He swallowed and met her eyes. “I am sorry. Of course. But this does cause a bit of a problem, does it not? What if you have agreed to share the same dance with two different men?”
Hannah put her hands to her cheeks. “Do not make this worse than it already is. I realize it could become a problem, but what was I—” Her words cracked. “Please go. Please.” She swallowed. “I need a moment to myself.”
He reached forward as if to take her hand before jerking it back. “I need to speak with you, Hannah. There are things I wish to explain.”
“Not now.” She was surprised by her short, clipped tone. But if he did not leave her alone, she feared her facade would break.
His eyes searched hers, and the silent moment stretched on before he said, “Very well. Then when?”
“I do not know.”
Noah huffed a breath as he turned and strode off. A small voice inside of her whispered that she was being too curt—too hard on him, considering he did not ask for any of this either. But she wasn’t sure she could be rational right now, nor could her heart handle hearing him tell her that he had renewed his offer of marriage to Miss Lewiston. There were too many variables, too manywhat ifsto discuss such things here in a ballroom of people.
The next two hours of the evening passed in a haze of spins and gentlemen, of fans flicking in front of women’s faces, and—despite her best efforts—stolen glances at Noah, who was more often by Miss Lewiston than not. He danced with Sarah and one other young woman with whom Hannah was unfamiliar.
Hannah’s current dance partner, Mr. Swinton, led her away as their dance ended, but her attention was fixed on Noah to see where he would go. He walked Sarah to her parents, then remained with them in conversation.
In only moments, like a snake in the weeds, Miss Lewiston slithered through the crowd until she stood beside him once more, staking her claim.
Just as Hannah was about to look away, she stumbled, slamming her shoulder into Mr. Swinton’s side.
“Miss Gibbons,” he said, taking her arm and helping to put her on her feet. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Hannah’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “I apologize. I had not been watching my steps.”
“Do you feel more stable now?”
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “I am fine.”
He smiled down at her. “Then perhaps you could release my arm?”
“Oh.” She pulled her hand back once she realized she was practically squeezing the life from the poor man’s limb. “I am sorry. Maybe I do not feel as well as I had thought.”
His brow pinched. “Do you need something? Some punch perhaps?”
Hannah shook her head. “No, I think I shall be all right. Dinner will be served soon. I may just need to eat something.”
“I could escort you to the refreshments. There is another dance before dinner, and I would hate for you to become faint.”
Hannah looked up to see if Noah was still conversing with Sarah and her parents, but he and Miss Lewiston were nowhere to be seen.
“Yes,” Hannah finally said. “That would be wonderful.”
Mr. Swinton led her out of the ballroom to a large alcove where refreshments were laid out on a crisp, white tablecloth. Blue and white vases were uniformly lined up the center, each with their own bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.
“Goodness.” Mr. Swinton took a small serving plate. “They did not spare any expense for this ball.”
The evening was nearly half over, yet the table was still brimming with all sorts of food. Fruits, breads, rolls, cold meats, and sweets. “No,” Hannah said, eyeing all the food. “They certainly did not.”
Hannah picked at her food, appreciating the relative quiet outside the ballroom until the faint hiss of whispers caught Hannah’s ears. She glanced up, only to find Miss Lewiston standing beside Noah as he filled a small plate of food for her. Hannah placed a hand to Mr. Swinton’s forearm, holding herself up.
“Miss Gibbons?” Mr. Swinton placed the plate down as he supported her.
Hannah snatched her hand back. “I am sorry. I fear I am a bit lightheaded.”
Mr. Swinton retook her plate and began filling it with a renewed vigor. “Here. Why don’t you eat a strawberry for now.”
Hannah slipped her glove off before taking the ripe red fruit. She no longer had the stomach to eat, but it was her only excuse for her behavior, and so she nibbled away at it.
