He stilled. Or was he the fool?
Chapter Sixteen
Joanna stood inthe transformed ballroom of Haven House next to her sister Mariel, Amelia having already found a friend she just had to speak to. Mariel wore a deep blue gown that made her chestnut hair appear lighter than it was. She, herself, had chosen a warm maroon that made her hair appear darker. Lady Astor had outdone herself. She’d created the illusion of a flower garden, complete with fountains, vines, and what appeared to be white doves made of the stone Eleanor Coade had invented. She could just imagine James commissioning a hundred white doves just for his cousin’s ball.
The doors to the real garden were closed as the weather was still cool, but she had no doubt once the dancing started, they would be opened. She would wait until then to sneak outside to their coach to retrievethe bookand return it to the house. She spent the last day reviewing most of it which had given her rather explicit dreams. Because James was in those dreams, she’d blushed while talking to him in the receiving line. Her only hope was to return the book, so he’d think she never had it.
“I believe they are going to start the dancing.” Mariel leaned in. “Lady Elsbeth looks absolutely radiant tonight.”
She did. The young woman wore the prettiest shade of lavender accented with pale blue and deep purple ribbons on her dress and in her hair. The colors brought out the flecks of violet in her blue eyes. “I hear that she and the duke will open the evening with a waltz.”
Mariel’s eyebrows raised at that. “It appears you have much influence over the young lady.”
“Not yet.” She grinned.
The musicians made the last adjustments to their instruments as James and Elsbeth stepped to the middle of the floor. Couples began to join them. She noticed Teddy headed her way. They had agreed to join the first waltz. He bowed graciously. “My lady.”
She gave a quick curtsey. “My lord.”
He led her out onto the dance floor. This would not be an easy dance with Teddy constantly focused on Elsbeth, but she would do her best to make him appear skilled. She glanced in the direction of the guest of honor and her gaze was intercepted by James. He gave her one of his usual truncated nods in acknowledgement before taking his cousin’s hands. She gave him her nod of approval before she and Teddy clasped hands.
The music began and at first, they glided along well. She couldn’t help watching James. His steps were sure as he moved through the beginning of the sets. When the turns were about to start, she glanced again at James’ form, pleased to see he’d lowered his hand for Elsbeth.
“Joanna.” Teddy’s whisper startled her. He grabbed her hand forcibly as she’d been too intent on James’ form to pay attention to Teddy.
She grimaced. “My apologies. I just wanted to be sure they did everything well.”
As he spun her, he frowned. “You should be worrying about me. Have you seen all the men here? Every time she greeted one, my heart stung. I vow, tomorrow I am asking for her hand.”
Concerned by the fervor in her cousin’s voice, she gave him her full attention. “Do you want her to choose you because you’re the only one she knows or because you’re the one she feels strongest about?”
His hands squeezed hers hard. “I don’t care as long as she’s my wife.”
“Teddy, take a deep breath. You’re losing your step. You want her to think you graceful, right?”
He adjusted their pace to flow better with the other dancers. “I love her with all my heart. I’ve never wanted anything so much.”
As she gazed into his stormy gray eyes, she could see he meant every word. But his passion made her concern for him grow. “I understand. We will just have to be sure she sees how fortunate it would be to have you as a husband.”
That seemed to calm him, and as they moved back into the first set of the dance, he even smiled. When it was over, he immediately headed for Lady Elsbeth and Lady Astor, where James had led her.
She returned to Mariel. “I’m concerned about Teddy.”
Mariel looked past her. “I see he is smiling. That shouldn’t be a reason for concern.”
“That isn’t, but his emotions are too strong, and he is jealous of every eligible gentleman in here.”
“You don’t think he’d compromise her, do you?”
At Mariel’s question, she widened her eyes. “I wouldn’t have thought that, but I do think he would if it appears her attentions are moving elsewhere.”
“Oh dear.”
Seeing that Mariel watched Teddy, she quickly pulled open her fan. The exuberance of Teddy’s partnering had left her feeling a bit warm. Unfortunately, no one else was heated yet, so the garden doors remained closed. She’d feel so much better once she’d movedthe bookinto the house. Maybe she could drop it under the settee in the parlor.
As her younger sister, who never lacked for partners, moved into position across from where she stood, she noticed Lady Caroline was partnered by James. That made sense since he was planning to make her his wife. As the two danced, she watched their interactions, trying to see what Amelia saw, but to her they made a beautiful couple. It was rather ironic that the one man she’d truly despised enough to steal a book from would be the one man in four seasons she’d come to respect. No, that she’d come to care about. The thought made her stomach tight, and she sympathized more with Teddy. She hated seeing James dancing with another.
Mariel turned away from the dancing. “I think I would like some punch.”
