She paused as if purposefully drawing out what she had to say in hopes of keeping him riveted. What he wished to do was turn around and see if Joanna had reentered the ballroom.
“Though it’s probably for the best that we have known each other for a short while. Already, I find myself on the end of insulting barbs couched in smiles.”
He frowned. “Why would the length of time we have known each other cause such rudeness.”
She took out her fan and fluttered it. “I’m afraid that jealousy in women can be quite hateful. There are women in this very room who have made it clear they don’t like that I have so much of your attention. You must understand that many of them would prefer you spend time with them instead of me.” Her coy smile didn’t fit the situation.
Curious about why she brought this to his attention, he decided on a different tactic. “Then it’s best that as the host, I dance with more ladies. I do not want any of my guests to feel slighted.” He gave her a nod and turned away.
She sidled up to him in a moment. “Of course you have your duties. I really don’t mind that they are jealous because I do so enjoy your company.”
He continued to walk toward his aunt, curious as to why Joanna’s younger sister was in the room but not she.
“Don’t forget we have another dance after dinner.”
He stopped, having indeed forgotten. “I think, considering the atmosphere you are having to endure on my account, that we forgo that dance. I don’t want anyone, you, or my other guests to feel uncomfortable.”
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t have to go to such extremes.”
He looked her in her eyes until she stopped smiling. “Nevertheless, that is what I will do.”
Her mouth dropped open in surprise, but he ignored her and strode toward his aunt. Taking out his pocket watch, he was pleased to see that it was almost time for the announcement of supper. He reached his aunt who watched her daughter on the dance floor. The supper dance was finishing up. He glanced among the dancers and not seeing Joanna, leaned in closer to his aunt. “Has Lady Joanna returned yet?”
His aunt’s gaze did not leave Elsbeth. “Not since you made such a stir dancing the waltz with her.”
“A stir? Because I escorted her outside for cool air before checking in on Venus’s foal?”
“Please, James. You don’t have to lie to me. I’m well aware of what occurred, though our guests are just speculating.” She turned her head, her chocolate gaze critical. “You need to decide what she means to you before you have another word with her.” She returned her gaze to Elsbeth.
She hadn’t spoken to him like that since he was two score, after he’d been caught in his cups with not one but two naked women in his bed at Oxford. Now, as then, it kindled his arrogance. “I will speak to her when I deem it appropriate. At the moment, she has not returned to the ballroom.”
The music ended to laughter and clapping before Harrison announced dinner. The repast was set up along one long wall of their formal dining room with various tables scattered about. It allowed people to congregate as they would for the meal. Despite his aunt’s reprimand, he’d planned to escort Joanna in. With that lady suspiciously absent, he did not want Lady Caroline to find him after their last conversation. “May I have the privilege of escorting you into dinner then?”
She didn’t say anything at first, noting instead the young man escorting Elsbeth out of the room. Finally, she cocked her head at him. “Wouldn’t you prefer to dine with someone closer to your age?”
“I feel as host and hostess that we should go in together.”
“Hmmm, very well.” Clearly, she knew that was not his reason, but at the moment, he was happy for her cooperation. As they entered the dining room, he scanned the area for Joanna, but she wasn’t present. Had she gone to his library to ruminate on their kiss? Even at the thought, his mood improved. He very much wanted to know what she thought.
Two old friends of his aunt invited them to sit just as a footman found him. He didn’t need to hear the message to know it had to do with Joanna. Fear skittered up his back. Had she fallen? Did someone else try to kiss her? He motioned to the exit and the footman followed him out. In the relatively quiet corridor, the man gave him a small note.
Some of his anxiousness melted away. Mayhap she wished to meet in private again. Opening it, he read the two words beautifully written across it. Terrace. Now. Not exactly the romantic gesture he’d thought, but nonetheless an invitation to privacy. He nodded to the footman and retraced his steps to the ballroom. All the doors were open now and the night air cooled the suddenly empty room. Striding across the floor he would consider Elsbeth’s night a success. He stepped out onto the terrace. Looking both right and left, he saw no one. Then movement by the cupid fountain caught his eye and he grinned. Jogging down the steps, he strode forward, his arms itching to hold her once again.
As he came upon her, he slowed his anticipation, shifting from the physical to the intellectual. She paced briskly back and forth, which could only mean one thing: she had something on her mind. He stopped, ready to give counsel, advice, reassurance, new ideas, whatever she needed. If he could be as excited by her mentally as physically, could that mean he had discovered that illusive emotion called love? He was very fond of her, but love? He would need to ponder that more fully, though just the idea seemed to lift a weight from his shoulders. “Joanna? You sent for me?”
She started, stopping at the sound of his voice, her back to him.
She must have been deep in thought about this issue to have been unaware of his presence.
Turning to face him, her left hand landed on her hip. “I did. I have a question for you.”
Her calmness in light of her former pacing must mean it was no large matter. So why not ask him at dinner? “What is your question? I will do my utmost to answer it.”
“Why did you suggest I start a school only to then tell everyone that such a school would make my students unmarriageable and to stay clear of them as wives?”
He blinked, trying to comprehend what she’d said, but it made no sense. “I wouldn’t.”
Her eyes narrowed. “But you did. I spoke to all four mothers who are here, who had originally planned to send their daughters to me, and they all said the same. In fact, they said the same exact thing, that you would not recommend their daughters to your friends if they were to attend my school.” She dropped her hand and took two steps toward him, her gaze intense among the garden lanterns.
