Lanora looked up to find a wild-eyed maid standing in the parlor doorway. Behind her loomed the darkly clad form of Lord William. She stared, feeling as bereft as the maid obviously was. No one visited their home, not after her cold treatment of the first handful of guests, and certainly not men. Definitely not rakes.
“I came to see if you’re in, my lady.” The maid rolled her eyes and grimaced. Obviously, she wanted Lanora to know she’d tried to dissuade Lord William from following her to the parlor.
Lanora brought her feet to the floor and stood. “Apparently I am.” Over the girl’s head, she took in Lord William’s lazy smile. “Could you see if my aunt is about? I’m sure she’d like to greet Lord William.”
“Yes, my lady.” The girl curtsied and hurried away.
He entered, shrinking the room with his presence. Lanora inclined her head in response to his bow. Marking her place, she set theIliadin her chair and moved to the sofa before the low table where refreshments would be served, if he accepted any.
“Would you care to sit, my lord? Shall I call for refreshments?”
“No, thank you. I’ve recently dined.” Two long strides took him to the chair. He scooped up her book. His eyebrows swooped upward as he paged through it. “You read Greek? This Greek?”
Of course, he didn’t think her, a mere woman, capable of reading the manuscript. She shrugged. She didn’t miss the way his gaze dropped from her face to take in the motion. “It passes the time. Do sit, please.”
He snapped the book closed, a sly glint in his eyes. “I’m not here to socialize.”
“That seems highly unreasonable, my lord, as this is the hour for socializing, and you have come to my parlor.”
“I am here to teach you to waltz.”
Lanora swallowed, her treacherous pulse quickening at the thought of his arms about her. “That is not necessary, my lord.”
“But it is. You’ve too fine a form not to be waltzed about every ballroom in London. Think of the grace you’re depriving us all of.”
“I agree,” Aunt Edith said. She entered the room amidst a sea of terriers.
Lanora relaxed at the sight of them. In her experience, city folk baulked when confronted with a swarm of scruffy country dogs. Some of the ladies who’d visited when Lanora and Aunt Edith first arrived in town had even screamed. Lanora smiled at the memory.
Her anticipation turned to surprise as Lord William tossed the book to the table and dropped to a knee in the middle of the parlor. He pulled off his gloves then rubbed unkempt ears and patted shaggy heads. Stubby terrier tails thumped. There wasn’t a single growl. The pups were entranced. Only Aunt Edith’s Skye Terrier, always reserved, remained at her side.
“I heard you’ve prize stock, Lady Edith,” he said. “They don’t disappoint. Irish, Scottish, Welsh and, of course, some fine English lads.”
Wonderful. He liked terriers, and they apparently adored him. Her aunt would take that as a sign.
“And lasses.” Aunt Edith smiled benignly down at her pups. “You are correct, Lord William, Lanora should learn to waltz. I hear it’s all the thing with you young folks. I believe she’s been teaching several of the girls to play. I’m sure one of them can manage a waltz. Come, the pianoforte is in the large parlor.”
“Splendid,” Lord William said, a hint of surprised flickered across his face. With a few more pats for the pups, he stood, then grinned down at her.
“Fine,” Lanora snapped. She frowned at his smile. He thought by winning over her aunt and the pups he could win her, did he? But…why? What on earth possessed a man like Lord William to wish to win her over?
He gestured for Lanora to precede him as Aunt Edith led the way to the large parlor. Not bothering with London manners, Aunt Edith raised her voice as they walked and called for the maid who was most accomplished on the piano. Lanora squared her shoulders, refusing to be embarrassed by her aunt’s behavior.
The maid came scurrying as they entered the parlor.
“Ah, there’s a dear girl,” Aunt Edith said. She settled into a highbacked chair. The ancient fabric of her riding habit rustled as her terriers arrayed themselves at her feet, several laying on her hem. “Be a good girl and play a waltz. Lord William is here to teach Lanora to dance.”
“Yes, my lady.” The girl curtsied, hardly able to drag her eyes from Lord William as she crossed to the piano.
He looked about the cream and blue parlor, his gaze skimming across the furniture. “May I reposition the chairs?”
“As you see fit,” Aunt Edith said.
“I can call a footman,” Lanora offered, watching him approach a sturdy armchair.
The look he cast her was amused. “That won’t be necessary.”
Lanora couldn’t help but watch as he easily lifted the chair and carried it to the side of the room. Several more followed. His shoulders bunched under his well-fitted coat, but he showed no strain. He cut an impressive figure, but then a rake must, for his charms were his weapon.
