they came to stop on the far side of the room.
“Joanna, thank you.” He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead.
His actions sent a thrill into her chest. She titled her head. “I am happy you feel confident now. See how well a man and woman can get on together if they both have learned the same information?” She’d hoped with her change of subject, he would release her, but he didn’t. In fact, he held her closer.
“There are many activities men and women do together because they have the same information.” His gaze became almost predatory as it roamed over her face and neck.
The illustrations from her pilfered book popped into her mind, and she understood what he implied. Heat suffused her cheeks as she desperately tried to force her mind to focus. “Why yes, I’m aware of that.” She looked past him, avoiding the eye contact the book had discussed. As Shakespeare had written, the eyes were the windows to the soul. She was not about to bare her soul to him, no matter how flustered she felt. “For instance, there is shopping, eating, attending the theater, and riding.”
She felt his back muscles stiffen and his breath on her cheek whooshed by.
“Do you enjoy riding?”
The silkiness of his voice had her body responding in most inappropriate ways. Unfortunately, because of how far she’d read in his book, she knew exactly why. She also recognized his reference to riding as a position in mating, though she hadn’t seen that particular illustration yet. For that she was grateful. She dropped her arm from around his waist and tried to lower her other one, but he held tight.
With her heart beating a staccato in her chest, she found it difficult to take deep enough breaths, and the air she took in was scented of him. With brutal force, she made her mind focus. “I have to admit I would rather travel by boat as opposed to riding. It’s so much more comfortable. Don’t you think?”
“Boat?”
She grinned, thankful she read nothing about boats in the purloined book. “Yes. Granted, I’ve only been on small ones on lakes and those types of waters, but the feeling of floating was quite pleasant.” She moved her gaze to his. “I believe you can lower your hand now unless you planned to practice the turns some more. If so, I suggest we try it with the music when Lady Astor returns.”
As if he’d forgotten they’d been standing chest to chest, he dropped her hand and stepped back quickly. “No, I believe I have it now.”
“Excellent.” She pulled her gloves up, keeping her focus on them and not him. “I admit, I was rather curious as to how they stay afloat and even took a few lessons in rowing.” She finally met his confused gaze. “I have quite a knack for that.”
“For what?”
“For rowing.” She waved her hand. “Of course, I only did it for a short while, but it did intrigue me, and I set to reading all about rowers from history to present day. It’s not only an art, but quite an exercise.” She was rambling a bit, but as long as the subjects were not covered inthe book, she would go where her thoughts took her, and hopefully him.
He leaned his shoulder against one of the half-pillars that jutted out on the wall and crossed his arms. “Rowing is far more than quite an exercise. It’s hard labor. Definitely not something a lady should undertake on anything besides a calm pond.”
Based on her sore arms the next day, she silently agreed. “Of course, that is just an example of women and men sharing at task.” She warmed to her favorite subject. “Can you imagine how pleasant it would be for those in the aristocracy to be able to equally share the responsibilities of life?”
