Thankfully, Lord Harewood did not attempt to engage in conversation because had he done so, she was sure she would lose her count. Then as the last pattern before the turns came to an end, he took her in his arms. Panic filled her as she stared at his chest and tried to remember the count as he moved. She stumbled, catching up, trying to keep in step.
“Look at me.”
The command of his voice brooked no resistance, and she did as told.
“Now, relax and allow me to lead.”
As she had lost the count completely, she held on tightly and let him move her about the floor. His gaze never left her, yet she could feel his arm muscles anticipating the next turn and his hand on her back moved her to the position she needed to be. It took a few minutes, but she began to feel the sway and rhythm and soon found herself studying the color of his eyes instead of paying attention to the dance. They were a bright green like new leaves bursting from their buds, but against that bright backdrop were darker shades that flitted about the edges like shadows. What kind of man dressed in black, kept himself apart from others, yet had such fascinating eyes?
Suddenly, they stopped, the dance over. She wanted to continue. She’d never felt so graceful. His arms left her, and she stepped back as appropriate, giving Lord Harewood her best curtsey. He bowed then held out his arm. “Allow me to escort you to your chaperone.”
Immediately, panic of a different sort set in. She quickly searched the room, not surprised to see her mother slipping outside into the gardens with a man. Desperate to find asuitable chaperone in Lord Harewood’s eyes, her gaze landed on Elsbeth standing with her husband, Lord Mabry not far from the musicians. Elsbeth wore a pale blue dress that matched her eyes and complemented her blonde hair. Her husband’s very dark blue tailcoat complemented her dress just as Aristotle had suggested. “Lady Mabry is my dearest friend and serving as my chaperone this evening.” It wasn’t precisely the truth, but very close.
The lord’s brows rose. “I would have expected your parents, or at the least, your mother. Did she not attend tonight’s ball?”
She put her hand upon his arm. “My mother attends almost every ball, even those held on the same evening. Did you know that in one season, there can be as many as sixty-eight balls held, not to mention the various recitals? Just last week, I attended a recital of the Worthington sisters. They are truly talented. It will be a great loss when one of them marries and no longer graces us with her voice, but I imagine she will then be able to sing to her children. I know it’s not common, but who else could she sing to? It’s not as if she can go on the stage. What a scandal that would be, don’t you agree?”
Lord Harewood stared at her as if he were unsure of her question.
She was about to repeat herself when he nodded. “That would indeed be a scandal. And so we, too, do not create one by remaining on the dance floor, allow me to escort you to Lady Mabry.” He immediately guided her across the room.
Though she couldn’t be sure, she felt that he was anxious to be rid of her, a feeling she was quite used to. She did not cast blame, as she was quite aware it was her fault. If she could stay on one topic for more than a couple of sentences, both ladies and gentlemen wouldn’t be in such a hurry to relieve themselves of her company. But alas, that was not within her abilities, so she was actually grateful that Lord Harewood had not onlyconversed with her, but had continued in her company through a dance. Though, to be fair, she hadn’t spoken a word during their time on the dance floor and so it wasn’t that he had needed to follow her thoughts. Whatever would he think if he knew her thoughts on his eye color?
She smiled at the thought as they approached Elsbeth.
Her friend returned her smile, before addressing her escort. “Lord Harewood, thank you for returning Lady Dorothea to us.”
As the lord in question released her, she stepped next to Elsbeth. “Thank you for the dance. I believe I now have a better understanding of the waltz.”
The man did not smile, but neither did he frown. “And I, Lady Dorothea, have a better understanding of a muddle. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” With that, he strode away.
She watched as he made his way to Lord and Lady Sommerset, who stood near the entrance of the ballroom. It was rather awe-inspiring how quickly he could move through the crowd while avoiding conversation with anyone. Then why had he conversed with her?
“Dory, you must tell me everything. How did you garner a dance with Lord Harewood?” Lady Elsbeth stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the interesting man.
She wanted more than anything to crane her neck to see if he spoke to Lord Sommerset about his time with her, but she’d been taught her manners well. Instead, she focused on Elsbeth. “I didn’t. He asked me.”
Elsbeth winked, much like their teacher, the Duchess of Northwick. “I guessed as much, but how did that happen to occur? Did he stride up to you and ask? Did he accidently bump into you? Did Lady Sommerset and her husband approach you with him in tow?”
She grinned as she remembered his kindness. “He answered a question I had posed to Lady Rose’s companions. Theycouldn’t answer, but he could. He’s very intelligent. We actually conversed for quite some time.”
“You did?” Elsbeth’s light-blue eyes widened in evident surprise. “Do you mean to say he followed your ideas?”
She nodded, her smile growing wider. “He did.” To have someone follow every word she spoke had never happened before. Her classmates understood her in pieces and were not shy about asking her to repeat herself, which she gladly did. It had been refreshing to find ladies of her own age who were willing to listen. Her mother said she prattled far too much and her father wished her to be silent at all times, which she tended to be when he was present, even if her mind continued to think about various and sundry ideas.
Elsbeth patted her arm. “I, for one, am quite pleased for you. You even did well in your waltz. Have you been practicing?”
She grimaced as she remembered Elsbeth practicing with her. “No, but Lord Harewood told me what to do and when.”
Elsbeth’s brows rose. “Now that is not surprising. I understand the man can be very particular about things.”
“I did admit to him when the dance was called that I had not danced the waltz in public before.”
Lord Mabry, who stood next to his wife, chuckled. “I imagine the stodgy Lord Harewood was quite taken aback by your honesty.”
She didn’t know why she felt the need to defend him, but she did nonetheless. “Actually, he appreciated my honesty.”
“I imagine he preferred to be forewarned, then.” Lord Mabry nodded, as if that made the most sense.
