Harewood gave a nod toward the center of the ballroom. “I will see you after supper. I expect to hear of your success or failure then.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Would you care to predict what she will say?”
Harewood straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. “No.” He turned on his heel and went in search of his own partner.
Andrew smirked before turning back toward the center of the room. As the dancers bowed and curtsied, he pulled down on his white cashmere waistcoat, then made his way to where Lady Amelia had completed her dance. Harewood was correct, she was much sought after. He hadn’t seen her sit out a dance all evening.
Her partner escorted her back to the Duke and Duchess of Northwick, the duchess being the lady’s sister and chaperone for the evening.
It would be a few minutes before the supper dance commenced, so instead, he walked by the table with punch and poured a cup before weaving between the crowd. He watched her, his stomach tightening, hoping she hadn’t forgotten he was her next partner.
She spoke to her sister then turned back toward the dance floor scanning the crowd.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed. “My lady, I believe I am your partner for the next dance.”
She turned at the sound of his voice and a smile lit her face. “Lord Sommerset, I was just looking for you.”
There was something about her that made a person smile, of that he’d been aware in the past and it was no different now. It could be the wisps of pale blond hair that framed her face. Or perhaps it was simply the ever-present twinkle in her uniquely colored eyes. “And so you have found me.” He turned quickly to acknowledge the duke and duchess. The duke appeared bored, but the duchess seemed thoroughly entertained by the event.
Catching Lady Amelia’s eye again, he lifted the punch. “I thought you might like a bit of refreshment before our dance.”
Appreciation shone in her gaze as she reached for the small glass. “How did you know? I was just telling my sister that I haven’t participated in so much activity since before my art show.”
Seeing an opportunity for extended conversation, he pounced on it. “If you would like, we could forgo the next dance.”
She finished taking a sip and gave him a grateful smile. “I would adore that.” She pulled out her fan. “Perhaps we could venture out onto the terrace?”
He tensed. He never went outside with an unmarried lady. Lady Frederica had cured him of any such inclinations. Then again, this was possibly his future wife.
Amelia made her voice louder. “I’m sure the duke wouldn’t mind accompanying us.”
Her ploy worked. The duke moved forward instantly. “It may be too cold to stay long, but I, for one, would enjoy a breath of cooler air.”
Lady Northwick rolled her eyes. “You’d enjoy anything but standing here.”
The man’s expression changed, softened, actually. “That’s because I’d rather be waltzing with you.”
Lady Amelia waved her hand at them. “Don’t pay them no mind. My sister and her husband are quite…unusual.”
He silently agreed with her observation. “I would enjoy some cooler air as well.”
With that decided, he offered his arm and the four of them moved toward the open doors as the dancers took their positions about the floor. The familiar scent of violets filled his nostrils as they walked together, which was far better than the heavy perfumes he’d been exposed to earlier in the evening.
The duke and duchess moved to the right of the terrace, and he steered Lady Amelia that way as well. He halted near the other couple.
“Oh, look.” Lady Amelia disengaged her gloved hand from his arm and pointed to the sky. “Is that not breathtaking?”
He moved his gaze to find a very bright moon hiding behind clouds. “I think it would be far more pleasing if that celestial body showed itself, would it not?”
She shook her head, but didn’t look at him. “Absolutely not. There is no subtlety in that.” Her hand moved to the right. “Look. See how the light filters through the thinner clouds and exits in a soft wash of white? Yet, there.” She moved her finger, still pointing. “There, where the clouds are thickest, the light escapes the sides in bright streaks that reflect on the clouds nearby.”
She was quite serious in her observation, so he studied the light as she described it. He’d never looked at the moon in quite that way. “I see what you mean.” He paused as another cloud attempted to obscure the moon all together, but seemed to think better of it. “That new cloud, instead of dimming the scene, is actually reflecting more light, thereby brightening the sky.” He wouldn’t have noticed such if she hadn’t pointed it out.
She dropped her hand and spun around to look at him. “Exactly.”
Her smile was wide and her eyes, in the limited lantern light, sparkled with excitement. “Moonlight itself is far more subtle than sunlight.”
The duke interjected. “That’s because the moonlight is simply reflected sunlight. Moonlight, per se, does not exist.”
